One in every 8–10 women of reproductive age globally may be affected by Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), while as many as 70% of women living with the condition may not know they have it. Beyond the numbers is an even more complex reality, PMOS does not look the same in every woman. Symptoms can vary, and the condition can extend beyond reproductive health into metabolic and other aspects of well-being.
This reality formed the backdrop for the Hello Perfect PMOS & Women Summit 2026, described as Africa’s first integrated women’s health summit, where medical experts, advocates, and women came together to explore a new way of understanding the condition under the theme, “A New Name. A New Understanding. A New Opportunity.”
Hosted by Hello Perfect and convened by its Founder and CEO, Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, the summit explored the shift from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), while creating space for conversations around diagnosis, nutrition, skin health, lived experiences, and the broader realities of living with the condition.
A New Name. A New Understanding.
Opening the summit, Stephanie Alatsha, Head of Group Operations at Hello Perfect Aesthetic & Laser Clinic and Coordinator of PMOS 2026, reflected on the years of conversations Hello Perfect has had with women around PCOS, the symptoms they experience, and the misconceptions they encounter.
She highlighted the need to approach women’s health beyond individual conditions, noting that different health concerns can intersect and affect a woman’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
That thinking shaped the summit’s central message: women’s health cannot be discussed in silos, and understanding a condition requires looking at the whole woman and the different ways it may present. She also acknowledged Nestlé, the official hydration partner of the summit, for supporting the event and contributing to an environment centred on women’s health and well-being.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Akinyemi Olaleye reinforced the importance of looking beyond a diagnosis and paying attention to symptoms, encouraging women experiencing signs or changes in their health to seek appropriate medical evaluation. He emphasised that PMOS requires an individualised approach, given the differences in how women experience and present with symptoms.
The first panel session at the summit explored the shift from PCOS to PMOS, examining the different ways the condition can present and the importance of women paying closer attention to their bodies. The panel featured Dr. Ayomide Fatoyin, Dr. Kieva Chris-Amusan, Dr. Rama Akachukwu, Dr. Kanilo Olaloku, Dr. Grace Dunsin-Adebayo, and Dr. Ogoooluwa Ajiboso, with Pharm. Stephanie Obuagbaka Opara as its moderator.
Dr. Ayomide Fayinto encouraged women to become more intentional about observing changes in their bodies, particularly their menstrual cycles, describing menstruation as a “report card” that can provide insight into a woman’s health.
“Your menstruation is like a report card. It tells you how your month has been.”
— Dr. Ayomide Fayinto
Addressing dietary approach, Dr. Kanalio Olaloku dispelled the notion of a universal nutrition plan for managing PMOS, emphasizing the need to tailor food choices to what is accessible and realistic for every woman. She highlighted that once a diagnosis is established, integrating thoughtful nutrition alongside regular physical movement plays a key role in supporting overall well-being.
The panel also addressed diagnosis, raising more awareness and the importance of moving away from self-medication and one-size-fits-all approaches to managing PMOS, redefining how we view a diagnosis beyond strictly reproductive health.
Living With PMOS: Managing the Whole Woman
The conversation moved from medical understanding to lived experience during a dedicated panel, “Living With PMOS: Managing the Whole Woman,” where women living with PMOS shared their personal journeys.
Their stories brought a human dimension to the clinical conversations, highlighting the different ways women navigate symptoms, diagnosis, and everyday life with the condition. Speaking on the panel session are Esther Uzodinma, Osinachi Doris, Seyi Amao, and Dr. Onyii Azode, with Oluwadamilola Lagundoye moderating the session.
The panel’s openness also encouraged women in the audience to share their own experiences. What followed was a moment of shared understanding and community, as attendees recognised aspects of their own journeys in the stories of others.
For women in the room, the opportunity to hear openly from others living with PMOS reinforced an important message: they are not alone in their experiences.
Beyond the Surface: Understanding PMOS Through the Skin
The summit also examined one of the most visible ways PMOS can present: through changes to the skin.
Acne, facial hair, pigmentation, skin tags, and scalp hair thinning can be associated with PMOS, making the skin an important part of the wider conversation around the condition.
During a clinical discussion, Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, convener of the summit and CEO of Hello Perfect, explored the relationship between PMOS and skin health, noting that women may often seek help for a visible concern without initially recognising a possible hormonal or metabolic connection.
“Sometimes, the skin is where the conversation starts. What may appear to be a skin concern can be an opportunity to look deeper, understand the patterns behind it, and consider the woman as a whole,” Onyeka Michael-Ugwu said.
The discussion also examined why some skin concerns can recur even after treatment, particularly when underlying biological drivers remain. The session encouraged a more contextual approach to treating skin concerns, one that looks beyond what is visible to understand the woman behind the symptom.
Her session ultimately described the skin as a messenger, reinforcing the summit’s wider message that visible symptoms can be part of a much bigger conversation about women’s health.
Creating a New Opportunity for Women’s Health
Beyond the medical discussions, the Hello Perfect PMOS & Women Summit created a space for women to ask questions, share experiences and engage with healthcare professionals in an open and supportive environment.
From understanding the new terminology and recognising individual symptoms to hearing directly from women living with PMOS, the summit sought to move the conversation beyond awareness towards understanding, context, and community.
The theme, “A New Name. A New Understanding. A New Opportunity,” therefore extended beyond the terminology of PMOS. It represented an opportunity to rethink how women’s health conversations are approached—making room for the complexity of women’s experiences and encouraging women to pay closer attention to their bodies, seek appropriate medical care, and understand that their symptoms do not define them.
The Hello Perfect PMOS & Women Summit 2026 brought together women, healthcare professionals, advocates, partners, and members of the Hello Perfect community, creating a shared space for a conversation that continues beyond the summit.
ABOUT HELLO PERFECT
Hello Perfect is a premier destination for comprehensive medical aesthetics, laser, wellness, and dermatology services in Nigeria, with locations in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The brand is dedicated to helping clients achieve their skincare goals and maintain a healthy, flawless appearance through advanced treatments, expert care, and personalized wellness solutions.
