The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaThe polycystic ovarian syndrome remains one of the enigmas of gynaecological endocrinology. A review of the literature is presented, with emphasis on practical aspects, as illustrated by the results of a study of 139 patients with this condition. In the majority of patients the diagnosis entails clinical judgement combined with minimal biochemical determinations. However, the differential diagnosis may depend on sophisticated investigations. Since the treatment of some of these patients is as yet unsatisfactory, early diagnosis with prevention of androgenic side-effects is desirable.Publishers' versio
