PMOS (formerly PCOS) Support
Support for irregular periods, acne, metabolic health and fertility
PMOS NATUROPATH · MAROOCHYDORE, SUNSHINE COAST & ONLINE
PMOS can look quite different from one woman to the next. I see women with irregular or absent periods, acne, unwanted facial hair, changes in their weight or blood sugar, or difficulty working out whether they’re ovulating. Some are diagnosed while investigating fertility, while others have suspected for years that something isn’t quite right with their cycle.
PMOS is the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. The name was changed in 2026 because the condition can affect hormonal, metabolic and reproductive health, and ovarian cysts aren’t required for diagnosis. You’ll probably continue to see both names used for some time.
I want to understand your menstrual history, the symptoms you’re experiencing and what’s already been investigated. From there, I can work out what may need attention first and whether any further testing would be useful.
PMOS can affect more than your period
PMOS may be worth investigating if you experience:
Irregular, widely spaced or absent periods
Difficulty knowing whether you’re ovulating
Acne or oily skin
Unwanted facial or body hair
Thinning hair around the part line or crown
Heavy bleeding after going several months without a period
Difficulty conceiving
Changes in blood glucose or cholesterol
You don’t need to experience all of these symptoms to have PMOS, and it can affect women across different body sizes.
Acne, unwanted hair and scalp hair loss can be related to increased androgen activity, but they can also have other causes. I wouldn’t assume they’re due to PMOS without looking at your cycle, blood results and the wider pattern.
Acne, unwanted hair and scalp hair loss
Some women with PMOS experience persistent acne, increased facial or body hair, or thinning through the part line and crown. These symptoms can be upsetting and shouldn’t be dismissed as cosmetic.
They may be related to increased androgen activity, even when previous blood results have been described as normal. However, I don’t assume every skin or hair concern is caused by PMOS.
I want to know when the changes began and what was happening with your menstrual cycle at the time. I also review relevant blood results and any hormonal treatment or medication you’re taking.
With scalp hair loss, I consider iron levels, thyroid function and nutritional intake as well. If I think medical or dermatological assessment would be useful, I’ll let you know.
What is PMOS?
PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect ovulation, menstrual cycles, androgen activity and fertility. It can also influence blood glucose and cholesterol over time.
Despite the former name, you don’t need to have ovarian cysts to be diagnosed. The features sometimes seen on an ultrasound are developing follicles rather than cysts.
In adults, diagnosis usually requires at least two of the following:
Irregular or absent ovulation
Signs of increased androgen activity, such as unwanted facial hair, or elevated androgens on a blood test
Polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound or, in some adults, an AMH result used as part of the diagnostic process
Other possible causes of the symptoms need to be considered first. If irregular cycles and signs of increased androgen activity are already present, an ultrasound or AMH test may not be needed to confirm the diagnosis. AMH shouldn’t be used as a standalone test for PMOS.
If your history suggests PMOS but you haven’t been diagnosed, I can help you understand what may need to be investigated and what to discuss with your GP.
Irregular periods need attention
Some women with PMOS have unpredictable periods, while others go several months without one. When bleeding eventually occurs, it can be heavier or last longer than expected.
I want to know how long your cycles usually and what the bleeding is like when it arrives. Long gaps shouldn’t be ignored because the lining of the uterus isn’t shedding regularly.
It’s also important to know that bleeding while taking the contraceptive pill doesn’t tell us whether you’re ovulating or whether your natural cycle has become more regular.
PMOS can also affect blood glucose and cholesterol. I review any existing results and recommend further testing when I think it would change how we approach treatment.
Weight and metabolic health
Women with PMOS are often told to lose weight without being given much practical support. For some women, weight changes may be relevant to treatment. But for others, weight isn’t the main issue.
PMOS occurs across a range of body sizes. Changes to food, movement and sleep can still support blood glucose regulation and menstrual health even when weight doesn’t change.
There isn’t one diet that suits everyone with PMOS. I consider what you currently eat, your appetite, metabolic results, exercise and any history of restrictive dieting before making recommendations.
You won’t be placed on a low-carbohydrate, gluten-free or dairy-free diet just because you have PMOS. Any dietary changes need a clear reason and should be realistic for you to maintain.
Assessment and Testing
Before recommending treatment, I want to understand your cycle pattern, current symptoms and whether PMOS has been confirmed or only suspected. I also review any previous hormone, glucose, cholesterol and iron results.
Your medication, hormonal contraception and supplements matter too. I want to know what you’ve already tried and whether it made any noticeable difference.
Further testing can be useful if the diagnosis is unclear, your periods have been absent for several months or your metabolic health hasn’t been assessed recently. Depending on your history, I may recommend hormone testing, thyroid function, prolactin, blood glucose, cholesterol or pelvic imaging with your GP.
An oral glucose tolerance test can provide more information about glucose regulation in PMOS than fasting glucose or HbA1c alone. I wouldn’t use a single fasting insulin result to explain your whole presentation or determine all of your treatment.
What Treatment Might Involve
Treatment depends on which features of PMOS are affecting you and what you want help with. Your main concern might be irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair, blood glucose regulation or fertility. I don’t use the same insulin-focused diet and supplement protocol for every woman.
Depending on your presentation, I might recommend changes to your meals, nutrient intake or exercise. Practitioner-prescribed supplements or herbal medicine can also be considered where they have a clear purpose.
Digestive symptoms aren’t used to diagnose PMOS, but I still want to know about them. Bloating, constipation or food reactions can affect what you’re able to eat and how well you tolerate treatment. I don’t assume PMOS is caused by the gut or recommend digestive testing based on the diagnosis alone.
Treatment can be used alongside the contraceptive pill, metformin or fertility care.
PMOS and Fertility
PMOS can make ovulation irregular or difficult to identify, but having PMOS doesn’t mean you won’t be able to conceive.
If pregnancy is something you’re considering now or in the future, I look at your cycle history, whether ovulation appears to be occurring and any relevant blood results. Preconception nutrition, current medication and supplements are also reviewed.
You don’t need to wait until you’re actively trying to conceive before discussing fertility. If I think ovulation assessment or medical fertility support would be useful, I’ll recommend it. Naturopathic care can also be used alongside ovulation medication or fertility treatment.
Initial Consultation
You may have been diagnosed with PMOS but still feel unsure what the diagnosis means for you or what treatment should focus on.
During your initial consultation, I review your menstrual history, current symptoms, existing results and what you’ve already tried. From there, I’ll explain what I think needs attention first, whether anything further should be investigated and what treatment may involve.
Consultations are available in Maroochydore and Forest Glen on the Sunshine Coast, as well as online Australia-wide.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. In May 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome was renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.
The new name more accurately reflects the condition’s hormonal, metabolic and reproductive features. Because PCOS remains widely recognised, you will continue to see both terms during the transition.
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No.
The ovarian changes associated with PMOS are multiple developing follicles rather than abnormal ovarian cysts. Some women meet the diagnostic criteria without polycystic ovarian morphology.
Diagnosis considers ovulation, androgen activity and ovarian morphology after other possible explanations have been assessed.
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Yes. PMOS occurs across different body sizes.
Body weight alone can’t confirm or exclude the condition. Menstrual patterns, androgen-related features, metabolic health and appropriate medical investigation are more informative.
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Often, yes.
I’m not here to persuade you to start or stop hormonal contraception, metformin or another prescribed treatment. Recommendations can be developed alongside medication, with potential interactions and your wider treatment plan considered.