Why Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Needed a Name Change: Lúcia Helena Explains the Shift

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Brazilian endocrinologist Lúcia Helena de Oliveira Cruz has long advocated for a name change for the condition commonly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Now, after years of debate, the medical community in Brazil has officially adopted her proposed terminology: SOMP—an acronym for Síndrome dos Ovários Multicísticos (Multicystic Ovary Syndrome). The shift reflects growing recognition that the condition’s symptoms extend far beyond reproductive health, impacting metabolic function, mental well-being, and long-term disease risk.

The decision, announced in May 2026, was formalized by the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) and aligns with international trends toward more precise diagnostic language. While PCOS remains widely recognized globally, critics argue the term is misleading—implying a focus on ovarian cysts when the syndrome’s broader metabolic and hormonal disruptions are often more clinically significant.

Why the Name Change?

Dr. Cruz, a professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), has been a vocal proponent of the SOMP nomenclature for over a decade. In an interview with UOL, she explained that the original term—síndrome dos ovários policísticos—emphasizes cysts as the primary feature, while ignoring the syndrome’s systemic effects.

PCOS is not just about cysts; it’s a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder that increases the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers. The name should reflect that reality.

—Lúcia Helena de Oliveira Cruz, endocrinologist and UNIFESP professor

The new acronym, SOMP, better captures the syndrome’s multicystic nature while acknowledging its systemic impact. The change also avoids gendered language—policísticos (polycystic) implies a female-specific condition, whereas multicísticos (multicystic) is more neutral and aligns with emerging research on male and non-binary presentations of the syndrome.

Medical and Public Health Implications

The rebranding is not merely semantic. Endocrinologists and public health experts in Brazil say the shift could improve early diagnosis and treatment. Many patients—particularly those with atypical symptoms—are misdiagnosed or delayed in care because their symptoms (e.g., insulin resistance, hirsutism, or irregular cycles) are dismissed as unrelated.

According to the SBEM, SOMP affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age in Brazil, making it one of the most common endocrine disorders. Yet, fewer than 30% of affected individuals receive a formal diagnosis, partly due to outdated terminology and diagnostic criteria.

Dr. Cruz’s advocacy has also highlighted disparities in access to care. In a 2025 study published in the Brazilian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, her team found that Black and low-income women in Brazil were twice as likely to be misdiagnosed with SOMP/PCOS compared to white, higher-income patients. The name change, she argues, could help standardize diagnostic protocols and reduce inequities.

International Context: A Global Debate

Brazil’s move parallels discussions in other countries. In 2024, the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AE-PCOS) in the U.S. Proposed adopting Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) with Hyperandrogenism to better reflect the syndrome’s hormonal drivers. Meanwhile, researchers in Australia have suggested Metabolic Ovarian Dysfunction Syndrome as an alternative to emphasize its metabolic risks.

However, not all experts support renaming the condition. Some argue that PCOS is deeply embedded in medical literature, and changing terminology could create confusion without immediate clinical benefits. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet endorsed any alternative names, though it recognizes the need for clearer diagnostic criteria.

What Comes Next?

In Brazil, the SBEM is developing updated clinical guidelines for SOMP, expected to be published by late 2026. These will include revised diagnostic algorithms and treatment protocols, with a stronger focus on metabolic management (e.g., lifestyle interventions, insulin-sensitizing medications).

Dr. Cruz’s work has also sparked broader conversations about patient advocacy in endocrinology. She notes that many SOMP patients report feeling dismissed by healthcare providers who associate the condition solely with infertility or weight stigma. The name change, she hopes, will prompt a shift toward holistic care.

For now, both SOMP and PCOS will likely coexist in clinical practice, at least temporarily. But as Brazil’s endocrinology community embraces the new terminology, it signals a potential turning point in how the syndrome is understood—and treated—worldwide.