Experts: Common Women's Condition Needs a New Name Jan. 24, 2013
-- What’s in a name? If it’s polycystic ovary syndrome, a lot of
confusion, says a panel of experts convened by the NIH -- and
they’re calling for a change. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting about 1
in 10 women in the U.S. It’s also a major cause of infertility.
But as doctors have learned more about the complex condition,
they’ve changed the way it’s diagnosed. As a result, a woman
doesn’t necessarily have to have polycystic ovaries to have
PCOS. What’s more, for many women, the consequences of the
disease extend beyond the ovaries. Recent research suggests PCOS
may set women up for a variety of long-term health problems,
including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, heart attacks, and perhaps some kinds of cancers.
The current name, experts say, doesn’t adequately reflect that.
“It does have a branding problem in the sense that people assume
that it’s all about obesity