Although the first description of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is generally credited to Stein and Leventhal in 1935, it may have been observed as early as 1721, when Italian scientist Antonio Vallisneri observed "young married peasant women, moderately obese and infertile, with two larger than normal ovaries, bumpy and shiny, whitish, just like pigeon eggs" (1). This depiction sounds similar to the subfertility and obesity commonly found in PCOS. It was not until 1921 that Achard and Thiers noticed a relationship between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in their study of the "bearded diabetic woman" (2). This relationship is present in PCOS in what might be called the "hirsute hyperinsulinemic woman." In 1935, Stein and Leventhal made the connection between amenorrhea and polycystic ovaries. In addition, they noticed the occurrence of "masculinizing changes" in many patients with polycystic ovaries, including hirsutism and acne (3). Several, though not all, of their original case studies involved women who were overweight. In all seven of their case reports, attempts to treat ovulatory dysfunction with estrogenic hormone failed, and wedge resection was employed. Surgery for PCOS is uncommon now, but all of Stein and Leventhal’s patients gained normal menstruation, and two become pregnant. Still, much has changed in the way we understand and treat PCOS.
Kimmy
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~* Currently maintaining a healthy lifestyle with CSIRO diet and exercise *~
Thanks for posting that, i found it really interesting. Ironic that it has been recognised that long ago and yet some doctors don't believe it really exsists
__________________ Me 36 DH40, TTC since Sept 02
DH has two daughters from prev marriage and his swimmers are fine.
Finally diagnosed PCOS Jan '05, perscribed 1500mg metformin
BFP 9 June 09, methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy 10 July 09
HCG levels 24 June - 132 9 July - 1179 26 June - 211 14 July - 933 28 June - 286 17 July - 673 1 July - 476 24 July - 118 5 July - 794 31 July - 13 7 July - 954
I've actually read the Stein-Levinthal article as part of research I am doing at K-State. What's interesting is that even though they connect the hyperandrogenism to the ovaries, etc., there is relatively no discussion about the effect insulin has on PCOS. That said, I know it wasn't really discovered (the relationship) until the last 25 years or so...just found it interesting.
Although the first description of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is generally credited to Stein and Leventhal in 1935, it may have been observed as early as 1721, when Italian scientist Antonio Vallisneri observed "young married peasant women, moderately obese and infertile, with two larger than normal ovaries, bumpy and shiny, whitish, just like pigeon eggs" (1). This depiction sounds similar to the subfertility and obesity commonly found in PCOS. It was not until 1921 that Achard and Thiers noticed a relationship between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in their study of the "bearded diabetic woman" (2). This relationship is present in PCOS in what might be called the "hirsute hyperinsulinemic woman." In 1935, Stein and Leventhal made the connection between amenorrhea and polycystic ovaries. In addition, they noticed the occurrence of "masculinizing changes" in many patients with polycystic ovaries, including hirsutism and acne (3). Several, though not all, of their original case studies involved women who were overweight. In all seven of their case reports, attempts to treat ovulatory dysfunction with estrogenic hormone failed, and wedge resection was employed. Surgery for PCOS is uncommon now, but all of Stein and Leventhal’s patients gained normal menstruation, and two become pregnant. Still, much has changed in the way we understand and treat PCOS.
__________________ Linda Harvey
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I've got a personal interest in the history of PCOS. Would be curious to learn more. I only found out about the insulin theory in the last three years, and from my own experience think that's the clue to the syndrome. But I wonder why no doctor ever told me about it if they've known about the insulin connection for 25 years!
I had Pcos since around age 15 (circa 1963) and was checked for everything medical (my mom was freaking out about my physical appearance...bad acne, sudden weight gain, hair!) I recall they even checked my insulin and even thought for a short time that I was diabetic. I remember being almost glad they had found a reason for my problems...but then shortly later the doctors changed their mind...so I must have been borderline IR.
Story jumps to 1983, when I was diagnosed with "androgen excess syndrome." By then, I'd managed to lose alot of weight, so looked "normal" but still chunky--but the doctor never asked me how hard it was for me to maintain my weight. I exercised like mad! I had an ovarian ultrasound at that point...fairly new procedure at the time, I think, and had the classic string of pearl cysts. Doc put me on spiro (and maybe BCPs)...which did nothing to help, so I quit the meds. Did they already know about insulin in the 1980s? I wonder why the docs didn't A) check me for IR and B) TELL ME ABOUT IT!
Needless to say, I've got little faith in the medical profession...and feel lwith PCOS you've got to really be your own advocate.
By the way...I'm originally from Kansas...lived in Manhattan for a few years. Is K-State doing PCOS research??
