A scan report or a doctor’s note says “PCOD”, and the first thing many women search is the PCOD full form. Others type “pcod kya hota hai english” or “pcos kya hai”. The letters are confusing because one condition has several names, and the newest one arrived only in 2026.
For what the condition does to your body, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated, see our PCOS hub on symptoms, tests and treatment.
PCOD full form in medical terms, and the full form of PCOS
PCOD stands for polycystic ovarian disease, also written polycystic ovary disease. PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. MedlinePlus, the US National Library of Medicine’s health service, lists polycystic ovary disease as another name for the same condition, along with older names such as Stein-Leventhal syndrome and polyfollicular ovarian disease.
In India, PCOD is often used for a milder, “ovary-only” problem and PCOS for a more serious one. The international PCOS guideline and World Health Organization (WHO) do not treat PCOD as a separate diagnosis; they describe one condition, diagnosed with the same criteria. Our guide to the difference between PCOD and PCOS explains where the split came from.
| Term | Stands for | What it means | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCOD | Polycystic ovarian (or ovary) disease | A popular name for the condition; not a separate diagnosis in guidelines | Scan reports, clinics, everyday talk in India |
| PCOS | Polycystic ovary syndrome | The medical name used by guidelines until 2026 | Prescriptions, guidelines, most websites |
| PMOS | Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome | The new name, agreed in 2026, for the same condition | UK National Health Service (NHS) and other international websites, newer research |
| PCO | Polycystic ovaries | A scan appearance: many small follicles in an ovary | Ultrasound reports |
| PCOM | Polycystic ovarian morphology | The technical term for that scan appearance | Guidelines, radiology reports |
WHO’s disease classification has no separate code for PCOD. The condition has one code, whatever your report calls it (see the codes section below).
PCOD meaning in English, word by word
Each word in the old names describes what doctors saw on the ovaries, not what the condition does to the whole body.
| Word | Plain meaning | Is it accurate? |
|---|---|---|
| Poly | Many | Partly: it refers to many small follicles seen on a scan |
| Cystic | Having cysts, fluid-filled sacs | No: the sacs are follicles, not abnormal cysts |
| Ovary, ovarian | The two small organs that hold eggs and make hormones | Partly: insulin, androgens and metabolism are involved too |
| Disease (the D in PCOD) | An illness | Misleading: it suggests a separate illness, which guidelines do not recognise |
| Syndrome (the S in PCOS) | A group of features that tend to occur together | Yes: no single test diagnoses it; a doctor looks for a combination |
Why the “cysts” are really follicles
The name dates from the 1930s and was based on what surgeons saw: many small fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries. Those sacs are follicles, each holding an immature egg. The renaming group’s summary explains that the scan appearance “reflects arrested follicular development, not cyst formation”: when ovulation is irregular, many follicles stop growing at an early stage and stay visible.
Professor Helena Teede, who led the renaming, said there is “no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary”. WHO adds that some women with PCOS do not have polycystic ovaries at all, and ovarian cysts are not required for the diagnosis. The international guideline asks scan reports to list true ovarian cysts separately from the small follicles that are counted.
PCO meaning: polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound
PCO (polycystic ovaries) or PCOM (polycystic ovarian morphology) on a report describes how the ovaries look on a scan. It is a finding, not a diagnosis.
The 2023 international guideline sets these thresholds for adults:
- 20 or more follicles of 2–9 mm in at least one ovary, counted across the whole ovary; or
- an ovarian volume of 10 mL or more, or 10 or more follicles in a single cross-section, when older machines or poor images make a full count unreliable.
The guideline says there are no definitive scan criteria for polycystic ovaries in adolescents, so a scan is not recommended to diagnose them in teenagers. “Bilateral” on a report simply means both ovaries; our guide to bilateral polycystic ovaries on ultrasound explains what to ask next.
A scan alone cannot tell you that you have PCOS. A 2024 review in Human Reproduction Update notes that this appearance is also found in women with regular cycles and normal androgen levels, and that estimates of how common it is vary widely with the machine and the count used. WHO’s newer classification even gives the scan finding its own code, separate from the syndrome. A diagnosis needs two of three features, after other causes are ruled out; the hub’s diagnosis and tests section explains each one.
PCOS new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)
On 12 May 2026, PCOS was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The Endocrine Society reported that the work, published in The Lancet, took 14 years, involved 56 patient and professional organisations and drew more than 22,000 survey responses. NHS now titles its page PMOS and says it “used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)”.
| Word | What it points to |
|---|---|
| Polyendocrine | Several hormone systems are involved at once: higher androgens (hormones such as testosterone), altered signals from the brain to the ovaries, and insulin resistance, which the renaming summary says is present in 85% of those affected |
| Metabolic | Effects on weight around the waist, blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure and heart risk |
| Ovarian | The ovaries still matter: irregular ovulation, irregular periods, the follicle pattern on a scan and fertility problems |
| Syndrome | Still a group of features rather than one single disease |
The renaming summary lists four problems with the old name:
- it implied harmful ovarian cysts, which are not a feature of the condition;
- its narrow focus on the ovaries contributed to missed diagnoses, with up to 70% of affected women undiagnosed;
- it hid the metabolic, heart, skin and mental-health sides, so care was fragmented;
- its reproductive focus added stigma, especially where fertility carries high value.
