Women diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) should receive an annual NHS health review and be diagnosed earlier to reduce their long-term health risks, according to draft guidance released by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).The guidance, now open for public consultation, recommends yearly reviews to monitor symptoms, treatment and the risk of developing serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Earlier diagnosis, NICE says, could help people access timely care and make lifestyle changes before complications develop.PMOS, until recently known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), was renamed following an international consensus published in The Lancet. The new name better reflects the condition's endocrine, metabolic and ovarian features.What Does The Draft Guideline Recommend?Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of WomenNICE recommends that everyone diagnosed with PMOS should be offered an annual review covering:Menstrual irregularitiesSymptoms such as excess hair growth (hirsutism)Medication useScreening for long-term health risks, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseaseThe guideline also includes recommendations on fertility treatment, stating that eligible patients should be offered IVF in line with existing NHS fertility guidance. It also addresses the management of common PMOS-related conditions, including acne, hirsutism and obstructive sleep apnea.Given the increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in people with PMOS, the guidance directs healthcare professionals to relevant NICE recommendations for managing these conditions.Earlier Diagnosis A Key PriorityRead More: Teplizumab: UK NHS To Roll Out World-First Drug To Delay Onset Of Type 1 DiabetesThe draft guideline highlights that PMOS remains underdiagnosed despite affecting an estimated one in eight women.It recommends investigating PMOS in anyone with irregular or absent menstrual cycles alongside signs of excess male hormones, as these are common indicators of the condition.The guidance covers girls aged over 10, as well as adult women, trans men and non-binary people who are not receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgery.People with suspected PMOS should be offered blood tests to measure hormone levels and, where appropriate, pelvic ultrasound scans. The guideline also states that PMOS should not be ruled out after menopause and notes that the condition may be more prevalent among women of Black, Asian and mixed ethnic backgrounds.Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical adviser for women's and reproductive health at NICE, said the guidance is intended to improve consistency of care and ensure people receive appropriate long-term monitoring."PMOS is a common but often overlooked condition that can have a major impact on health and well-being. Recommending a simple annual review is an important step towards ensuring people get the ongoing care and monitoring they need," Ledingham said, in a statement.Mental Health And Fertility AddressedThe draft guidance recognizes that PMOS affects far more than reproductive health. It is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, pregnancy complications and fertility problems.For people planning a pregnancy, NICE recommends advice on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep and mental wellbeing to improve reproductive outcomes.The guidance also stresses that eating disorders should not be overlooked or dismissed based solely on a person's weight.Laser Hair Removal Not RecommendedWhile the draft guideline includes recommendations to manage hirsutism, it does not support routine NHS funding for laser and light-based hair removal therapies. NICE concluded that these treatments are not cost-effective, estimating they could cost the NHS "up to £100 million annually" in England if routinely funded.The draft guideline is open for consultation until August 11, 2026, with the final NICE guidance on PMOS expected to be published in December 2026.