The term PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, was first used in 1935 and affects around one in eight women in the UK today, according to PCOS charity Verity .

New research from Monash University in Australia, published in the Lancet journal, showed that the vast majority of patients and professionals found the name misleading and confusing, as it only points to the ovarian side of the condition. 76% of professionals and 86% of patients were keen for a change.

With PCOS, the ovaries become enlarged with fluid-filled sacs around the eggs. The NHS already recognises the title is somewhat misleading as it highlights: “Despite the name, you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS.”

Ovarian cysts do exist and are common, but are a completely different diagnosis. The sacs formed in PCOS

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