Everything Every Woman Needs to Know: Understanding the Hormonal Condition Affecting 1 in 8 Women
If you've recently been diagnosed with PMOS (formerly known as PCOS), or you're wondering whether your symptoms could be hormone-related, you're not alone.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has long been recognised as one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Yet despite affecting around 1 in 8 women globally, it remains one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed conditions in women's health. Many women wait years for a diagnosis, often being told their symptoms are "normal," to lose weight, or simply to go on the contraceptive pill.
The good news? The conversation is changing.
In 2026, following an international consensus involving thousands of healthcare professionals, researchers, and women living with the condition, PCOS was officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). This new name better reflects what the condition truly is: a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects far more than just the ovaries.
Whether you're navigating irregular periods, acne, fertility concerns, weight changes, or simply trying to understand your body better, this guide will walk you through the science behind PMOS/PCOS and help you understand what your body may be trying to tell you.
What Is PMOS/PCOS?
PMOS/PCOS is a chronic endocrine (hormonal) and metabolic condition that affects the way your ovaries, hormones, and metabolism work together.
Contrary to what the old name suggested, it is not simply a condition of ovarian cysts.
In fact:
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Not every woman with PMOS/PCOS has polycystic ovaries.
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The "cysts" seen on ultrasound aren't actually cysts - they're immature follicles that haven't completed ovulation.
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Many women are diagnosed without any ovarian changes on ultrasound at all.
The new name, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, reflects the fact that the condition affects multiple hormone systems (polyendocrine), metabolism, and ovarian function - not just one organ.
Why Was the Name Changed?
For years, women and healthcare professionals argued that "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" didn't accurately describe the condition.
The term caused several problems:
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Many women assumed they couldn't have PCOS because they didn't have ovarian cysts.
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Some healthcare providers focused too heavily on ultrasound findings instead of symptoms.
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The name ignored the significant metabolic, hormonal, skin, mental health, and fertility aspects of the condition.
After more than a decade of international collaboration and consultation with over 22,000 people worldwide, experts agreed that a new name was needed. The updated terminology aims to improve understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage earlier diagnosis.
Importantly, only the name has changed. The diagnostic criteria and evidence-based management recommendations remain the same.
What Causes PMOS/PCOS?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that PMOS/PCOS has a single cause.
It doesn't.
Current research suggests it develops through a combination of:
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Genetics
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Insulin resistance
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Hormonal dysregulation
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Chronic low-grade inflammation
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Environmental and lifestyle factors
Each woman experiences the condition differently, which is why symptoms can vary so dramatically.
Genetics: PMOS/PCOS tends to run in families.
If your mother, sister, or close female relatives have the condition, your risk is significantly higher.
Researchers have identified multiple genes that influence insulin regulation, hormone production, and ovarian function. Rather than one "PCOS gene," it's thought to involve many genes interacting with environmental factors.
Insulin Resistance: The Driver Behind Many Symptoms
If there's one concept every woman with PMOS/PCOS should understand, it's insulin resistance.
Insulin is the hormone that helps move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells, where it's used for energy.
When your cells become less responsive to insulin, your pancreas compensates by producing more insulin.
This is known as insulin resistance.
High insulin levels don't just affect blood sugar.
They also:
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stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens (male-type hormones)
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interfere with normal ovulation
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increase inflammation
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promote fat storage
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worsen cravings
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contribute to acne and excess hair growth
Research suggests insulin resistance is present in a large proportion of women with PMOS/PCOS, although not every woman is affected to the same degree. It can occur in women of all body sizes, not only those carrying excess weight. .
Androgens: When "Male Hormones" Become Too High
Women naturally produce small amounts of androgens, including testosterone.
These hormones are important for:
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bone health
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muscle strength
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libido
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normal ovarian function
Problems arise when androgen levels become too high.
Excess androgens can lead to:
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hormonal acne
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excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
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thinning hair on the scalp
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irregular ovulation
This is why PMOS/PCOS often affects both appearance and fertility.
Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation:
Another hallmark of PMOS/PCOS is chronic low-grade inflammation.
Unlike the inflammation you experience with an injury or infection, this is a persistent, subtle activation of the immune system.
