Weill Cornell Medicine

PCOS has a new name, it’s now PMOS and here’s what we know.

PCOS, or polycystic o***y syndrome, affects 1 in 8 women. It’s received a new name that reflects a better science-based understanding of the disease, PMOS, which stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome.

PMOS is not only about the ovaries. It’s a complex hormonal disorder affecting reproductive health, cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, weight gain, mental health, skin health, and more. PMOS can look different in each person.

Dr. Laura Riley, Chief of and comments that “PMOS can affect whether you develop Type 2 diabetes, it can affect your heart. Women will now be able to do things to hopefully change that path if they understand the full scope of the disease.”

Here's What We Know:
- The name change highlights a key factor often overlooked: insulin resistance, which can affect weight, heart health, hormones, and mental health.
- You do NOT need to have ovarian cysts to be diagnosed with PMOS. Other common symptoms include irregular or absent periods, acne, or facial hair growth.
- Signs of PMOS may be present in the early teen years, with opportunities to intervene for young patients at risks, yet many women are diagnosed later, often when facing fertility challenges.

Our experts agree that this new name could lead to better awareness, earlier diagnosis, and more personalized treatment.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4ofBACi

Nonalcoholic beverages are becoming mainstream thanks to their health benefits and delicious flavor.

As spring comes to a close, you can make delicious mocktails at home with these recipes crafted by Weill Cornell Medicine dietitian Rachel Stahl Salzman. Working with a nutritionist helps ensure you are getting the full health benefits tailored to your needs.

Curious about mocktails? Here are some of the health perks:

- Fresh, whole ingredients and waters instead of sugary drinks
- Fewer calories
- Better hydration (sparkling water and coconut water)
- Nutrient boosts
- Disease prevention
- Better sleep

Ready to meet with a dietitian? Schedule an appointment now: https://weillcornell.org/endocrine

Victoria Bueno was working in the fast-paced world of bartending and waitressing when overwhelming fatigue forced her to pause. Needing three naps a day to get through was just the beginning. Rounds of bloodwork and imaging revealed she had Hodgkin lymphoma and heart failure. That’s when her world flipped upside down.

After six rounds of chemotherapy didn’t seem to be working, Victoria’s brother Avi, who works at Weill Cornell Medicine, encouraged her to seek a second opinion. That ultimately led her to meet Dr. Tsiporah Shore, a blood cancer specialist and Associate Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

"Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that forms when certain white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, usually in lymph nodes that can spread to other organs," explains Dr. Shore.

Victoria switched to a different type of chemotherapy and then underwent a stem cell transplant, which meant spending an entire month in the hospital. To cope with the intense loneliness, she kept her room lively and welcoming, often surrounded by nurses and loved ones.

She married her longtime boyfriend, Keith, who had supported her throughout her health journey. She had always dreamed of becoming a mother, but cancer treatment caused early menopause, making it difficult to use her own eggs. Undeterred, they turned to fertility treatment and with the help of an egg donor, their efforts paid off.

Victoria recently visited Dr. Shore for a follow-up appointment, this time with her baby, Konnor, in her arms. It was a joyful reunion.

Victoria sees her journey to motherhood as proof of the power of positivity, community, and determination. "You’re stronger than you think. Lean on your people and don’t give up," she says.

Weill Cornell Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

More men with prostate cancer are living longer thanks to early detection and better care. But for some, the disease can still become aggressive and life-threatening.

Sometimes prostate cancer stops responding to treatment and Dr. Ekta Khurana wants to find out why. She lost her grandfather to prostate cancer and is dedicating her life to researching the disease.

Dr. Khurana, a computational biologist from Weill Cornell Medicine, investigates the genetic factors that cause the disease. In 2022, her research revealed a subtype of prostate cancer called stem cell-like, or SCL, which accounts for about 30% of all treatment-resistant prostate cancers.

She received a $1.2M government grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to determine whether DNA markers in patients’ blood can predict treatment resistance and identify drugs that may stop the cancer’s growth, but funding was paused in 2025. The pause slowed down the research and impacted her team's work, as well as progress toward potentially better treatment options for patients.

In her lab, Dr. Khurana and her team are using machine learning tools to scan patients’ DNA and identify specific proteins in SCL tumor cells that drive the disease. This approach may help detect treatment resistance in real time.

"This is for the health of the American public," Dr. Khurana said. "We are trying to solve key challenges that the American public faces, so it's the best investment to use our knowledge to develop therapies that will be used for Americans."

The funding has since been restored, allowing her to continue researching prostate cancer therapies, helping patients live longer and giving families more time together.

This story originally appeared in Cornell University's Research Matters.
Check out the video and full story: https://bit.ly/4ufdc53

What does the science say about the effectiveness of oral GLP-1 medications?

A new clinical trial from Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital included patients who had lost significant weight on an injectable GLP-1 and switched to a daily pill.

The researchers found that patients taking the oral medication maintained most of their weight loss and improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

“This is the first study of its type looking at longer-term maintenance with an oral GLP-1 after taking an injectable,” said Dr. Louis Aronne, an internist specializing in diabetes and obesity.

Weight loss injections work well, but it can be tough to keep the weight off once patients stop using them.

This study supports an alternative weight loss strategy. “When treating a chronic disease like obesity, it is key to have options throughout the weight loss journey to health,” said Dr. Aronne.

Full story:
https://bit.ly/4uS9e35

If navigating perimenopause and menopause feels overwhelming, you’re not alone.

Too many women suffer in silence due to the stigma around menopause. Let’s talk about it so you can move forward with up-to-date, evidence-based information.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recently removed the “Black Box” warning label from hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), reflecting updated, evidence-based guidance around these treatments.

The old warning label, based on the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, suggested that hormone therapy was associated with increased risks of heart disease, dementia, and breast cancer. Since then, this research has been re-evaluated with more current data and a better understanding of the risks.

Here’s what we know about menopause and hormone therapy:

• HRT/MHT replaces estrogen and progesterone lost during perimenopause and menopause and is available in different forms, such as pills, patches, and injections, with varying formulations and risks.
• It treats moderate to severe menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
• It isn’t for everyone. Women with a history of breast cancer or heart disease may need other options.
• FDA-approved non-hormonal therapies are available if MHT isn’t right for you.

“Hot flashes may be a risk factor for other health issues, including heart disease. I'd advise all perimenopausal and menopausal women to seek treatment for their symptoms,” says Dr. Loeb-Zeitlin.

The best way to find the right treatment for you is to consult your doctor or physician assistant about your symptoms and health history.

Check out the link to learn more: https://bit.ly/3RNwl0q