This article was originally published on 17 July 2025 by the The Conversation and is being republished following the news that scientists are proposing to rename Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a bid to stop under-diagnosis. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that affects ovaries, periods and fertility in about one in 10 Canadian women . Different from ovarian cysts, PCOS is associated with infertility, pregnancy complications, heart disease and a general decreased quality of life, and yet fewer than half of those affected even know they have it. This under-recognition and under-diagnosis is a significant problem, because a recent Canadian study suggests these women are 20 to 40 per cent more likely to experience negative health outcomes during their lifetime than the general population, including hypertension ( high blood pressure ), kidney disease , gastrointestinal disease, eating disorders, depression and anxiety.…