Polycystic Ovary SyndromePhase 2INSUPP-PCOSNCT03864068
Inositol Supplementation to Treat PCOS (INSUPP-PCOS)
A Phase 2 study testing Inositol in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Anovulation, run by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
To determine if Inositol, a dietary supplement, will improve ovarian and adrenal androgen excess in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anovulation, Hyperandrogenism
- What is being tested?
- Inositol
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 154 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 24 Jan 2020to 10 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Women with chronic anovulation or oligomenorrhea defined as spontaneous intermenstrual periods of greater than or equal to 45 days or a total of less than or equal to 8 menses per year.
- Women with Hyperandrogenism defined as a total testosterone greater than 50 ng/dL or a free androgen index greater than 10.
- Women with Polycystic Ovaries on Ultrasound defined as either 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter or increased ovarian volume greater than 10 cm.
Who cannot join
- Women with Hyperprolactinemia defined as 2 prolactin levels at least one week apart greater than 30 ng/mL.
- Women with known 21-hydroxylase deficiency or other enzyme deficiency leading to the congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- Women with elevated FSH levels greater than 10 mIU/mL.
- Women with uncorrected thyroid disease as per ASRM guidelines for nonpregnant subjects (TSH less than 0.45 mIU/mL or greater than 4.5 MIU/mL).
- Women with a suspected adrenal or ovarian tumor secreting androgens
- Women with Cushing's syndrome
- Women on confounding medications which affect ovarian function including metformin, hormonal contraceptives or other medications for type 2 diabetes
- Women with medical conditions that are contraindications to OTC inositol or previous allergic reactions to the supplement or to the placebo maltodextrin or inulin.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
About this study
Official title: Inositol Supplementation to Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double Blind Dose Ranging RCT (INSUPP-PCOS)
To determine if Inositol, a dietary supplement, will improve ovarian and adrenal androgen excess in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS).
Read the detailed description
This trial will test prospectively the effects of inositol supplementation in a dose ranging double blind randomized controlled trial, according to CONSORT guidelines. This will be a four armed study of three doses of inositol vs. placebo over a three month period with the reduction in hyperandrogenism (based on serum testosterone levels) as the primary outcome and key secondary outcomes of the change in sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) and the related free androgen index, fasting insulin levels and area under the curve glucose levels from an oral glucose challenge test (OGTT). The hypothesis is that women with PCOS who receive inositol supplementation will have a dose related reduction in hyperandrogenism. Further, we propose that the primary mechanism of inositol will be a significant improvement in hyperandrogenism (both ovarian and adrenal) vs. placebo, as documented by a lower free androgen index [decreased total testosterone and increased sex hormone blinding globulin (SHBG)], lower sebum measures and lower antral follicle counts of the ovary and anti-Mullerian hormone, all of which will correlate with the decrease in hyperandrogenism.
- Conditions
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anovulation, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Glucose Intolerance, Metabolic Complication
- Being tested
- Placebo, Inositol
- Keywords
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anovulation, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Glucose Intolerance, Metabolic Complication
- Medical subject headings
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anovulation, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Glucose Intolerance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PlaceboOther
Also called maltodextrin and inulin
Placebo
InositolDrug
1gm/bid, 2gm/bid or 3gm/bid of Inositol powder
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo Treatment bid | Placebo comparator | Women with PCOS will receive the daily placebo (maltodextrin and inulin) in an identical fashion as the active study group and will be monitored the same. Receives: Other: Placebo |
| Active Treatment with Inositol 1gm/bid | Experimental | Women with PCOS will receive daily inositol powder BID as active drug (each dose with 1000 mg of myo-inositol and 25 mg of d-chiro-inositol) over the initial 3 mos RCT period. Receives: Drug: Inositol |
| Active Treatment with Inositol 2 gm/bid | Experimental | Women with PCOS will receive daily inositol powder BID as active drug (each dose with 2000 mg of myo-inositol and 50 mg of d-chiro-inositol) over the initial 3 mos RCT period. Receives: Drug: Inositol |
| Active Treatment with Inositol 3 gm/bid | Experimental | Women with PCOS will receive daily inositol powder BID as active drug (each dose with 3000 mg of myo-inositol and 75 mg of d-chiro-inositol) over the initial 3 mos RCT period. Receives: Drug: Inositol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Total Testosterone
Total testosterone levels measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 month visits.
Measured: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)
Secondary outcomes (4)
SHBG
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 month visits.
Measured: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)
Free Androgen Index (FAI)
Free Androgen Index calculated at baseline, 1 month, and 3 month visits. FAI is calculated as (testosterone/SHBG)*100 (after converting testosterone to the same units as SHBG)
Measured: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)
Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Glucose
AUC of a 2-hour 75g glucose tolerance test, which measures glucose at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. AUC was calculated at baseline and 3 month visit.
Measured: 3 months (baseline and 3 month visits)
Fasting Insulin
Fasting insulin levels measured at baseline and 3 month visit.
