Hackensack Meridian Health experts weigh in on the change from PCOS&nbsp;to PMOS
Brick, N.J. - May 14, 2026 - First, it was named after two men. Then, it was named for a false premise. Now, after more than a century, one of the most common hormone disorders affecting women worldwide has a name that reflects the science.
A global consortium of healthcare experts, patients, and advocates has announced that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) should now be known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). The change, 14 years in the making, was revealed this week at the European Congress of Endocrinology.
Gynecologic and endocrinology experts, as well as adolescent medicine specialists - PMOS can be diagnosed as early as teenage years - agree that this is a validation of patients&rsquo; broader symptoms and a clearer path to a comprehensive diagnosis and management plan that addresses all facets of their health, encouraging earlier and more effective intervention.

"The renaming of PCOS to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) marks a significant and necessary evolution in our understanding and approach to this complex condition. This is more than just a change in terminology; it's a commitment to a more holistic and accurate diagnosis that moves beyond the misleading focus on ovarian cysts,&rdquo; says <a href="https://doctors.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/Jocelyn+A.+Carlo/1314264?provider_name=Jocelyn%20A.%20Carlo&amp;sort=networks%2Crelevance&amp;tt=7668ef51-5830-419f-8713-a2951ba84504&amp;ut=b0ad60cd-bbbc-4888-bd52-d74852af60b5&amp;timestamp=2024-06-21T13%3A07%3A03.933Z&amp;from=search-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Jocelyn A. Carlo, M.D.</a>, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and director of Gynecology at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.&nbsp;

How the science dictated a name change&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul><li>Accuracy in Medicine: The term "polycystic" is a misnomer. The "cysts" are actually underdeveloped egg follicles, a feature not even present in all patients. The old name has led to confusion and a narrow focus on the ovaries.</li><li>A Systemic Condition: PMOS is not just a reproductive disorder. The new name emphasizes the significant endocrine and metabolic issues, like insulin resistance, that affect up to 85% of patients and increase their risk for type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.</li><li>Improving Patient Care: An estimated 170 million people worldwide have PMOS, yet up to 70% go undiagnosed. Experts believe the misleading name is partly to blame, preventing patients from being screened for associated metabolic and psychological conditions.&nbsp;</li></ul>
This renaming aims to shift medical focus, improve diagnostic rates, and ensure patients receive comprehensive care for a complex condition that extends far beyond their reproductive years. It also hopes to spur official approval for treatments like metformin, which are often prescribed "off-label" at a high out-of-pocket cost to patients.
Physicians at Hackensack Meridian Health treat patients as young as teenagers for PMOS. Diagnosing PCOS involves a comprehensive evaluation to rule out other conditions. This includes a physical exam, a review of menstrual history, a pelvic ultrasound, and blood work to check hormone levels. Treatment is highly individualized and managed through a multidisciplinary program, incorporating hormonal therapy, insulin-sensitizing medications, and significant lifestyle changes like dietary modification and regular exercise. The program also addresses cosmetic concerns such as acne and hair growth. The goal is long-term management to improve fertility and prevent serious future health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
&ldquo;Our multidisciplinary approach has always treated this as a systemic issue, not just an ovarian one. We combine hormonal therapy with nutritional guidance, exercise plans, and metabolic support because we know that addressing insulin resistance and long-term health risks early is paramount,&rdquo;&nbsp; says <a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/heather-l-appelbaum/1680868" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Heather L. Appelbaum, M.D</a>., director of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at K. Hovnanian Children&rsquo;s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. &ldquo;The new name, PMOS, validates this comprehensive approach. It helps families understand that we are treating a complex metabolic and endocrine condition, which empowers them to engage fully with a treatment plan designed to protect their child&rsquo;s health for a lifetime, not just manage symptoms today."
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(photo: vecteezy.com)

