The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was initially described by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 (1) although elements of the diagnosis were recognized for some decades before. Stein and Leventhal described the syndrome in 7 women with amenorrhoea, enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts and hirsutism. These patients were treated with ovarian wedge resection and of the 7 all had return of their menstrual cycles, and 2 conceived.