Over time, inflammation may:
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worsen insulin resistance
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contribute to hormone imbalance
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affect egg quality
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increase long-term cardiovascular risk
While inflammation isn't considered the sole cause of PMOS/PCOS, it plays an important role in how the condition develops and progresses.
The Symptoms of PMOS/PCOS
No two women experience PMOS/PCOS in exactly the same way.
Some may have regular periods but struggle with acne. Others may have no acne but experience infertility.
Some are slim. Others gain weight easily.
This is why the condition has historically been difficult to diagnose.
Let's explore the most common symptoms and why they happen:
Irregular or Missing Periods
This is often the first sign.
Healthy menstrual cycles rely on regular ovulation.
In PMOS/PCOS, hormonal signals between the brain and ovaries become disrupted, meaning ovulation may occur less often or not at all.
Without ovulation:
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periods become irregular
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cycles become longer than 35 days
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periods may disappear altogether
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bleeding can become very heavy after long gaps
Irregular periods are an important clue that hormones may be out of balance.
Difficulty Falling Pregnant
PMOS/PCOS is one of the leading causes of ovulatory infertility.
The key word here is ovulatory.
Because ovulation doesn't happen regularly, there are fewer opportunities for an egg to be released and fertilised.
This doesn't mean women with PMOS/PCOS can't fall pregnant.
Many do - naturally or with medical support.
The focus is often on restoring regular ovulation and improving overall metabolic and reproductive health.
Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne typically appears:
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around the jawline
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chin
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neck
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lower cheeks
Unlike teenage acne, it tends to be deeper, more inflamed, and more persistent.
Higher androgen levels stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands, leading to increased oil production and clogged pores.
Excess Hair Growth (Hirsutism)
One of the most distressing symptoms for many women is unwanted hair growth.
This may appear on the:
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chin
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upper lip
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chest
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abdomen
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back
Again, higher androgen levels are usually responsible.
Not every woman experiences this symptom, but when present, it can significantly affect confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Hair Thinning
While androgens stimulate hair growth on the face and body, they can have the opposite effect on the scalp.
Many women notice:
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widening part lines
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thinning at the crown
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increased shedding
This pattern resembles male-pattern hair loss and can occur gradually over several years.
Weight Changes
Not every woman with PMOS/PCOS is overweight.
However, many find it unusually difficult to lose weight despite eating well and exercising.
This is largely linked to insulin resistance, which influences:
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appetite regulation
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fat storage
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energy use
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blood sugar stability
Importantly, extra weight does not cause PMOS/PCOS. Rather, the hormonal changes associated with PMOS/PCOS can make weight management more challenging.
Fatigue and Brain Fog
Many women describe feeling:
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exhausted despite sleeping
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mentally foggy
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unable to concentrate
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low in motivation
While fatigue isn't part of the diagnostic criteria, it's a commonly reported symptom and may be linked to insulin resistance, inflammation, poor sleep, psychological distress, or other associated conditions.
How Is PMOS/PCOS Diagnosed?
There isn't a single blood test that can diagnose PMOS/PCOS.
Instead, healthcare professionals use a combination of your symptoms, medical history, blood tests, and sometimes an ultrasound. The current international guidelines recommend the Rotterdam Criteria, where a diagnosis is made if two out of the following three features are present, after excluding other conditions:
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Irregular or absent ovulation, usually seen as irregular or infrequent periods.
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Signs of excess androgens, either through symptoms (such as acne or excess hair growth) or blood tests showing elevated androgen levels.
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Polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound (multiple small follicles in the ovaries).
Importantly, you do not need to have ovarian cysts to be diagnosed with PMOS/PCOS. Likewise, having polycystic-looking ovaries on an ultrasound alone does not automatically mean you have the condition.
Can PMOS/PCOS Affect Your Long-Term Health?
PMOS/PCOS affects hormones and metabolism, and can influence your health throughout your life.
Research shows that women with PMOS/PCOS have an increased risk of:
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Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
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Prediabetes
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High cholesterol
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High blood pressure
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Fatty liver disease
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Sleep apnoea
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Cardiovascular disease risk factors
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Anxiety and depression
This doesn't mean these conditions are inevitable. Early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle habits, and appropriate medical care can significantly reduce these risks.
