On October 19, 2026, the White House signed an executive order on women's health. It names infertility and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, previously named PCOS) as areas that need more research. If you're planning a family, freezing eggs or tracking an irregular cycle, here's what the order does, what it doesn't do, and what you can act on today.
Quick summary
The order creates a new Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health, due within 90 days (Executive Order, Sec. 2).
It sets up a White House Women's Health Task Force (Sec. 3).
Infertility, PMOS, endometriosis, fibroids and menopause are on its list of conditions needing research.
The order does not change your insurance coverage, and it does not mention IVF.
What the women's health executive order actually does
The order's stated goal is better "prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health outcomes for women and girls" (Sec. 4). It works mainly through research, not coverage.
A new NIH Women's Health Division
The order directs HHS, through the NIH Director, to set up a Women's Health Division within 90 days. Its duties include faster diagnosis, more women in clinical trials, and moving discoveries into clinical care (Sec. 2). HHS says the division will also enforce NIH rules on studying sex as a biological variable (HHS).
A White House task force
The new task force is co-chaired by the HHS Secretary and the White House Chief of Staff (Sec. 3). Its job is to coordinate women's health work across agencies.
A named list of conditions
The order lists conditions that need more research, including endometriosis, fibroids, "polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome," infertility, maternal health and menopause (Sec. 1). The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) said it "applauds the administration's interest" and wants the work "guided by sound science and medical evidence" (ASRM).
Why it matters for fertility
Infertility is common. The World Health Organization estimates about 17.5% of adults, roughly 1 in 6, experience it in their lifetime (WHO). In the U.S., 13.7% of women ages 20–49 have used fertility services (CDC).
Alongside the order, HHS highlighted an Infertility Initiative and "the first national training center focused on infertility education and technical assistance" (HHS). These are research and education steps. They won't change what your clinic offers this month.
What about IVF and fertility benefits?
The executive order does not mention IVF, insurance or benefits. A separate proposal does. In May 2026, the Departments of Labor, HHS and Treasury proposed letting employers offer fertility benefits as a stand-alone "excepted benefit" (Labor Department).
Under the proposal, a benefit could cover diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including hormone blood tests, and may include IVF. It would carry a lifetime cap of $120,000 per participant and their beneficiaries (Federal Register). As of November 2026, the rule is still proposed, not final.
Why it matters for PMOS
In May 2026, ASRM endorsed renaming polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS (ASRM). The name was developed with 56 patient organizations and societies and 22,000 survey responses. ASRM says PMOS affects about 1 in 8 women, more than 170 million worldwide (ASRM).
The executive order uses the new name, which signals the rename is reaching federal policy. (The order spells it "ovary"; ASRM uses "ovarian.") ASRM says the old name wrongly focused on "cysts" and ovaries. PMOS is a long-term hormonal and metabolic condition, and the new name aims to improve diagnosis and care.
What you can do now
Research takes years. Your timeline might not. A few steps you can take today:
Know your numbers. Hormone levels give you and your doctor a starting point. The Comprehensive Fertility Collection Kit ($170) measures AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, TSH and DHEA-S.
Ask about PMOS if your cycles are irregular. The PMOS Collection Kit ($149, previously named PCOS) measures testosterone, SHBG, LH, cortisol and free androgen index. Results help you and your doctor decide on next steps; they can't confirm PMOS on their own.
Check your benefits. Ask HR whether your employer offers fertility coverage. Novalynn collection kits may be HSA/FSA eligible.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute quiz to find the right kit.
Every Novalynn kit uses a finger-prick blood collection card processed by a CLIA-certified lab. Results arrive 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample. Kits are not available in New York.
FAQ
Does the executive order cover IVF? No. The order does not mention IVF (Executive Order). A separate proposed rule would let employers offer fertility benefits that may include IVF (Federal Register).
Will my insurance change because of this order? Not directly. The order creates research and coordination bodies. It does not mention insurance or benefits.
What is PMOS? PMOS, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, is the new name for PCOS, endorsed by ASRM in May 2026. It's a long-term hormonal and metabolic condition affecting about 1 in 8 women (ASRM).
When will the NIH Women's Health Division start? The order gives HHS 90 days from October 19, 2026, which points to mid-January 2027 (Sec. 2).
Can an at-home collection kit tell me if I'm infertile or have PMOS? No. A hormone collection kit gives you and your doctor information to discuss. Only your doctor can answer that, using your history and often more testing.
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Our collection kits are a tool to use with your doctor and don't replace a visit with your healthcare provider.