Women with PMOS should have yearly NHS checks, says health watchdog

Women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) should have annual checks so doctors can spot the wide-ranging health issues that can come with this complex condition, says new advice for the NHS.

PMOS, which affects around one in eight women, used to be known as polycystic ovary syndrome but was renamed in May to better reflect the broad impact it can have across the body.

In its draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) urges faster diagnosis along with better monitoring.

PMOS is a major cause of female infertility. Symptoms can include irregular periods, excessive hair growth and weight gain.

Despite between three and four million women having the condition in the UK, PMOS is still under-diagnosed and inconsistently managed, says NICE, the watchdog that decides which NHS treatments provide value for money.

According to the NHS the main symptoms of PMOS are:

• irregular or absent periods
• difficulty getting pregnant
• excessive hair growth on the face and body
• weight gain
• hair loss from the head
• oily skin or acne

The new guideline recommends the annual checks cover not just the main symptoms, but also longer-term associated risks, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Lifestyle changes, as well as treatment, could help to prevent more serious illness, says NICE.

There is no cure for PMOS but the NHS already offers treatments to manage the symptoms, including hormone support and fertility drugs.

The new guidance is clear that laser and light therapies for hair reduction are not recommended due to the cost.

Kelis Bailey, 21, began experiencing symptoms of PMOS as a teenager but says it took a year of "going back and forth" with doctors before she was diagnosed.

"When it was at its worst, my mental health was also at its worst," she says.

"When I went to the doctor one time, she had never heard of [PMOS] which I was quite shocked at."

Kelis describes annual health checks as a "really good idea" that will reassure women, but says greater awareness of the condition and its long-term impact is also needed.

Many women report difficulties understanding the potential cause of their PMOS symptoms or delays in diagnosis.

If PMOS is suspected, doctors may use blood tests to assess hormone levels and ultrasound scans to look for the multiple follicles often seen on the ovaries of those affected.

The NICE guideline recommends when to suspect PMOS, how to assess women and how to diagnose the condition.

It also says PMOS should not be discounted in women who have been through the menopause.

PMOS is thought to be more common in women of black, Asian and mixed ethnicity, and healthcare professionals "should consider this when assessing symptoms", NICE says.

Living with PMOS can have a significant impact on mental health and quality of life too, and the draft guidelines say depression and anxiety are common.

For those planning a pregnancy, advice on weight, diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep and mental health is recommended.

Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical advisor for women's and reproductive health at NICE, said recommending a "simple" annual review was an "important step".

"This new guideline will help improve consistency of care, increase awareness of the condition, and support earlier diagnosis and management."

The draft guideline is open for consultation from 1 July to 11 August 2026, and NICE is inviting feedback from healthcare professionals, patients and the public.

Final guideline is expected to be published in December 2026.

Additional reporting by Georgia Levy-Collins and Yasmin Malik.

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