PCOS is finally getting a new name: welcome to SMOP (Polyendocrine Ovarian Metabolic Syndrome)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects about one in every 8 to 10 women of childbearing age, has just been renamed. As of May 2026, following an unprecedented international consensus published in The Lancet, it is officially known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
This change is not just a matter of vocabulary. It marks a revolution in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of a condition that has long been misnamed and underestimated. If you suffer from irregular cycles, persistent acne, excessive hair growth, unexplained weight gain, or difficulty conceiving, this article is for you. We’ll break down what this new name actually means in practice, review the clinical signs, and, most importantly, explain why a complementary approach—such asosteopathy and Tecar therapy —can transform your daily life, in addition to conventional medical care.
Why Was the Name of PCOS Changed? A Historical Consensus
The term “polycystic ovaries” has been misleading for decades. It suggested that the condition was simply a matter of cysts on the ovaries, which is false on several levels:
- These are not true pathological cysts, but rather follicles whose maturation has been blocked.
- Many women who have been diagnosed show no signs of polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound.
- The name focused attention on the ovaries and fertility, while overlooking the metabolic aspects (insulin resistance, risk of type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity, cardiovascular disease) and polyendocrine aspects (multiple hormonal imbalances affecting the entire endocrine system).
The result: delayed diagnosis (up to 70% of affected women go undiagnosed), a journey through the healthcare system, stigmatization (“it’s just a weight or fertility issue”), and fragmented care.
The process of change, led by Professor Helena Teede (Monash University) and the Global Name Change Consortium, lasted more than 14 years. It involved more than 22,000 patients and healthcare professionals across six continents and 56 organizations, and resulted in a 97% consensus. The new name, SMOP, finally highlights the three pillars of the disease: polyendocrine (multiple hormonal imbalances), metabolic (insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, cardiometabolic risks), and ovarian (reproductive dysfunction).
What this means in practice:
- Greater recognition of the disease as a systemic and chronic condition, not just a gynecological one.
- Earlier diagnosis and comprehensive care from the outset (metabolism, mental health, sleep, etc.).
- Less stigma and better treatment adherence.
- Greater openness to further research and targeted funding.
- The diagnostic criteria (Rotterdam or 2023 international guidelines) remain the same: at least 2 of the 3 criteria must be met (ovulatory dysfunction, clinical or biological hyperandrogenism, or polycystic ovarian morphology), after ruling out differential diagnoses.
The transition to SMOP is gradual (over approximately 3 years), but patients already diagnosed with PCOS are now considered to have SMOP.
The clinical signs of SMOP: much more than just an ovarian problem
SMOP is a heterogeneous condition. There are several phenotypes depending on the combination of symptoms. The most common manifestations are as follows:
- 1. Troubles du cycle menstruel et fertilité Cycles irréguliers (> 35 jours ou < 21 jours), oligoménorrhée (moins de 8 règles par an), aménorrhée, saignements abondants ou imprévisibles. Anovulation chronique → infertilité (première cause d’infertilité anovulatoire). Risque accru de fausses couches et de complications obstétricales.
2. Signes d’hyperandrogénie
- Hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, and back).
- Persistent or late-onset acne (resistant to conventional treatments).
- Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss on the top of the head).
- Sometimes a deeper voice or increased muscle mass.
- 3. Metabolic Disorders and Weight Gain: Insulin resistance (even in slim women), hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome. Tendency to gain weight easily, especially around the abdomen (visceral fat). Difficulty losing weight despite efforts. A 3- to 7-fold increased risk of type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Other common symptoms
- Chronic fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, depression (3- to 4-fold increased risk).
- Sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea.
- Chronic pelvic pain, lower back or pelvic tension (often underestimated).
- Acanthosis nigricans (darkened skin in skin folds), skin tags.
- Bloating, digestive problems (possible link to the gut microbiota).
Many women experience multiple symptoms without anyone making the connection to an overall hormonal imbalance. That is precisely what the new term SMOP aims to address.
Diagnosis: What Should You Do If This Sounds Like You?
See your primary care physician, gynecologist, or endocrinologist as soon as possible. The evaluation includes:
- Detailed medical history + clinical examination (Ferriman-Gallwey score for hirsutism, etc.).
- Blood tests: total and free testosterone, SHBG, LH/FSH, AMH (often elevated), fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, HbA1c, lipid profile, TSH, prolactin (to rule out differential diagnoses).
- Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound (number of follicles and ovarian volume)—but this criterion is no longer required if the other two are met.
- Sometimes a glucose tolerance test or other diagnostic tests.
Important: This diagnosis is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is necessary to rule out congenital adrenal hyperplasia, secretory tumors, Cushing's syndrome, etc.
Conventional Medical Care: The Essentials
Care for SMOP is multidisciplinary and tailored to the patient’s age, desire to become pregnant, phenotype, and comorbidities. The pillars are:
- Lifestyle: A 5–10% reduction in body weight → dramatic improvement in menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and fertility in many patients. An anti-inflammatory diet, regular physical activity (aerobic exercise + strength training), and effective stress and sleep management.