What does not change: the renaming summary says the clinical features, diagnostic criteria and management “remain unchanged”. PCOS and PMOS will be used side by side for a three-year transition, and the international guideline will use PMOS alone from its 2028 update. A new name does not bring a new cure; healthy habits can ease symptoms but cannot replace the treatment your doctor recommends.
The “metabolic” part is a reason to know your numbers. Indian bodies use lower cut-offs than WHO’s international ones; our body mass index (BMI) calculator with Indian cut-offs gives a starting point.
PCOS ICD-10 code, and its code in the newer classification
The PCOS code in ICD-10 is E28.2. WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD) gives each condition a code for hospital records, insurance forms and health statistics, so you may see one of these on a discharge summary or claim form.
| Classification | Code | Official title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICD-10 (WHO 2019 version) | E28.2 | Polycystic ovarian syndrome | Listed under E28 “Ovarian dysfunction”, in the chapter on endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases; includes sclerocystic ovary syndrome and Stein-Leventhal syndrome |
| ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision) | 5A80.1 | Polycystic ovary syndrome | Listed under 5A80 “Ovarian dysfunction”; polycystic ovary on its own is excluded and coded separately |
| ICD-11 | 5A80.2 | Polycystic ovary | The scan appearance without the syndrome |
There is no code for PCOD, and none yet for PMOS. The renaming group says formal engagement with WHO is under way to bring the new name into the classification. A code is for record-keeping; it says nothing about how mild or severe your condition is.
How PCOS is said in Hindi, Tamil and Marathi
Most people in India, and most doctors, simply say PCOD or PCOS in every language. Regional terms exist, but we found none that a health authority has adopted as the official name, and some repeat the old “cyst” idea. Using the English letters with your doctor avoids confusion.
PCOS full form in Hindi
The full form stays in English. Hindi health leaflets usually write “polycystic ovary syndrome” in Devanagari script. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, an Australian women’s health organisation, does this in its Hindi PCOS page and refers to the ovaries as “polycystic andashay”; “andashay” is the Hindi word for ovary.
PCOS meaning in Tamil
Jean Hailes’s Tamil page calls the condition “palkurumbai soolaga noikkuri” and uses “sinaippai”, the everyday Tamil word for ovary. Tamil health articles also use “sinaippai neerkatti”, which means ovarian water-cysts and repeats the misunderstanding the new name tries to fix.
PCOS meaning in Marathi
Marathi health pages generally write the English name in Devanagari, with “andashay” for ovary. We found no Marathi term from a government or medical body.
When we checked in November 2026, the renaming group’s patient resources on PMOS were available in 12 languages, including Urdu, but not in Hindi, Tamil or Marathi.
When to see a doctor
A name on a report is not a reason to panic, but some signs need prompt care. The hub has the full list of PCOS warning signs.
Emergency: get help now (call 112)
- Very heavy bleeding with dizziness, feeling faint or fainting.
- Severe or one-sided lower tummy pain, especially if you could be pregnant.
Prompt review: within days to a few weeks
- You have missed three periods in a row and are not pregnant.
- Facial or body hair that worsens quickly, or a deepening voice. MedlinePlus notes that these male-type changes are not typical of PCOS and may point to another problem.
Routine review
Book an appointment if your report says PCO, PCOD or PCOS and no one has explained what was found, if your periods have become irregular, or if you are planning a pregnancy. Ask which features were found and what follow-up you need.
How Disha can help
Disha is an AI health coach that chats and calls in Hindi, English and Hinglish. It does not replace a doctor, and it does not diagnose, prescribe or provide emergency care. It helps with the daily habits your doctor recommends: meals, movement, sleep and stress. Its onboarding call of about 15–20 minutes is conducted by Disha, the AI; no human doctor is on the call. Read how Disha coaching works.
This is not medical advice. This page is general education for adults (18+), not a diagnosis or treatment plan. A term or code on a report does not diagnose you; a doctor does. Do not start, stop or change any medicine because of it. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, get individual advice. In an emergency, call 112.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of PCOD?
PCOD stands for polycystic ovarian disease, also written polycystic ovary disease. It is a popular name, especially in India, for the condition guidelines call polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in 2026. International guidelines and WHO do not treat PCOD as a separate diagnosis. If your report says PCOD, ask your doctor which features were actually found.
What is the PCOS full form in Hindi?
The full form stays in English: polycystic ovary syndrome. Hindi health leaflets usually write that English name in Devanagari script, and may call the ovaries “polycystic andashay”, since andashay is the Hindi word for ovary. There is no official Hindi medical name, and no official Hindi version of the new name PMOS yet. Most doctors and patients simply say PCOS or PCOD.
Is PCOD the same as PCOS?
