Women's Health Update: PMOS, DIY Cervical Screening, Bone Scans and More

Women's health care covers more than annual check-ups. This edition explains that PCOS is now called PMOS, that many patients can now collect their own cervical screening sample, when a bone density scan may be useful, what to know about creatine, and where to turn for period pain. Your GP is the best place to start.

Whether you are due for a screening test, have questions about a new name for a familiar condition, or have been putting up with painful periods for years, our women's health GPs at Family Medical Practices are here to help. Read on for a quick guide to each topic, and book a time with us if anything sounds familiar.

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PCOS is now PMOS – what it might mean for you

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) following a fourteen-year global consensus process led by Professor Helena Teede at Monash University's Centre for Health Research and Implementation. The change was announced in May 2026, backed by dozens of patient and professional organisations worldwide.

If you have PCOS, you now have PMOS, and the new name does not change your diagnosis, medications or care plan. But while this name change might be subtle, it is mighty, as it better reflects the complexity of the syndrome which will have different impacts, and difference lived experience, for each patient.  The original name focused on ovarian “cysts” that research now shows were never actually a defining feature. Now, we recognise PMOS as a syndrome affecting multiple parts of the body and its hormonal systems — endocrine, reproductive, cardiometabolic, and psychological — not just the ovaries. It is a whole-body condition involving periods, fertility, insulin, metabolism, skin, hair, weight, sleep, and mental health, and needs whole-person care.  Depending on how PMOS looks and feels for you, your treatment may require managing some or a combination of these different impacts.

If you have any questions, or are wondering whether you may be affected by PMOS, then your GP is the best place to start.

Bye bye pap smears? DIY cervical screening

Life gets busy, and it's easy to let a routine test slide down the priority list — especially one that used to mean stirrups and a slightly awkward ten minutes. Here's some good news: many patients can now collect their own sample in the privacy of the clinic bathroom.

Self-collected cervical screening uses a simple vaginal swab you do yourself, sort of like a RAT test but it doesn’t make your eyes water.  It's just as accurate as a clinician-collected sample using a pap smear because the test isn't looking at cells — it's checking for HPV, the virus behind almost all cervical cancers. No HPV, no need to look further for another 5 years.

It's available to anyone with a cervix aged 25–74 who's ever been sexually active, and if your result is negative, you're not due again for five years. If you have symptoms like unusual bleeding then it might not be the right test for you so chat to your GP as you might need a different option.

So if the old pap smear test was the thing holding you back, that barrier's gone. Book in, chat to us about the self-collect option, and tick it off.

What your bones wish you knew – bone density scans

Osteoporosis is often called a "silent" disease, because bone loss doesn't hurt until a fracture reveals it. A DEXA scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is the simple, painless test we use to measure bone density — a quick scan, painless, no needles, minimal radiation, and you do it lying down for about ten minutes.

It helps us tell the difference between two related conditions. Osteopenia means your bone density is lower than normal for your age, but not low enough to be classed as osteoporosis — think of it as an early warning sign. Osteoporosis is a step further: bones become fragile, making a fracture from even a minor bump much more likely. Both are common as we age, particularly after menopause, and both are very manageable once we know they're there.

A DEXA scan is a useful, low-risk test for many women wanting a clearer picture of their bone health as they age. There are some women who do really need a scan - every woman aged 70 and over should have a baseline scan. For younger women, it can come down to risk factors such as early menopause, a fracture from a minor bump or fall, family history and many others. Smoking, high alcohol intake, and reduced mobility can also increase your risk, so please do let us know at your next check-up.

Bone density naturally declines after menopause, but osteoporosis and fractures aren't inevitable. The real value of a scan is early knowledge — once we know where you stand, there's a lot we can do: tailored exercise, diet and calcium and vitamin D intake, falls prevention, and medication where it's needed, all of which can slow bone loss and significantly cut your fracture risk.

If any of this sounds like you, or you want to know more, chat to us at your next appointment.

Creatine Supplements: Quick fire FAQs

Creatine has gone from gym-bag staple to one of our most asked-about supplements. Here's a general overview of what to bear in mind when you’re at the doctor — not a recommendation for or against use, as that depends on your individual health circumstances.

What is it? Creatine is a compound the body already makes and stores in muscle, with additional amounts obtained from meat and fish. Supplements are designed to top up these natural stores.

Is it safe? That depends. The Australian Institute of Sport reports no evidence of serious adverse effects in healthy adults in the research to date, though most trials have been conducted in younger, healthy populations over defined periods.

Are there side effects? Some people have had water-related weight gain and stomach upset have been reported. It can alter you’re the blood test results in relation to your kidney function though, so it is important to let your doctor know if you’re taking it.

Where to get personalised guidance: Individual suitability depends on factors like existing health conditions, medications, and goals. It is worth discussing supplement use with an accredited practitioner, such as your GP or an accredited sports dietitian, before starting.

Already taking it, or thinking about it? It's worth letting your GP know, even if you feel well. Supplements can interact with medications or existing conditions, and keeping your GP in the loop means your care and any test results can be interpreted with the full picture in mind.

This article is general information only and doesn't replace individual medical advice.

Dreading your period? Let’s talk about it

Period pain and heavy menstrual bleeding are far more common than the silence around them suggests. Many women assume it's just their normal and grit their teeth every month not realising we have a lot of options available to help.

It can turn up at any life stage, and it doesn't always look the same. For some, heavy bleeding is the main issue; for others it's the pain, and often it's both together. Whatever the pattern, the impact on work, sleep, exercise, social plans, relationships doesn't have to be something you just manage around. If you're planning your month around your period, cancelling plans, or dreading it each time it's due, that's worth a conversation, regardless of how it compares to anyone else's "normal."

The reassuring part: there's a genuine range of options, and surgery is very much a last resort. As doctors, we have many tools to help you manage including non-pharmacological and non-hormonal options.  We tailor the approach to your history, your goals, and what matters to you.

If your periods are running your calendar, or the pain is something you grit your teeth through, come in and have a chat. Life's too short to dread every cycle.