Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which has now been renamed as Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is a common condition affecting women of reproductive age. IF you suspect you may have PMOS but do not have a diagnosis yet, you are not alone and you are not imagining the wait: On 08 September 2025, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on PCOS in the UK published first-ever Parliamentary Inquiry into PCOS, in which it was identified from a survey that more than a third of respondents waited over four years for a diagnosis. The delay happens because there is no single test for PMOS, clinicians can vary in which tests they request before referring on, and symptoms such as irregular periods and acne are often dismissed as normal rather than investigated. An evidence-based, consultant-led pathway, with appropriate testing, timely ultrasound where indicated, and continuity of care, can help make the diagnostic process more coordinated.
Key takeaways
PMOS is a hormonal condition that affects ovulation, androgen levels, and often metabolic health, and it is one of the common reasons women are referred for fertility investigations. For a meaningful proportion of them, a diagnosis takes years. In "Breaking the Cycle", the APPG on PCOS report published in September 2025, over a third of the more than 2,000 women surveyed by 'Verity' had waited more than four years to be diagnosed, and many described being told their symptoms were normal before anyone investigated further.
The Verity survey captures the long tail of that delay. Research on general practice tells a consistent story from a different angle: a 2020 mixed-methods study of 323 women in the British Journal of General Practice found a median lag of six to twelve months between first presenting with symptoms and diagnosis, with wide variation between individual women.
The wait women describe is not a personal failing on their part. It is a predictable result of a diagnosis that depends on experience and expertise in managing the condition rather than a single test.
A multi-year wait is therefore not an isolated experience for women with PMOS. Understanding why the delay happens is the first step to shortening it.
PMOS takes so long to diagnose because there is no single blood test, scan, or symptom that confirms it on its own. The diagnosis instead relies on the Rotterdam criteria, a framework that requires only two of three defined features to be present, so two women can have very different presentations and both genuinely have PMOS. It is also a diagnosis of exclusion and hence it is also important to test for other common hormonal problems.
| Feature | What it looks for | Confirmed by |
|---|---|---|
| Irregular or absent ovulation | Infrequent, irregular, or absent periods | Menstrual history |
| Excess androgens | Acne, excess hair growth, or raised androgen (testosterone or free androgen index) levels in a blood test | Examination and blood tests |
| Polycystic ovaries | A characteristic pattern of follicles (egg containing sacs) on the ovaries (they are NOT cysts on the ovaries!) | Pelvic ultrasound |
Only two of the three Rotterdam criteria need to be present for a diagnosis, and a normal ultrasound does not rule PMOS out if the other two are met. That flexibility is clinically necessary, but it is also why the diagnostic route varies so widely from one woman to the next.
The tests requested along the way vary too. A 2021 study in Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism examined the biochemical tests requested before a diagnostic ultrasound and found only 3% of cases (7 women out of 206) had the initial panel recommended in UK guidance (FSH, LH, testosterone, SHBG, TSH and prolactin) requested together. Requesting fewer than three of the recommended tests up front was linked to a longer wait for an ultrasound that may form part of the diagnostic assessment.
Symptom overlap makes this harder still. Irregular periods, acne, and weight changes are common complaints with many possible causes, and it is easy for any one of them to be treated in isolation rather than recognised as a pattern.
Evidence-based PMOS care starts with a structured pathway rather than an ad hoc sequence of appointments: a detailed history, a defined test panel requested in one round, a pelvic ultrasound, and a clear review against the Rotterdam criteria.
Continuity of care can also be valuable alongside appropriate testing. When the same clinician takes the history, reviews the results, and explains the diagnosis, this can help maintain continuity between appointments, and terms such as androgens or the Rotterdam criteria get explained in plain English at each step, not assumed. At JIVA Fertility, this continuity is built into how we work: our two consultant team brings close to 50 years of combined medical experience and over 25 years of combined experience in reproductive medicine, infertility and reproductive surgery, so PMOS and related conditions are assessed, and appropriately managed where needed, by the same small team.
A diagnosis is also only the start. Evidence-based care means personalised next steps rather than a generic protocol, because PCOS affects fertility, metabolic health, and quality of life differently from one woman to the next. A multi-disciplinary input may be required given the nature of the condition, and you will be referred to appropriate specialists for their input.
Before your next appointment, prepare a clear record: a cycle history covering at least six to 12 months, a timeline of symptoms such as acne, hair growth on the face or body, or weight changes, and any tests already done.
If you have already had one or two GP visits without a clear answer, it is reasonable to ask directly for a specialist referral rather than accepting another round of the same tests. A reproductive medicine specialist can assess which investigations are appropriate and coordinate blood tests and imaging where indicated.
Asking for further assessment or a specialist opinion is not being difficult. Given how widely testing and referral practice varies across UK general practice, asking clear questions and requesting a specialist opinion is a reasonable response.
If you have had symptoms for a while without a clear diagnosis, book a consultation with our reproductive medicine team for an evidence-based assessment.
How is PCOS (or PMOS) diagnosed?
PMOS is diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria, which requires at least two of three features: irregular or absent ovulation, clinical or biochemical signs of excess androgens, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. No single test confirms it alone.
Can you have PCOS with a normal ultrasound?
Yes. Because only two of the three Rotterdam criteria need to be met, a woman with irregular ovulation and signs of excess androgens can be diagnosed with PCOS even if her ovaries look normal on ultrasound.
Why did it take so long for me to get diagnosed?
Diagnostic delay is common and usually reflects the system, not the individual. Research has found wide variation in which tests are requested before a diagnosis, and a 2025 survey found over a third of women waited more than four years, often after symptoms were dismissed as normal.
Is PCOS the same as PMOS?
PCOS was recently renamed to PMOS in updated international guidance, though the underlying condition, diagnostic criteria, and care remain the same. The name change reflects a move away from language centred on ovarian appearance toward one centred on the metabolic features of the condition.
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