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Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is a condition that causes an imbalance in hormones in women. These hormone changes can cause problems with weight, reproduction, skin and other physical changes, and mental health. It can lead to health risks such as

and

.

Understanding polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome seniors wellness hormone health is important for seniors and their caregivers. pMOS was previously called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The name was changed to reflect the fact that PMOS is a complex condition that affects many systems in the body, not just the ovaries. The name PMOS more accurately describes how the condition affects women and may help lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

PMOS is linked to changes in hormone levels within the body. The reasons for these changes are unclear. The hormones affected are:

• Estrogen and progesterone, which control ovulation and menstrual cycles
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which control how ovaries function
  
• Testosterone, a male hormone (also produced in women)
• Insulin, which regulates blood sugar

Women with PMOS have cycles where ovulation does not occur every month which may contribute to

The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the high levels of male hormones and the body not responding to insulin properly (insulin resistance).

Most of the time, PMOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl’s periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has similar symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

Symptoms of PMOS can vary from person to person. Some people with PMOS have no symptoms or only have minor symptoms. Some women discover that they have PMOS when they try to become pregnant. PMOS can cause symptoms in different systems within the body.

Menstrual and reproductive symptoms:

• Not getting a period after you have had one or more normal ones during puberty (

  secondary amenorrhea

  )

• Irregular periods that may come and go, and be very light to very heavy
• Pregnancy complications
• Increased number of small cysts in the ovaries (many women don’t develop cysts)
• Infertility

Metabolic symptoms:

• Insulin resistance, with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Weight gain and difficulty losing weight

• High cholesterol

  and

  high blood pressure

• Fatigue
• Sleep apnea

Mental health symptoms:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Eating disorders

Hormonal and skin symptoms:

• Extra body hair that grows on the chest, belly, face, and around the nipples (

  hirsutiusm

  )

• Hair loss

• Acne

  on the face, chest, or back

• Skin changes, such as dark or thick skin markings and creases around the armpits, groin, neck, and breasts (

  acanthosis nigricans

  )

• Male characteristics (

  virilization

  ), such as deepening of the voice

• Decrease in breast size and enlargement of the clitoris (rare)

The development of male characteristics is not typical of PCOS and may indicate another problem. The following changes may indicate another problem apart from PCOS:

• Thinning hair on the head at the temples, called male pattern baldness