UPDATE - PCOS is now PMOS - an important step forward.

Since we first wrote our blog on PCOS, there has been an important update in the way PCOS is described. Polycystic ovary syndrome has now been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS.

The change matters because the old name didn't fully take into account the complexities of the condition. “Polycystic ovary syndrome” can make it sound as though the condition is mainly about ovarian cysts, when for many people it is much broader than that. PMOS better reflects the fact that this is a complex hormonal, metabolic and ovarian condition, which can affect periods, ovulation, insulin resistance, skin, hair growth, fertility, long-term health and mental wellbeing.

For now, you may still see both names used together as PCOS/PMOS, while healthcare professionals, charities and guidance move over to the new terminology. The name may be changing, but the lived experience has not. Symptoms can still be unpredictable, diagnosis can still feel frustrating, and support still needs to look at the whole person.

That is why the heart of our original blog still stands. Movement, sport and physical activity can play a really valuable role in managing symptoms, supporting insulin sensitivity, protecting long-term health and boosting mental wellbeing. But exercise should never feel like punishment. For people living with PMOS, it is about finding sustainable ways to work with your body, whether that is training, walking, team sport, dancing in the kitchen, or simply moving in a way that feels possible that day.

And that is where period underwear can still help. It will not treat PMOS, but it can remove one small barrier for people dealing with irregular, unpredictable or heavy bleeding. Feeling more secure during sport, exercise or everyday life can make it easier to keep doing the things that support your body and your confidence.

So while the name has changed from PCOS to PMOS, our message has not: your body deserves support, comfort and confidence, on the pitch, in the gym, on stage, at work, or wherever you are moving through your day.