Not yet recruitingInterventional

Myoinositol in adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome

The MAP Trial is looking at Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormone problem affecting teenage girls. PCOS can cause irregular periods, acne, and excess hair. Current treatments often use hormones, which some young people prefer to avoid. This study aims to see if a natural food supplement called myoinositol could be a helpful alternative. While myoinositol has shown promise in adults, it hasn't been properly studied in teenagers. This is a small first study to check if a larger trial to test how well the supplement works is possible. It will involve girls aged 12-19 with PCOS taking either myoinositol or a dummy pill for 6 months, alongside lifestyle advice, to see how practical the study is.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University of Birmingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jul 2026

Estimated completion

30 Apr 2027

Polycystic ovary syndrome

What is this study about?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a common condition that affects many teenage girls. It happens when hormones in the body are a bit out of balance. This can lead to various symptoms that can be really bothersome, like irregular periods, acne, and extra hair growth. For some, it can also cause feelings of distress or worry. Beyond these daily challenges, PCOS can also increase the risk of some health problems later in life, such as diabetes and heart disease.

At the moment, treatments for PCOS often involve medicines that affect hormones. However, some young people and their families might prefer not to use these, perhaps due to worries about side effects or personal beliefs. This particular study, called the MAP Trial, wants to explore another option: a natural food supplement called myoinositol. This supplement has looked promising in studies with adult women who have PCOS, but we don't yet know if it's helpful and safe for teenagers.

It’s important to understand that this study is a 'feasibility study'. This means it’s not designed to tell us if myoinositol definitely works better than current treatments right now. Instead, it’s a vital first step to figure out if it’s practical and possible to run a much bigger study in the future that *would* properly test how well the supplement works. We need to check things like how many girls are willing to take part, how well they stick to the treatment, and if we can easily gather all the necessary information. What we learn from this study will help us plan a bigger, more definite trial later on.

Key takeaways

It's a study for teenage girls (12-19) with PCOS.
It tests a natural supplement called myoinositol as a possible alternative treatment.
This is a 'feasibility study' – checking if a bigger study is possible, not if it definitely works yet.
You'll take either myoinositol or a dummy pill for 6 months.
Involves 3 hospital visits for checks and questionnaires.
Aims to improve future PCOS care for teenagers.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for teenage girls aged between 12 and 19 years old. To take part, you need to have a confirmed diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) from a doctor. This diagnosis usually involves having irregular periods and showing signs of higher male hormones, like significant hair growth or severe acne.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you're already taking medicines specifically for PCOS, or if you've used certain hormones or myoinositol in the last three months, you wouldn't be eligible. The study also can't include you if your symptoms are caused by other medical conditions that mimic PCOS, or if you have certain allergies, can't swallow tablets, or can't read or write in English.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Am I aged between 12 and 19 years old?
Has a doctor confirmed I have PCOS?
Do I have irregular periods OR signs of higher male hormones (like significant hair or severe acne)?
Am I NOT currently taking any PCOS medication or hormonal treatments?
Have I NOT used myoinositol in the last 3 months?
Am I able to swallow tablets?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be joining for 6 months. You will be put into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin – you won't get to choose. One group will take the myoinositol supplement twice a day, and the other group will take a placebo (a dummy pill that looks the same but has no active ingredient) twice a day. No one, not even the doctors, will know which tablet you are taking until the end of the study.

You'll also receive general advice on healthy living. Throughout the 6 months, you'll have three routine appointments at the hospital. These appointments will involve checking your symptoms, completing some questionnaires about your well-being and daily life (which should take about 10-15 minutes each time), and having some routine blood tests. Some participants and their parents will also be asked if they'd like to talk about their experiences in an interview, to help us understand how to improve future research.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer personal benefits, as you may find your symptoms improve with the treatment you receive. However, even if you don't feel a direct improvement, the information we gather will be incredibly valuable. It will help us understand more about PCOS in teenagers and could lead to better treatments for other young people in the future. The main thing we ask of you is to complete the questionnaires, which take a short time. There may be some minor discomfort from blood tests. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (6)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Birmingham Childrens Hospital
Unverified
Birmingham, England
Birmingham Womens Hospital
Unverified
Birmingham, England
Liverpool Women's Hospital
Unverified
Liverpool, England
Alder Hay Childrens Hospital
Unverified
Liverpool, England
St Michaels Hospital
Unverified
Bristol, England
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Unverified
Norwich, England

Common questions

What is PCOS?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a common hormone condition that can cause problems like irregular periods, acne, and extra hair growth in teenage girls.

What is myoinositol?

Myoinositol is a natural food supplement that has shown some promise in helping adults with PCOS symptoms.

Will I know if I'm taking the real supplement or a dummy pill?

No, you won't know. Participants are randomly assigned, and neither you nor the doctors will know whether you are taking myoinositol or a placebo until the study is over.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You'll be involved for 6 months, during which you'll take the tablets daily and attend three routine appointments.

Where is this study taking place?

The study is running from six NHS hospitals in England, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Norwich, and Bristol, and is organised by the University of Birmingham.

How to find out more

Rachel Iles

r.iles@bham.ac.uk +44 (0)1213715339 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.