One in 10 women in the UK is affected by Polycystic Ovarian Morphology Syndrome (PMOS). A new campaign aims to raise awareness and expose the many misconceptions about the condition

A campaign has been launched to raise awareness of a hormonal condition that affects one in 10 women in the UK. Polycystic Ovarian Morphology Syndrome (PMOS) can affect hair growth, periods, fertility and mood. The bid to increase understanding surrounding the condition was launched with PMOS Awareness Month in September. We asked Dr Victoria Sephton, chief medical officer at Care Fertility Birmingham to explain what PMOS is, what are its symptoms, and when you should seek care and support.

What is PMOS and how can it affect fertility?

PMOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions. There is no cure, but treatments and lifestyle changes can help. While many people with PMOS will conceive naturally, the condition can make becoming pregnant more difficult by affecting ovulation, meaning eggs are released irregularly or not at all.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about PMOS is that it automatically means infertility, and that’s simply not true,” says Dr Sephton. “Many people with PMOS go on to have healthy pregnancies without treatment, while others may need additional support to conceive. The important thing is recognising that everybody’s experience is different. Understanding how PMOS is affecting your fertility allows us to recommend the most appropriate next steps, whether that’s lifestyle advice, ovulation support or fertility treatment.”

Symptoms

PMOS symptoms usually start in girls and young women under the age of 18, at puberty, and continue until menopause. It can affect anyone who has ovaries. You may have no symptoms at all, but they can include:

• Irregular periods or long gaps between your periods
• Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) or hair loss
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Oily skin and acne
• Feeling very tired
• Thick, dark patches of skin on the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans)

‘Just relax’ isn’t the answer

Alongside the physical symptoms, one of the biggest challenges for many patients is the emotional impact of living with PMOS. “An emotional rollercoaster is something we see often,” said Dr Sephton. “When you don’t know whether you’re ovulating, it can feel impossible to know where you stand. Patients often organise their lives around cycle tracking and symptom spotting, and that uncertainty can become incredibly draining. Looking after emotional wellbeing is just as important as addressing the medical side of fertility.”

Why PMOS is often misunderstood

Despite affecting millions of women worldwide, 70 per cent of women remain undiagnosed, so PMOS continues to be widely misunderstood. Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person and may include irregular periods, difficulties with ovulation, weight changes, acne and excess hair growth. Because of this, many people can spend years without fully understanding how the condition could affect their fertility.

Knowing when to seek support

While many people with PMOS will conceive naturally, Dr Sephton says it’s important not to ignore persistent concerns or assume time alone will solve the problem.
“Seeking advice doesn’t automatically mean fertility treatment. It means understanding whether you’re ovulating regularly, identifying any additional factors that could be affecting fertility and discussing the options available to you. The earlier we can assess someone’s fertility, the sooner we can provide reassurance or recommend the most appropriate next steps. No one should feel they have to simply keep waiting because they’ve been told to ‘relax’.”