NICE Guidelines for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) was renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) in May 2026
Status: The final guideline is expected from NICE in December 2026. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Status: The final guideline is expected from NICE in December 2026. Last reviewed: September 2026.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is producing the first national clinical guideline for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), the condition formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Verity, the UK charity for PMOS (registered charity no. 1097599), is a registered stakeholder in its development, and a Verity trustee sits on the NICE guideline committee.
This is a significant moment. PMOS affects around one in eight women and people assigned female at birth in the UK, and until now it has never had a national clinical guideline. Care has varied by region, by practice, and by how hard an individual has been able to push.
This is a significant moment. PMOS affects around one in eight women and people assigned female at birth in the UK, and until now it has never had a national clinical guideline. Care has varied by region, by practice, and by how hard an individual has been able to push.
What is PMOS?
PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is a lifelong endocrine condition affecting around one in eight women and people assigned female at birth in the UK. It was renamed from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) following an international review, because the old name described only one feature of a condition that affects multiple body systems.
PMOS is associated with irregular or absent periods, excess hair growth, hair loss, acne, difficulties with weight, and problems conceiving. It also carries increased long-term risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and endometrial cancer.
If you were diagnosed with PCOS, you have PMOS. The condition has not changed; the name has.
PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is a lifelong endocrine condition affecting around one in eight women and people assigned female at birth in the UK. It was renamed from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) following an international review, because the old name described only one feature of a condition that affects multiple body systems.
PMOS is associated with irregular or absent periods, excess hair growth, hair loss, acne, difficulties with weight, and problems conceiving. It also carries increased long-term risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and endometrial cancer.
If you were diagnosed with PCOS, you have PMOS. The condition has not changed; the name has.
What is a NICE guideline?
NICE is the body that sets national, evidence-based clinical guidance for health and social care in England, and its guidance is widely adopted across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A NICE guideline sets out what good care looks like for a given condition: how it should be diagnosed, what treatments should be offered, and what monitoring should follow.
A NICE guideline is not law, and it does not come with its own budget. What it does is establish a national standard that patients can point to and that services are expected to work towards.
NICE is the body that sets national, evidence-based clinical guidance for health and social care in England, and its guidance is widely adopted across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A NICE guideline sets out what good care looks like for a given condition: how it should be diagnosed, what treatments should be offered, and what monitoring should follow.
A NICE guideline is not law, and it does not come with its own budget. What it does is establish a national standard that patients can point to and that services are expected to work towards.
What the guideline is expected to cover
Based on the draft published for consultation, the guideline addresses:
Based on the draft published for consultation, the guideline addresses:
- how PMOS is diagnosed, including the role of blood tests and ultrasound
- an annual review for everyone with a PMOS diagnosis
- monitoring for long-term metabolic and cardiovascular risk
- treatment for symptoms including excess hair, hair loss and acne
- medicines including metformin and weight-management treatments
- support with fertility, including ovulation induction
- care during pregnancy
- mental health and psychological support
What this means for you
Once published, the guideline gives you something concrete to refer to in appointments. If you are told a test, a referral or a treatment is not available for PMOS, you will be able to ask how that decision sits alongside national guidance.
It is worth being realistic about pace. A guideline changes what services are expected to do; it does not automatically change what they are funded and staffed to do. Implementation is decided locally, by the organisations that plan and fund NHS care in each nation, and that will take time.
Once published, the guideline gives you something concrete to refer to in appointments. If you are told a test, a referral or a treatment is not available for PMOS, you will be able to ask how that decision sits alongside national guidance.
It is worth being realistic about pace. A guideline changes what services are expected to do; it does not automatically change what they are funded and staffed to do. Implementation is decided locally, by the organisations that plan and fund NHS care in each nation, and that will take time.
Verity's role
Verity has campaigned for a national guideline for PMOS for more than fifteen years. We are a registered stakeholder in this guideline, which means NICE is required to consider the comments we submit. A Verity trustee sits on the guideline committee.
During the consultation on the draft, we asked our community to read it and tell us what to say. 315 people responded. We submitted fourteen comments to NICE built on their evidence.
Read our consultation response
Verity has campaigned for a national guideline for PMOS for more than fifteen years. We are a registered stakeholder in this guideline, which means NICE is required to consider the comments we submit. A Verity trustee sits on the guideline committee.
During the consultation on the draft, we asked our community to read it and tell us what to say. 315 people responded. We submitted fourteen comments to NICE built on their evidence.
Read our consultation response
Frequently asked questions
When will the NICE guideline for PCOS be published?
NICE is expected to publish the final guideline for PMOS, formerly PCOS, in December 2026. A draft was published for public consultation in 2026 and stakeholder comments closed in August 2026. NICE normally publishes stakeholder comments and its responses to them alongside the final guideline.
What is PMOS and why was PCOS renamed?
PMOS stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. The condition was renamed from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) following an international review. The previous name was considered medically inaccurate, because it described cysts on the ovaries rather than the hormonal and metabolic features that define the condition.
Does the NICE guideline apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
NICE guidelines are developed for England, and are widely adopted across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. How the guideline is implemented is decided separately in each nation by the organisations that plan and fund NHS care, so timing and availability of services may differ.
Is a NICE guideline legally binding?
No. A NICE guideline sets a national standard for good care, but it is not law and does not carry its own funding. Services are expected to work towards it, and patients can reasonably ask how local decisions align with it.
Will the guideline mean I can get treatments I have been refused?
Not automatically. The guideline describes recommended care, but access to specific treatments also depends on funding rules, local commissioning decisions and eligibility criteria that sit outside the guideline itself. Verity is campaigning on those decisions separately.
What is Verity's role in the NICE guideline?
Verity is the UK charity for PMOS and a registered stakeholder in this guideline, which means NICE is required to consider our comments. A Verity trustee sits on the guideline committee. We surveyed 315 people with PMOS during the consultation and submitted fourteen comments based on their responses.
When will the NICE guideline for PCOS be published?
NICE is expected to publish the final guideline for PMOS, formerly PCOS, in December 2026. A draft was published for public consultation in 2026 and stakeholder comments closed in August 2026. NICE normally publishes stakeholder comments and its responses to them alongside the final guideline.
What is PMOS and why was PCOS renamed?
PMOS stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. The condition was renamed from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) following an international review. The previous name was considered medically inaccurate, because it described cysts on the ovaries rather than the hormonal and metabolic features that define the condition.
Does the NICE guideline apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
NICE guidelines are developed for England, and are widely adopted across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. How the guideline is implemented is decided separately in each nation by the organisations that plan and fund NHS care, so timing and availability of services may differ.
Is a NICE guideline legally binding?
No. A NICE guideline sets a national standard for good care, but it is not law and does not carry its own funding. Services are expected to work towards it, and patients can reasonably ask how local decisions align with it.
Will the guideline mean I can get treatments I have been refused?
Not automatically. The guideline describes recommended care, but access to specific treatments also depends on funding rules, local commissioning decisions and eligibility criteria that sit outside the guideline itself. Verity is campaigning on those decisions separately.
What is Verity's role in the NICE guideline?
Verity is the UK charity for PMOS and a registered stakeholder in this guideline, which means NICE is required to consider our comments. A Verity trustee sits on the guideline committee. We surveyed 315 people with PMOS during the consultation and submitted fourteen comments based on their responses.
