Western Australian experts say the renaming of a disorder impacting 170 million women worldwide is long overdue.

Polycystic ovary syndrome has officially been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, following a push by researchers across the world.

PMOS impacts endocrine function, metabolism, fertility, mental health, and cardiovascular health.

Curtin Medical School menstrual health literacy specialist Felicity Roux says the name change has “shifted the view from purely looking at cysts on the ovaries, to a whole body approach”.

“Historically it’s been framed as women struggling to get pregnant and now this is acknowledging it’s far broader than that,” Dr Roux says.

“The shift is saying this is a hormone condition, irrespective of whether or not the couple wants to conceive.”

University of Western Australia clinical professor and endocrinologist Bronwyn Stuckey says a more nuanced approach to PMOS is needed.

“There are different manifestations (of PMOS)”, she says.

“PMOS is a heterogeneous condition and you can’t put one marker on that.”

“It’s ludicrous we treat them all the same.”

Jessica Harper was put on birth control to address PMOS symptoms after being diagnosed at 17.

“I didn’t feel it was explained properly why I was on these pills,” Ms Harper says.

“I think doctors can sometimes be a bit biased and go straight to pharmaceutical medication, rather than trying something more natural,.

“I feel like sometimes doctors just want to put a bandaid on the issue rather than figuring out the root cause.”

Ms Harper says advocating for yourself at the doctor is important.

“If someone is telling you something about your body and you don’t think its right, go and see someone else and get the information you want.”