- Medical treatments: estrogen-progestin contraception (to regulate cycles and treat hyperandrogenism), metformin or inositol (to improve insulin resistance), antiandrogens (spironolactone, etc.), and ovulation-inducing agents if pregnancy is desired (letrozole is often the first-line treatment).
- Screening and management of health risks: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, mental health, endometrial cancer (prevention through progestin therapy or the birth control pill).
Osteopathy: A Valuable and Complementary Form of Support for Women with SMOP
Osteopathy does not cure PCOS (no manual therapy does), but it is an excellent complement to a comprehensive treatment plan. Many patients report an improvement in their overall well-being, a reduction in pain, and sometimes more regular cycles when they combine osteopathy with their medical care.
How does osteopathy work?
Osteopaths take a holistic approach to the body, addressing its structure (spine, pelvis, diaphragm), internal organs (uterus, ovaries, intestines), fascia, and the autonomic nervous system.
Potential benefits observed in SMOP patients:
- Improved pelvic and abdominal circulation: better blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, and optimized lymphatic and venous drainage. This can help reduce feelings of pelvic heaviness and promote a healthier local hormonal environment.
- Release of visceral tension: restored mobility of the uterus, ovaries, and ligaments. Adhesions or restrictions in mobility (whether post-inflammatory or related to chronic stress) can be loosened.
- Effects on the autonomic nervous system: cranial and vagus nerve techniques → reduction in chronic stress (elevated cortisol worsens insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism). Improved neuroendocrine regulation.
- Relief from pelvic and lower back pain, which is common in these patients (pelvic floor hypertonicity, myofascial tension due to hormonal imbalances or weight gain).
- Improved posture and diaphragmatic breathing → better tissue oxygenation and reduced abdominal tension.
- Fertility support: By optimizing blood flow and pelvic mobility, some patients report an improvement in their overall condition (in addition to medical treatments).
- Effect on overall well-being: reduced anxiety, better sleep quality, a feeling of “greater physical freedom.”
Osteopathy fits perfectly into a multidisciplinary approach (involving an endocrinologist, gynecologist, nutritionist, and physical therapist).
Tecar Therapy: Relieving Pain and Stimulating Tissue Regeneration
Tecartherapy (Capacitive and Resistive Electrical Transfer) is a radiofrequency physical therapy technique that generates controlled deep diathermy. It works without excessively heating the skin and allows for treatment of deep tissues (muscles, fascia, joints, and pelvic organs).
PCOS is finally getting a new name: welcome to SMOP (Polyendocrine Ovarian Metabolic Syndrome)
Many women with SMOP experience chronic pelvic pain, pelvic floor tension, low back pain, or dyspareunia (pain during intercourse). Tecar therapy is particularly beneficial in these cases:
- Improved microcirculation and tissue trophism through thermal effects and ionic mobilization.
- Reduction of inflammation and myofascial tension.
- Rapid relief from pelvic and lower back pain (recent studies show greater effectiveness when combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation for chronic pelvic pain).
- Faster recovery after physical exertion or in cases of excess weight.
- Targets the deep soft tissues of the pelvis and abdomen.
Tecar therapy is painless, well tolerated, and can be combined with osteopathic sessions for a synergistic effect: the osteopath releases restrictions, while Tecar therapy improves blood flow and tissue regeneration.
Complementary treatments at the clinic: osteopathy + Tecar therapy
At our practice, we offer an integrated and personalized approach for women with SMOP. After a comprehensive osteopathic evaluation (detailed medical history, range-of-motion tests, and visceral and structural palpation), we develop a customized treatment plan that combines:
- Visceral and structural pelvic osteopathy sessions.
- Tecar therapy targeted at painful or restricted areas (pelvis, lower back, abdomen).
- Advice on posture, breathing, and self-guided exercises (pelvic plank, diaphragmatic mobility).
- Coordination with your medical team (providing feedback as needed, with your consent).
This approach in no way replaces endocrinological or gynecological care, nor does it replace lifestyle and dietary measures, which remain the foundation of treatment. It serves as a complementary approach to relieve physical symptoms, improve quality of life, reduce pain, and optimize overall health.
Many patients tell us that they feel more connected to their bodies, experience less tension, and enjoy a greater sense of overall well-being, which helps them stay on track with their overall care plan.
In conclusion: SMOP, an opportunity for fairer and more comprehensive care
The renaming of PCOS to SMOP is excellent news. It finally acknowledges the complexity of this condition and allows women to receive care that meets their needs—medical, metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and somatic.
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis, and consider a complementary approach that includes osteopathy and Tecar therapy. These gentle and effective techniques can help you regain mobility, relieve your pain, and feel better in your body every day.
Would you like to learn more or schedule an appointment for a personalized assessment? Contact our practice. We are trained to support women with hormonal and metabolic imbalances, and we work closely with other healthcare professionals. Together, we can make a difference in your journey with SMOP.
Take care of yourself. Your body deserves your full attention.
Marie Messager
Osteopath, D.O.
in Versailles
