Medical experts officially renamed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrin Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (SMOP) on May 12 [4].
The change aims to shift the medical perspective from a strictly gynecological issue to a systemic metabolic disorder. By redefining the condition, health professionals intend to improve the overall management and treatment of patients who suffer from the syndrome.
The announcement took place during the European Congress of Endocrinology held in Prague, Czech Republic [5]. The previous name, PCOS, focused heavily on the ovaries, whereas the new designation, SMOP, highlights the endocrine and metabolic dimensions of the disease [1, 2].
Prevalence estimates for the condition vary across reports. Some data suggests it affects one in 10 women [1], while other figures place the prevalence between 10% and 13% of women of reproductive age [2]. Other reports estimate that one in eight women is affected, representing more than 170 million women globally [3].
Advocates for the change said the metabolic focus is critical for long-term health. The shift addresses the broader risks associated with the syndrome, including cardiovascular health. In France, cardiovascular deaths occur in women at a rate of one every seven minutes, or 200 deaths per day [6].
By framing the syndrome as a metabolic and endocrine disorder, physicians can better integrate multidisciplinary care. This approach allows for a more comprehensive strategy to manage the systemic symptoms that extend beyond reproductive health [1, 2].
“The change aims to shift the medical perspective from a strictly gynecological issue to a systemic metabolic disorder.”
The transition from PCOS to SMOP represents a paradigm shift in women's health, moving the condition from a localized reproductive issue to a systemic metabolic one. This change is likely to influence how insurance providers categorize the disease and how primary care physicians screen for comorbidities like diabetes and heart disease, potentially leading to earlier intervention and lower cardiovascular mortality rates.