I've got a personal interest in the history of PCOS. Would be curious to learn more. I only found out about the insulin theory in the last three years, and from my own experience think that's the clue to the syndrome. But I wonder why no doctor ever told me about it if they've known about the insulin connection for 25 years!
I had Pcos since around age 15 (circa 1963) and was checked for everything medical (my mom was freaking out about my physical appearance...bad acne, sudden weight gain, hair!) I recall they even checked my insulin and even thought for a short time that I was diabetic. I remember being almost glad they had found a reason for my problems...but then shortly later the doctors changed their mind...so I must have been borderline IR.
Story jumps to 1983, when I was diagnosed with "androgen excess syndrome." By then, I'd managed to lose alot of weight, so looked "normal" but still chunky--but the doctor never asked me how hard it was for me to maintain my weight. I exercised like mad! I had an ovarian ultrasound at that point...fairly new procedure at the time, I think, and had the classic string of pearl cysts. Doc put me on spiro (and maybe BCPs)...which did nothing to help, so I quit the meds. Did they already know about insulin in the 1980s? I wonder why the docs didn't A) check me for IR and B) TELL ME ABOUT IT!
Needless to say, I've got little faith in the medical profession...and feel lwith PCOS you've got to really be your own advocate.
By the way...I'm originally from Kansas...lived in Manhattan for a few years. Is K-State doing PCOS research??
Many docs still overlook IR when dxing PCOS. Since not all cysters have IR or will ever have it, it often is not listed in with PCOS symptoms. Many cysters tell of docs who have never heard of PCOS and others who say their weight is the only problem, that everything will settle down when they loose weight (ignoring the fact that HALF of all cysters don't have weight problems). Others encourage women to get pregnant or have a hysterectomy (ignoring the real problems of the syndrome) to correct PCOS problems. This site has been amazing for educating thousands if not tens of thousands of women on what PCOS really is. I wish docs would spend just a week a year going through the wonderful articles Kat has posted. I think it would revolutionize PCOS health care!
Although the first description of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is generally credited to Stein and Leventhal in 1935, it may have been observed as early as 1721, when Italian scientist Antonio Vallisneri observed "young married peasant women, moderately obese and infertile, with two larger than normal ovaries, bumpy and shiny, whitish, just like pigeon eggs" (1). This depiction sounds similar to the subfertility and obesity commonly found in PCOS. It was not until 1921 that Achard and Thiers noticed a relationship between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in their study of the "bearded diabetic woman" (2). This relationship is present in PCOS in what might be called the "hirsute hyperinsulinemic woman." In 1935, Stein and Leventhal made the connection between amenorrhea and polycystic ovaries. In addition, they noticed the occurrence of "masculinizing changes" in many patients with polycystic ovaries, including hirsutism and acne (3). Several, though not all, of their original case studies involved women who were overweight. In all seven of their case reports, attempts to treat ovulatory dysfunction with estrogenic hormone failed, and wedge resection was employed. Surgery for PCOS is uncommon now, but all of Stein and Leventhal’s patients gained normal menstruation, and two become pregnant. Still, much has changed in the way we understand and treat PCOS.
Very interesting article, thank you for posting it. It is interesting to see that it was most likely around that long ago, considering most doctors blame it on our lifestyles. I doubt peasant women were eating too many Big Macs.
Definitely adds to the idea that genetics and other abnormalities lead to PCOS, rather than fast food (or in the case of me, my doctor told me to quit eating cheese and I would lose weight!). While I believe that our lifestyle contributes to our problems (maybe a trigger for PCOS, or worsens symptoms that would otherwise be mild), I strongly feel that genetics have to play a role.
Stacie
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I read here on SC once a theory that I found very intesting. PCOS has been around since the dawn of time and is mother nature's way of continuing the species. During "feast" times(good weather, good crops, good hunting, etc.) the women without PCOS are fertile and having babies, meanwhile the women without PCOS are infertile and storing up fat(the men, too...there is a male form of PCOS). Then when bed times hit, "famine," the other women mostly died off and the women with PCOS had the stored fat and were able to survive. They lost weight and were able to get PG and continue the species.
Interesting theory. I see some holes in it since there are thin cysters and I was thin and musclar and athletic in high school and still had all of the symptoms and was certainly infertile then, BUT I think that for a certain type of PCOS(there are different kinds) this theory makes sense.
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interesting article, i wonder why doctors dont take it seriously if they have know about theses effects for so long?
seem to be more concerned with erectile dysfunction, a 60 yr old man can get hard now but they still cant bother to really study the life long effects of PCOS.
PCOS is a very OLD syndrome! 
Stein-Levinthal article... 
