{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreifmqlafznbwlklua3rfhvwshlszgmcgmcoi55w4ss2obgpe4gkfvu",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpletg7fjr62"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiewse6bf7jibhijangfyvhprg3uu4nj5b33hy4c2i6w7gut7n2gxq"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 1946681
  },
  "path": "/health/polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-irregular-period-check-nhs",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-01T09:24:08.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Fears NHS will repeat deadly maternity mistakes despite new review",
    "Britons warned of preventable obesity deaths as toll set to hit 45 a day",
    "Ebola alert hospital issues major update on patient's condition after conducting tests",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDraft NHS guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence calls for millions of women experiencing irregular menstrual cycles to undergo screening for a chronic hormonal disorder.\n\nThe recommendations target those with absent or disrupted periods who also display indicators of elevated male hormones, urging investigation for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nApproximately one in eight women across Britain is affected by the condition, representing up to four million individuals nationwide.\n\nHowever, a significant proportion remain unaware they have PMOS, prompting health officials to push for swifter identification and improved ongoing care for those already diagnosed.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe condition was previously termed polycystic ovarian syndrome until international medical experts advocated for a revised name that better reflects its wider systemic impact beyond the ovaries alone.\n\nPMOS manifests through irregular or absent menstruation combined with signs of heightened androgens, the male hormones responsible for symptoms such as excessive hair growth.\n\nNice officials are now pressing for the syndrome to be identified at an earlier stage in affected women.\n\nThose with a confirmed diagnosis should receive yearly consultations with their general practitioner, enabling proper monitoring of symptoms and treatment effectiveness whilst managing risks associated with potential long-term complications.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDespite campaigning from some quarters, the guidance declined to endorse NHS-funded laser hair removal treatment for hirsutism, the excessive hair growth triggered by elevated male hormones in PMOS sufferers.\n\nNice estimated that providing such treatments would burden the health service in England with costs reaching £100 million annually.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Fears NHS will repeat deadly maternity mistakes despite new review\n  * Britons warned of preventable obesity deaths as toll set to hit 45 a day\n  * Ebola alert hospital issues major update on patient's condition after conducting tests\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOfficials cited insufficient clinical evidence and doubts regarding cost-effectiveness as grounds for the decision.\n\nNevertheless, the draft recommendations do propose alternative approaches for managing unwanted hair growth, including the prescription of the contraceptive pill.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAdditional guidance encompasses fertility treatment options, psychological support services, and advice on lifestyle modifications alongside other clinical interventions available to patients.\n\nPMOS represents a lifelong medical challenge that substantially elevates the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, and fatty liver disease.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPregnancy complications also occur more frequently among those with the syndrome.\n\nThe condition's impact on daily life frequently contributes to depression and anxiety, while eating disorders affect PMOS patients at disproportionately high rates.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMarie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical adviser for women's and reproductive health at NICE, said: \"PMOS is a common but often overlooked condition that can have a major impact on health and wellbeing.\n\n\"Recommending a simple annual review is an important step towards ensuring people get the ongoing care and monitoring they need.\"\n\n**\n**\n\n**\n**\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Millions of women with irregular periods to be offered checks under new NHS guidance"
}