Measured: 3 months (baseline and 3 month visits)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Mar 2019
- Study start24 Jan 2020
- Primary completion10 Dec 2025
- Study completion10 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Polycystic Ovary SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Placebo Group; Active Treatment with Inositol 1gm/bid; Active Treatment with Inositol 2gm/bid; Active Treatment with Inositol 3gm/ bid
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 154 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Richard S. Legro, M.D., Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Investigators
- Richard S. Legro, M.D., Principal investigator, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03864068
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Study00010252
- Other IDs
- 1R01AT009484-01A1
- Acronym
- INSUPP-PCOS
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Mar 2019
- Last updated
- 28 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Inositol Supplementation to Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double Blind Dose Ranging RCT (INSUPP-PCOS)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03864068
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- INSUPP-PCOS / Study00010252
- Conditions
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anovulation, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Glucose Intolerance, Metabolic Complication
- Keywords
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Anovulation, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Glucose Intolerance, Metabolic Complication
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 154 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Study start
- 24 Jan 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 28 Oct 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
To determine if Inositol, a dietary supplement, will improve ovarian and adrenal androgen excess in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS).
Detailed description
This trial will test prospectively the effects of inositol supplementation in a dose ranging double blind randomized controlled trial, according to CONSORT guidelines. This will be a four armed study of three doses of inositol vs. placebo over a three month period with the reduction in hyperandrogenism (based on serum testosterone levels) as the primary outcome and key secondary outcomes of the change in sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) and the related free androgen index, fasting insulin levels and area under the curve glucose levels from an oral glucose challenge test (OGTT). The hypothesis is that women with PCOS who receive inositol supplementation will have a dose related reduction in hyperandrogenism. Further, we propose that the primary mechanism of inositol will be a significant improvement in hyperandrogenism (both ovarian and adrenal) vs. placebo, as documented by a lower free androgen index [decreased total testosterone and increased sex hormone blinding globulin (SHBG)], lower sebum measures and lower antral follicle counts of the ovary and anti-Mullerian hormone, all of which will correlate with the decrease in hyperandrogenism.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Placebo Group; Active Treatment with Inositol 1gm/bid; Active Treatment with Inositol 2gm/bid; Active Treatment with Inositol 3gm/ bid
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo Treatment bid | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboWomen with PCOS will receive the daily placebo (maltodextrin and inulin) in an identical fashion as the active study group and will be monitored the same. |
| Active Treatment with Inositol 1gm/bid | Experimental | Drug: InositolWomen with PCOS will receive daily inositol powder BID as active drug (each dose with 1000 mg of myo-inositol and 25 mg of d-chiro-inositol) over the initial 3 mos RCT period. |
| Active Treatment with Inositol 2 gm/bid | Experimental | Drug: InositolWomen with PCOS will receive daily inositol powder BID as active drug (each dose with 2000 mg of myo-inositol and 50 mg of d-chiro-inositol) over the initial 3 mos RCT period. |
| Active Treatment with Inositol 3 gm/bid | Experimental | Drug: InositolWomen with PCOS will receive daily inositol powder BID as active drug (each dose with 3000 mg of myo-inositol and 75 mg of d-chiro-inositol) over the initial 3 mos RCT period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Women with chronic anovulation or oligomenorrhea defined as spontaneous intermenstrual periods of greater than or equal to 45 days or a total of less than or equal to 8 menses per year.
- Women with Hyperandrogenism defined as a total testosterone greater than 50 ng/dL or a free androgen index greater than 10.
- Women with Polycystic Ovaries on Ultrasound defined as either 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter or increased ovarian volume greater than 10 cm.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Women with Hyperprolactinemia defined as 2 prolactin levels at least one week apart greater than 30 ng/mL.
- Women with known 21-hydroxylase deficiency or other enzyme deficiency leading to the congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- Women with elevated FSH levels greater than 10 mIU/mL.
- Women with uncorrected thyroid disease as per ASRM guidelines for nonpregnant subjects (TSH less than 0.45 mIU/mL or greater than 4.5 MIU/mL).
- Women with a suspected adrenal or ovarian tumor secreting androgens
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PlaceboAlso: maltodextrin and inulinPlacebo | Other | Placebo Treatment bid |
| Inositol1gm/bid, 2gm/bid or 3gm/bid of Inositol powder | Drug | Active Treatment with Inositol 1gm/bid, Active Treatment with Inositol 2 gm/bid, Active Treatment with Inositol 3 gm/bid |
Primary outcome
Total Testosterone
Time frame: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)
Total testosterone levels measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 month visits.
4 secondary outcomes
SHBG
Time frame: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)
Free Androgen Index (FAI)
Time frame: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)
Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Glucose
Time frame: 3 months (baseline and 3 month visits)
Fasting Insulin
Time frame: 3 months (baseline and 3 month visits)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Oct 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
Related trials for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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Efficacy of Ovarian Drilling Via vNOTES Laparoscopy in Patients With PCOS
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
RecruitingObservational study
The Value of LC-MS/MS Detection of Androgen Profiles in the Diagnosis of PCOS: A Prospective, Multicenter Real-world Study
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Recruiting
The Effects of the Mediterranean Diet and Synbiotics in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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Active, not recruiting
Mindfulness-Based Education For Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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Brown Adipose Tissue Modulation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Using Infrared Thermography
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Richard S. Legro, M.D. principal investigator
Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Inositol in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Anovulation, run by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 28 Oct 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Total Testosterone (time frame: 3 months (baseline, 1 month and 3 month visits)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Oct 2026.