What this means
This review argues that PMOS may shift from an ovary and fertility problem into a wider metabolic and hormone problem over a woman's life. It proposes a new way to think about the condition, but it does not test that idea directly.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the abstract. The original is below.
- Who it was tested in
- A review of earlier work; no new study participants reported
- Kind of research
- A summary of earlier studies
The science
- Original title
- When Does Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Change Definition? A Lifespan Perspective on Menopause and Metabolic Health.
- Authors
- Mazza AD
- Journal
- Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
- Published
- Oct 12, 2026
- Study type
- Review
- PMID
- 42863604 ↗
Abstract
The evolving concept of Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) reflects a growing recognition that this condition extends beyond reproductive dysfunction and ovarian morphology to encompass complex interactions among metabolic, endocrine, inflammatory, and cardiometabolic pathways. While PMOS is most commonly diagnosed during the reproductive years, increasing numbers of affected women are now entering perimenopause and menopause, highlighting important limitations of current diagnostic paradigms. Traditional reproductive markers-including ovulatory dysfunction and ovarian morphology-become progressively less informative with advancing age, raising questions about whether the diagnosis remains relevant after menopause. Despite the attenuation of ovarian manifestations, many women with a history of PMOS continue to exhibit persistent metabolic and endocrine abnormalities, including insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, dyslipidemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, chronic low-grade inflammation, and elevated cardiovascular risk. Emerging evidence suggests that these metabolic consequences may persist across the lifespan and contribute to trajectories of accelerated cardiometabolic aging. This review examines the challenges of applying reproductive-age diagnostic frameworks to midlife and older women and proposes a lifespan model in which PMOS evolves from a predominantly ovarian and reproductive syndrome into a broader metabolic-endocrine phenotype. We explore the clinical implications of this transition for risk assessment, long-term surveillance, and therapeutic decision-making during perimenopause and beyond. As understanding of PMOS continues to evolve, menopause may represent not the end of the syndrome, but rather a shift in its clinical expression. Reframing PMOS as a dynamic lifespan condition may provide a more comprehensive approach to the care of women across aging and support the development of age-appropriate diagnostic and management strategies.
Mazza AD When Does Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Change Definition? A Lifespan Perspective on Menopause and Metabolic Health. Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 2026. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2026.09.113. PMID: 42863604. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42863604/