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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Phase 4PERIODSNCT07326111

A Clincial Study Testing Tirzepatide on Reproductive Function and Metabolic Health in Women With PCOS Who Are Overweight or Obese

A Phase 4 study testing Tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Obesity & Overweight, run by University of Bonn at 2 sites in Germany.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This clinical study examines whether tirzepatide can improve ovarian dysfunction in premenopausal women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are overweight or have obesity. Tirzepatide is already approved for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, but its effects on ovarian dysfunction in PCOS are not yet known. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
What is being tested?
Tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
198 participants
Where
2 sitesGermany
Study dates
9 Dec 2025to Dec 2029
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

General Inclusion Criteria

  • Written informed consent to participate in this clinical trial in accordance with local regulations and the ethical review board governing this clinical trial
  • Subjects
  • motivated, capable, and willing to self-inject IMP, as required for this protocol.
  • motivated, capable, and willing to follow trial procedures for the duration of the clinical trial, includ-ing, but not limited to lifestyle, dietary and exercise advice.
  • motivated, capable, and willing to complete trial diaries and required questionnaires.

Indication-specific Inclusion Criteria

  • Females aged 18 - 45 years of childbearing potential
  • At least 3 years post-menarche and premenopausal
  • BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²
  • Previous diagnosis of PCOS, defined by Rotterdam criteria
  • Oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea with irregular periods (defined as cycle length less than 21 or more than 35 days or < 8 cycles per year); within the last 10 years (if currently receiving hormonal contraceptive treatment) OR over the last year in the absence of hormonal contraceptive treatment
  • Biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism with total testosterone in upper 95th Percentile AND free androgen index (FAI) > ULN and/or clinical signs of hyperandrogenism
  • Hormonal contraceptive naïve or not on hormonal contraceptives six months prior to screening, willing to be without hormonal contraceptives for the duration of the clinical trial and to perform safe alternate contraception (barrier methods) during the 72-week IMP intake period and 30 days after the last dose of IMP

General Exclusion Criteria

  • Subjects without legal capacity who are unable to understand the nature, scope, significance and consequences of this clinical trial
  • Subjects with a physical or psychiatric condition which at the investigator's discretion may put the subject at risk, may confound the trial results, or may interfere with the subject's participation in this clinical trial
  • Note: Patients with depression or other psychiatric disorder whose disease state is considered stable and expected to remain stable throughout the course of the clinical trial, in the opinion of the investigator, may be considered for inclusion.
  • Note: Subjects with a lifetime suicidal event cannot be considered for inclusion
  • Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial, or participation in a clinical trial taking an investiga-tional product, up to 30 days after last IMP intake in that clinical trial
  • Known or persistent abuse of medication, drugs or alcohol
  • History of an active or untreated malignancy or being in remission from a clinically significant malig-nancy for less than 5 years
  • Excluding basal- or squamous-cell skin cancer or in situ carcinomas of the cervix
  • Prior diagnosis of severe renal impairment or measured as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² during screening
  • Acute or chronic hepatitis, signs and symptoms of any other liver disease other than non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level > 3.0 X the upper limit of normal, as deter-mined by the laboratory during screening
  • History of gastric emptying abnormality (e.g., gastroparesis, gastric outlet obstruction or chronic de-pendence on drugs that significantly affect gastric emptying)
  • Current (positive pregnancy test, e.g., ß-HCG test in urine / serum) or planned pregnancy during the 72-week treatment period from randomization, or nursing women