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Pediatricians and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Specialists Weigh in on American Pediatric Association Statement 
Brick, N.J. - May 14. 2026 - Kids need down time during the school day. That&rsquo;s the reinforced stance of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which issued an <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2026-077025/207527/The-Crucial-Role-of-Recess-in-School-Policy?autologincheck=redirected" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">updated statement </a>on school recess this week, stressing that it is not just a fun break in the day, but important for the physical, mental, and academic well-being of children in kindergarten through high school.&nbsp;

This is the first new guidance on recess from the influential pediatricians' group in 13 years, a period that has seen a concerning decline in recess time in schools across the nation, alongside a rise in children's mental and physical health issues.&nbsp;
The revised policy statement, published in the journal Pediatrics, comes after years of diminishing recess opportunities, often sacrificed in the pursuit of higher standardized test scores, according to Dr. Robert Murray, a lead author of the report. 
Central to the AAP's stance is what it cites as a century of research that shows the health advantages of taking breaks from concentrated learning. More recent research now shows that these pauses are vital for the brain to effectively process and store information. Furthermore, the statement highlights that recess provides a unique opportunity for children and adolescents to develop crucial social and emotional skills by navigating relationships, building confidence, and practicing conflict resolution in a less structured environment. 
&ldquo;As both a parent of five and a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I see every day that recess is not a break from learning &mdash; it is essential to it,&rdquo; says <a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/stacy-james-doumas/1319942" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Stacy Doumas, M.D.</a>, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. &ldquo;The American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC both emphasize that recess supports children&rsquo;s mental health, emotional regulation, physical wellbeing, social development, attention, memory, and classroom performance.&rdquo;
&ldquo;At a time when nearly 1 in 5 children struggle with obesity and youth mental health concerns continue to rise, protecting time for movement, free play, and peer connection during the school day is more important than ever,&rdquo; Dr. Doumas adds.
"We pediatricians are clear&ndash;recess is not simply a fun break, but a crucial and necessary part of the day for a child's well-being and academic success,&rdquo; says Dr. Javier E Aisenberg, a pediatric endocrinologist at Hackensack University Medical Center. &rdquo;Recess should be considered a child's personal time that must be protected and never withheld for academic or punitive reasons." 
In response to the decline of recess, some states have taken legislative action.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2019/JUL/05/20303/NJDOE%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20Recess%20Law.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">New Jersey,</a> for example, mandates at least 20 minutes of daily recess for elementary school students. 
A growing number of parents and educators have noted that during indoor recess, students are often allowed to use personal devices like laptops. This can lead to children spending their break time playing video games or watching videos, rather than engaging in valuable face-to-face social interaction with their peers. This trend has sparked a debate about whether screen time during recess undermines the social and emotional benefits of this crucial break.
&ldquo;Extended computer and screen time use can contribute to eye strain, headaches, reduced physical activity, difficulty maintaining attention, and increased mental fatigue,&rdquo; says <a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/moses-f-olorunnisola/1314727" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Moses Olorunnisola, M.D.</a>, a pediatrician at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Southern Ocean Medical Center. &ldquo;When children are given access to laptops or tablets instead of recess time, they miss out on the critical movement, social interaction, and the mental reset their developing brains and bodies need.&rdquo;To learn more about children's health, visit <a href="www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/kids" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/kids.</a>
###(photo: vecteezy.com)

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<a href="https://null/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"></a>All of our furniture is liquidated from the largest Fortune 100 corporations in the country that have downsized or relocated...Thousands of high-end ergonomic office chair starting @ $75 &amp; up, couches, soft seating, club chairs, cubicles, benching, stacking chairs, reception &amp; conference room furniture and so much more like new 80% off. All furniture cleaned, inspected, sanitized and in stock ready to go....
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Event Date: 6/11/2026 and 6/17/2026Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PMJoin us for a two-part webinar on navigating midlife health. First, in "The Perimenopause Playbook," explore how fluctuating hormones impact mood, sleep, and metabolism. Then, "From Discomfort to Relief," break the silence on common pelvic health issues like bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, and vaginal dryness, and discover effective solutions to restore your comfort and confidence.
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Brick, NJ|Local Classified|Announcement|May 14