Meet Illume Fertility's PMOS Program & Care Team

Trying to conceive with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can raise questions about ovulation, treatment, and what your diagnosis means for pregnancy.

Illume Fertility's dedicated PMOS program brings fertility care together with nutrition, emotional support, acupuncture, and education so you can better understand what is affecting your fertility and what comes next.

What is PMOS?

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, is the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. The condition was renamed in 2026, with support from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), to better reflect its hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive effects.

Note: You may still see the term PCOS in medical records, research, insurance documents, and online resources as the new terminology is gradually adopted.

PMOS can cause irregular or absent ovulation, elevated androgen levels, insulin resistance, acne, unwanted hair growth, thinning hair, and challenges with weight management. Symptoms vary from person to person.

How does PMOS affect fertility?

For people with PMOS who are trying to conceive, irregular ovulation is often the main challenge. Some people still ovulate, but others go long stretches without ovulating. Insulin resistance and elevated androgen levels can affect follicle development and ovulation too.

PMOS can make conception more difficult, but it doesn't mean you are automatically infertile or will need IVF to achieve pregnancy. Some patients conceive with ovulation induction or timed intercourse alone. Others may proceed to IUI or IVF.

If you're feeling discouraged, try reading a few success stories from real PMOS patients who conceived with Illume's help. You still have options.

Your First Step: A Full Fertility Evaluation

A PMOS diagnosis is only one piece of the fertility puzzle.

Your Illume reproductive endocrinologist will carefully review your medical history, menstrual cycles, symptoms, any previous testing, and family-building goals.

Testing typically begins with blood work and a pelvic ultrasound. Your evaluation may assess ovarian reserve, the uterus and fallopian tubes, and sperm health when applicable.

Do you need to lose weight before fertility treatment?

Not every person with PMOS is overweight, and body size alone does not determine whether someone can become pregnant or have a healthy baby.

Your care team will review your overall health before recommending changes to nutrition, movement, weight, or metabolic health. If any of these factors affect your treatment plan, they will explain why and help you set realistic goals based on your needs.

Start With a Clearer Picture

Learn what fertility testing can tell you about ovulation patterns, sperm quality, ovarian reserve, and the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Fertility Treatment Options for PMOS

Treatment often begins by addressing irregular or absent ovulation, but the best long-term plan for you will depend on the results of your full fertility evaluation.

Ovulation Induction & Timed Intercourse

For patients who do not ovulate regularly, ovulation induction can stimulate follicle development and ovulation. Your care team monitors your response with blood work and ultrasound, then helps you time intercourse around ovulation.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI places prepared sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. It is often paired with medication that stimulates ovulation.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF offers greater control over follicle growth, fertilization, embryo development, and embryo transfer. It may be recommended based on age, sperm factors, tubal issues, prior treatment results, family-building goals, or other findings from your fertility evaluation.

Your PMOS Care Team

PMOS can affect much more than fertility. Metabolic health, nutrition, stress management, and emotional well-being are all important parts of care. That's why we designed our PMOS program to include support from professionals across several areas.

Here's who you can expect to interact with at Illume:

Reproductive Endocrinologist

Your reproductive endocrinologist evaluates whether and how PMOS is affecting your fertility, reviews your test results, prescribes any necessary medications, and recommends the most effective treatment pathway for your personal goals.

Nurse or Advanced Practice Provider

Registered nurses and advanced practice providers, such as nurse practitioners and physician associates, provide medication education, oversee cycle monitoring, address symptoms, assist with procedures, and offer ongoing support throughout your journey.

Patient Navigator

Your patient navigator is by your side from start to finish. They help coordinate your care, assist with scheduling, and connect you with the right members of your care team.

Financial Coordinator

Your financial coordinator helps you explore anticipated out-of-pocket costs, your insurance benefits, prior authorization requirements, and available financial resources.

Integrated Fertility & Wellness

Illume Fertility is the only fertility practice in Connecticut with a full in-house fertility wellness team, offering acupuncture, nutritional counseling, mental health referrals, support groups, and more. We encourage PMOS patients to take advantage of these offerings.

Nutrition

PMOS often comes with conflicting nutrition advice and pressure to follow restrictive diets. At Illume, we offer simple, realistic diet and lifestyle guidance you can actually stick to.

Through our in-house nutrition program, our team of registered dietitian nutritionists provides individualized plans for blood sugar regulation, adequate protein and fiber intake, optimal eating for fertility, and other nutrition needs.

Mental Health

Irregular cycles, negative pregnancy tests, treatment decisions, body changes, and uncertainty can take a real emotional toll. All Illume patients can access fertility counseling and mental health support for challenges with anxiety, depression, loss, stress, and relationship strain.

Acupuncture

Patients interested in fertility acupuncture can book a session with one of our licensed acupuncturists at any time. Acupuncture can be used as a supportive therapy for relaxation, anxiety and stress management, and general well-being during fertility treatment.

Community

With educational workshops, yoga classes, and free support groups for those navigating infertility, processing a loss, or moving through treatment with a partner, Illume's event calendar offers a variety of ways to connect with others who understand this experience.

Suspect you have PMOS?

Take our 3-minute PMOS symptoms quiz to identify common signs and explore possible next steps.

When should you see a fertility specialist?

If you already know you have PMOS and your cycles are very irregular or absent, you don't need to spend months trying to predict ovulation before seeking help.

Consider scheduling a fertility evaluation if:

• You have been trying to conceive without success
• Your periods are irregular, very far apart, or absent
• You suspect you have PMOS but have never been formally evaluated
• You have another known fertility condition or previous fertility treatment
• You want a clearer picture of your fertility before continuing to try on your own

A fertility evaluation does not commit you to treatment. It simply gives you information about your reproductive health and the options available to you.

Your Personalized Care Plan

PMOS affects each person differently, and your fertility care should reflect that. That's why Illume's PMOS program combines medical treatment with access to nutrition, mental health care, acupuncture, financial guidance, and care coordination based on your needs.

If you're ready to find answers and explore your options, schedule a consultation to discuss your next steps with one of our board-certified reproductive endocrinologists.