Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

N Engl J Med 2005;352:1223-36. Copyright © 2005 Massachusetts Medical Society. n 1935, stein and leventhal published a paper on their findings in seven women with amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, and a characteristic polycystic appearance to their ovaries — one of the first descriptions of a complex phenotype today known as the polycystic ovary syndrome. 1 Insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of the polycystic ovary syndrome has increased substantially in the decade since this topic was last addressed in the Journal . 2 The condition is now well recognized as having a major effect throughout life on the reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular health of affected women. This review addresses current knowledge regarding the diagnosis, cause, and treatment of the polycystic ovary syndrome.