Doctors urge early PMOS diagnosis as Pakistan study reports 48.5% prevalence

KARACHI: Doctors and reproductive health experts have urged women to seek early medical assessment for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), as a recent study reported a 48.5% prevalence among Pakistani women studied.

The finding highlights the scale of a condition that remains widely underdiagnosed, with the World Health Organization estimating that PCOS affects 10% to 13% of reproductive-aged women globally and that up to 70% of affected women may not know they have it.

The Pakistani figure comes from a study included in a 2026 review of PCOS prevalence across different populations. The study, conducted among women aged 16 to 40 in Pakistan, reported a 48.5% prevalence using the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria. The figure should be understood in the context of the study population and methodology rather than as a national prevalence estimate for all Pakistani women.

For decades, the condition was widely understood through the lens of its traditional name, PCOS, which placed emphasis on the ovaries and the presence of cysts. However, the condition is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder, and not all women with it develop polycystic ovaries.

In 2026, an international consensus process involving clinical, academic and patient organizations adopted Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) as the new name for the condition. The change was intended to better reflect its broader endocrine, metabolic, ovarian and reproductive characteristics.

To address persistent misconceptions, gynecologists and endocrinologists at Aga Khan University Hospital organized a media roundtable, “PMOS: Beyond Periods and Pregnancy,” as part of PMOS Awareness Month.

The specialists emphasized that PMOS should be viewed as a multisystem, long-term condition affecting menstrual health, hormones, metabolism, skin and emotional well-being, rather than solely as a reproductive or fertility disorder.

“For too long, PMOS has been seen only as a fertility problem, and that narrow view has done women a disservice. The condition touches almost every part of a woman’s health, from her hormones and her weight to her heart and her state of mind. When we catch it early and treat the whole person, women do remarkably well,” Dr Asma Ahmed, consultant endocrinologist at AKUH, told Pakistan TV Digital.

“In South Asia, we see a unique metabolic profile where even lean or thin women frequently develop PMOS due to underlying insulin resistance,” she added. “We have to move away from the belief that weight is the only indicator. Screening must look at the full endocrine picture before metabolic complications take root.”

Experts said symptoms can vary significantly from woman to woman and may include irregular or missed menstrual cycles, persistent acne, thinning scalp hair, excessive facial or body hair growth, skin darkening around body folds and changes in weight.

Because some symptoms can appear gradually or occur in isolation, women may overlook them or treat them as separate concerns, contributing to delays in diagnosis.

Experts also stressed that irregular periods alone do not establish a diagnosis and that PMOS cannot be diagnosed through a pelvic ultrasound or online searches alone. A proper assessment requires a medical history, clinical examination and appropriate investigations based on the individual patient.

Left unmanaged, the condition is associated with increased risks of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity and other longer-term health complications. WHO also identifies increased risks of metabolic and cardiovascular problems among women with PCOS.

“The most common mistake we see is women diagnosing themselves online or ignoring the signs out of embarrassment. Irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, or persistent acne are worth a conversation with a doctor, not a search on the internet. There is no single cure, but with the right guidance, most women can manage PMOS and live full, healthy lives,” said Dr. Sumaira Naz, Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician at AKUH.

She added that the condition can also carry an emotional burden because of symptoms such as acne, excessive hair growth and changes in weight, making mental health an important part of comprehensive care.

While there is no single cure or one-size-fits-all treatment, experts emphasized that individualized medical care, sustainable lifestyle changes, balanced nutrition and regular follow-up can help women manage the condition and reduce associated health risks.