Daijiworld Media Network – London
London, Jul 2: The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its first national draft guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), marking the country's first comprehensive clinical guidance for the condition.
Released on July 1, the draft guideline outlines recommendations for managing PMOS and associated conditions, including acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), obstructive sleep apnoea and metabolic disorders.
Previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), PMOS affects an estimated one in eight women and is characterised by irregular menstrual cycles, elevated testosterone levels and ovaries containing multiple small follicles.
Among its recommendations, NICE advises the off-label use of progestogens to regulate irregular menstrual cycles, combined oral contraceptives or spironolactone to treat hirsutism, and metformin to address metabolic health concerns.
The guidance also stresses the importance of effective contraception for patients taking spironolactone because of its potential to cause birth defects.
NICE said weight-loss medicines should not be used to treat fertility problems in people with PMOS except as part of clinical research.
The draft guideline includes recommendations on fertility treatment and weight management, noting that obesity and weight gain are common among people with PMOS and can be difficult to manage.
Healthcare professionals are advised to consider PMOS in girls over the age of 10, women, trans men and non-binary people who experience irregular or absent periods or symptoms associated with excess male hormones, excluding adults undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy or who have undergone gender reassignment surgery.
The guideline also recommends that everyone diagnosed with PMOS be offered an annual health review, as the condition is associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease, mental health disorders and pregnancy complications.
Sharon Manship, a lay member of the NICE guideline committee who lives with PMOS, said it took more than a decade for her to receive a diagnosis.
She expressed hope that the new guideline would lead to earlier diagnosis and better evidence-based care for people living with the condition.
Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical adviser for women's and reproductive health at NICE, described PMOS as a common but frequently overlooked condition with significant long-term health implications.
She said the recommendation for annual reviews would help ensure patients receive consistent monitoring and ongoing care while improving awareness, diagnosis and management of the condition.
The draft guideline is open for public consultation until August 11, 2026, with NICE expected to publish the final guidance in December 2026.