Although 1 in 8 women experience complications from this chronic illness, many spend years or even decades seeking an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Symptoms of PCOS—now PMOS— can range from unnoticeable to unbearable, and no two women share an identical experience. Effects may be gynecological, psychological, dermatological, metabolic, cardiovascular, and even neurological. PMOS can also put women at risk of life-threatening conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, and complications during pregnancy.

I believe that if my doctor had more carefully considered the hormonal and metabolic effects of PMOS, I could have received more effective healthcare years ago. Instead of merely managing symptoms and going in circles with doctors about weight loss, I could have addressed the root of the problem. I hope that the new name for this condition will encourage healthcare providers to consider its whole-body effects, leading to faster diagnoses and more relevant treatments for women worldwide.

Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.