Medically, yes. In India, PCOD is often used for a milder, ovary-only form, but the international guideline and WHO describe one condition, diagnosed with the same criteria, and WHO’s classification has no separate code for PCOD. What matters is which features you have, such as irregular periods, signs of excess androgens or polycystic ovaries on a scan, and what follow-up your doctor advises.
What does PCO mean on my ultrasound report?
PCO means polycystic ovaries: the scan showed many small follicles, or a larger ovary. In adults, the international guideline counts 20 or more follicles in at least one ovary, or a volume of 10 mL or more with older machines. It is a finding, not a diagnosis. Women with regular periods can have this appearance, so a doctor checks your periods and hormones before calling it PCOS.
What is the new name for PCOS?
The new name is polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), announced on 12 May 2026 after a global process involving 56 organisations. It reflects that several hormone systems and metabolism are involved, not just the ovaries. Diagnosis and treatment have not changed. PCOS and PMOS will be used together for three years, so your report may show either name.
What is the ICD-10 code for PCOS?
In WHO’s ICD-10, PCOS is E28.2, titled “Polycystic ovarian syndrome”, under ovarian dysfunction. In the newer ICD-11 it is 5A80.1, “Polycystic ovary syndrome”, while 5A80.2 covers polycystic ovaries seen on a scan without the syndrome. There is no separate code for PCOD, and the new name PMOS has not yet been added to the classification.
Is it PCOS or POCS?
It is PCOS, for polycystic ovary syndrome. The condition is often typed as POCS by mistake, and search engines usually understand both. When you read a report, talk to a doctor or search for reliable information, use PCOS, PCOD or the new name PMOS. All three refer to the same hormonal condition, not to three different problems.
Sources
- Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, Dokras A, Moran LJ, Piltonen TT, Costello MF, Boivin J, Redman LM, Boyle JA, Norman RJ, Mousa A, Joham AE. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2023. Supports: diagnosis by two of three features after excluding other causes; adult PCOM thresholds (20 or more follicles per ovary; 10 mL or 10 follicles per section with older technology); counting 2–9 mm follicles; no PCOM criteria in adolescents; reporting ovarian cysts separately.
- Endocrine Society. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care of condition affecting 170 million women worldwide. 12 May 2026. Supports: the new name and date; publication in The Lancet; 14 years, 56 organisations and more than 22,000 survey responses; Professor Teede’s statement on cysts; the three-year transition and the 2028 guideline update.
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI). Terminology Update and Summary: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). May 2026. Supports: naming in the 1930s from a surgical finding; scan appearance reflects arrested follicular development, not cysts; the four harms of the old name, including up to 70% undiagnosed; meaning of each word, including insulin resistance in 85%; features, criteria and management unchanged; engagement with WHO on ICD coding.
- MCHRI. PMOS Resources: Resources for Women with PMOS. Accessed November 2026. Supports: patient messages available in 12 languages, including Urdu, with no Hindi, Tamil or Marathi version listed.
- NHS. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and Missed or late periods. Current patient guidance. Supports: PMOS “used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)”; seeing a GP after missing a period three times in a row or when periods become irregular.
- World Health Organization. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Fact sheet, accessed November 2026. Supports: diagnosis by two of three features; some women with PCOS do not have polycystic ovaries, and ovarian cysts are not required for diagnosis.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. Medical encyclopedia, reviewed 3 June 2026. Supports: alternative names including polycystic ovary disease, polycystic ovaries, Stein-Leventhal syndrome and polyfollicular ovarian disease; many women do not develop cysts; male-type changes such as a deepening voice are not typical of PCOS and may indicate another problem.
- World Health Organization. ICD-10 Version 2019: E28.2 Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Supports: the code E28.2 and its title; its place under E28 Ovarian dysfunction in chapter IV (endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases); inclusion of sclerocystic ovary syndrome and Stein-Leventhal syndrome.
- WHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, 2026-01 release, entry 5A80.1, as reproduced by Find-A-Code. 5A80.1 Polycystic ovary syndrome. Supports: the ICD-11 code 5A80.1 under 5A80 Ovarian dysfunction; exclusion of polycystic ovary on its own, coded 5A80.2.
- Ott J, Robin G, Hager M, Dewailly D. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea and polycystic ovarian morphology: a narrative review about an intriguing association. Human Reproduction Update, 2024. Supports: PCOM can be seen in women with regular ovulation and normal androgen levels; prevalence estimates vary widely with method and technology. Also: Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. Polycystic ovary syndrome (Hindi) and Polycystic ovary syndrome (Tamil). Supports: the Hindi and Tamil terms quoted in the languages section.
Related reads
- PCOS in India: symptoms, tests, treatment and daily care: the overview this page sits under, with what the condition is, diagnosis and treatment in full.
- PCOD vs PCOS: what is the difference?: why India uses two names, and which one is “more dangerous”.
- PCOD and PCOS symptoms in women: periods, skin, hair, weight and mood, and which signs need a doctor.
- Bilateral polycystic ovaries on ultrasound: what the scan finding means and whether it is dangerous.
- All PCOS articles: every Disha guide on PCOS in one place.
- BMI calculator with Indian cut-offs: a screening number for the metabolic side of PCOS, not a test for it.