PMOS/PCOS and Fertility
One of the biggest fears many women have after a PMOS/PCOS diagnosis is whether they'll ever be able to have children.
The answer is reassuring: many women with PMOS/PCOS go on to conceive naturally or with medical support.
The main fertility challenge is that ovulation may not occur regularly. Without ovulation, there are fewer opportunities for pregnancy.
Supporting ovulation through lifestyle changes, medical treatment where necessary, and evidence-based nutritional support may improve reproductive health. If you've been trying to conceive without success, it's important to speak with your healthcare provider or a fertility specialist.
Managing PMOS/PCOS: A Whole-Body Approach
There is currently no cure for PMOS/PCOS, but it can be effectively managed.
Because every woman's symptoms are different, treatment should always be personalised.
Prioritise Blood Sugar Balance
Since insulin resistance plays a major role for many women, eating in a way that supports stable blood sugar can make a meaningful difference.
Aim to:
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Include protein with every meal.
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Eat plenty of fibre-rich vegetables.
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Choose wholegrain carbohydrates where possible.
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Limit sugary drinks and highly processed foods.
Rather than following restrictive diets, focus on building balanced, nourishing meals you can maintain long term.
Move Your Body Regularly
Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, supports cardiovascular health, reduces stress, and may help regulate ovulation.
The best type of exercise is the one you enjoy enough to do consistently.
A combination of strength training, walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga can all be beneficial.
Prioritise Sleep and Stress Management
Poor sleep and chronic stress can worsen insulin resistance and hormone imbalance.
Simple habits such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, limiting screen time before bed, practising mindfulness, or spending time outdoors can all support your nervous system.
Where Jooce Fits Into Your Hormone Journey
While supplements are not a replacement for medical care, they can be valuable tools when used alongside healthy lifestyle habits and guidance from your healthcare professional.
Depending on your symptoms, Jooce offers several products designed to support different aspects of hormone health.
Hormone Balance Powder provides ingredients such as Myo-Inositol, NAC, Magnesium Glycinate, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chromium and CoQ10 to support insulin sensitivity, cycle regulation, blood sugar balance, energy and fertility.
Pure Inositol Powder (sachets and tub) contains Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro Inositol in the researched 40:1 ratio to support healthy ovulation, insulin signalling and reproductive health.
Berberine may help support healthy blood sugar regulation and metabolic function.
Think Zinc supports skin health and optimal hormone function.
Spearmint Tea has been studied for its potential role in supporting women with elevated androgen symptoms such as hormonal acne and unwanted hair growth.
Remember, supplements work best when they're part of a consistent routine that also includes balanced nutrition, movement, sleep and stress management.
The Jooce Takeaway
PMOS/PCOS is complex, but it doesn't define you.
Understanding what's happening inside your body is one of the most powerful steps you can take. When you recognise that symptoms like irregular periods, acne, cravings, fatigue or fertility challenges are all connected, it becomes easier to support your hormones with confidence instead of confusion.
Progress doesn't happen overnight, but small, consistent changes can have a lasting impact. Nourishing your body, supporting your hormones, staying active, managing stress and working with your healthcare team all play an important role.
Your hormones are always communicating with you. The more you understand their language, the better equipped you'll be to support your health.
References (Harvard Style)
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) (2023) International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Birmingham, AL: ASRM.
Azziz, R., Carmina, E., Chen, Z. et al. (2016) ‘Polycystic ovary syndrome’, Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2, 16057.
Endocrine Society (2026) International consensus adopts new name for PCOS. Available at: https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2026/pcos-name-change (Accessed: 18 August 2026).
Escobar-Morreale, H.F. (2018) ‘Polycystic ovary syndrome: Definition, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment’, Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 14(5), pp. 270–284.
Monash University (2026) International Evidence-based Guideline for PMOS/PCOS. Available at: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/mchri/pcos/guideline (Accessed: 18 August 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2024) Polycystic ovary syndrome. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/ (Accessed: 18 August 2026).
Teede, H.J. et al. (2023) ‘Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome’, Human Reproduction, 38(9), pp. 1607–1631.
World Health Organization (2025) Polycystic ovary syndrome. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome (Accessed: 18 August 2026).