Indication-specific Exclusion Criteria

  • Prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus other forms than type 2
  • Note: Excluding prior history of gestational diabetes
  • In case of diabetes mellitus type 2, exclusion of subjects
  • on DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1R agonist and/or a dual/triple incretin agonist (up to 6 months prior to screening)
  • on sulfonylureas or insulin (basal and/or bolus)
  • with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 8.5%)
  • with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy requiring acute treatment
  • with diabetic maculopathy
  • Note: use of metformin or SGLT-2-inhibitor (if needed for glycemic control in type-2-diabetes) is allowed
  • Current or prior treatment (up to 6 months prior to screening) with GLP-1R agonist or a dual incretin agonist for obesity or other indications
  • Use of inositol formulations (up to 6 months prior to screening)
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH, classic and non-classic forms)
  • Thyroid, pituitary, and/or adrenal disease (if not appropriately treated)
  • Note: Excluding stable disease and/or stable drug dose 12 weeks before screening
  • Hyperprolactinaemia
  • Known history of benign intrauterine lesions
  • Hysterectomy
  • Known history of hypersensitivity against tirzepatide or excipients
  • Known history of hypersensitivity against medroxyprogesterone acetate or dydrogesterone or any other ingredients of the Auxiliary Medicinal Products
  • Known personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or subjects with Multiple Endocrine Ne-oplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • Elevated calcitonin levels as determined by the laboratory during screening
  • ≥ 20 ng/L, if eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2
  • ≥ 35 ng/L, if eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2
  • Known secondary cause of obesity (i.e., Cushing syndrome) or monogenetic or syndromic forms of obesity (i.e., melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency or Prader Willi Syndrome)
  • Known history of acute or chronic pancreatitis
  • Previous or planned bariatric surgery or endoscopic and/or device-based therapy for obesity
  • Note: excluding liposuction or abdominoplasty if performed > 1 year prior to screening
  • Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
  • Known thromboembolic events or active thrombophlebitis

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Wiebke Fenske K. Head of Department at BG Universitätsklinikum Bochum, Professor contact

+49 234 302 3613

wiebke.fenske@bergmannsheil.de

Charlotte Fries M. Senior Physician, MD contact

+49 228 287 52533

charlotte.fries@ukbonn.de

Germany2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • University Hospital BG Bergmannsheil Bochum General internal medicine, endocrinology and diabetology, gastroenterology and hepatology

    Bochum, 44789

    Enrolling by invitation
  • University Hospital Bonn Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

    Bonn, 53127

    Charlotte Fries, MD, +49 228 287 52533, studien.endokrinologie@ukbonn.de

    Charlotte Fries, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in Germany

About this study

Official title: A Clinical Trial of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Subjects With Overweight or Obesity and PCOS-related Ovarian Dysfunction

This clinical study examines whether tirzepatide can improve ovarian dysfunction in premenopausal women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are overweight or have obesity. Tirzepatide is already approved for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, but its effects on ovarian dysfunction in PCOS are not yet known. Participants will be randomly assigned to tirzepatide or placebo in a double-blinded manner.

The goal of the study is to demonstrate that tirzepatide, at the maximum tolerated dose, is superior to placebo for improvement of ovarian dysfunction as defined by menstrual irregularity in overweight or obesity-related PCOS.

All participants will have a screening visit, followed by 72 weeks of treatment. Treatment includes a 20-week dose-escalation period and a 52-week maintenance period. Lower doses may be used if side effects occur, and the highest tolerated dose will be continued through the maintenance phase. A 4-week safety follow-up will take place after treatment, and long-term follow-up will continue for one year. The study will take place at five clinical trial sites in Germany.

Read the detailed description

PERIODS is a prospective, phase IV, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial that will investigate the effects of tirzepatide compared with placebo on ovarian dysfunction in premeno-pausal, overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) women with PCOS. The primary endpoint is the improvement of ovarian dysfunction as defined by menstrual irregularity and ovulation frequency in overweight or obesity-related PCOS.

All subjects will undergo a screening visit and a 72-week treatment period including a 20-week dose escalation up to the maximum tolerated dose. Lower doses of tirzepatide are permitted if intolerable side effects occur. However, even if a lower dose of tirzepatide turns out to be the maximum tolerated dose, this lower dose will be administered for the entire 20-week dose escalation period, followed by the 52-week maintenance dose.

The safety follow-up period will be 4 weeks (for subjects completing or discontinuing IMP during the first 72 weeks). Long-term follow-up will be one year after discontinuation of IMP.

The trial design is multi-centred with a planned number of 5 participating trial sites in Germany.

Being tested
Tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention, Placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention
Keywords
pcos, tirzepatide, obesity, reproductive health, polycystic ovary syndrome
Medical subject headings
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Obesity, Overweight

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle interventionDrug

    Doses: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg Mode of application: weekly subcutaneous injection, prefilled pen injector Duration of treatment: 72 weeks (20 weeks dose escalation, 52 weeks treatment with maximum tolerated dose)

  • Placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle interventionDrug

    Dose: Placebo Pens to mimic doses 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg Mode of Application: weekly subcutaneous injection, prefilled pen injector Duration of Treatment: 72 weeks

Study groups in NCT07326111
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Treatment GroupActive comparatorWeekly abdominal subcutaneous injection of tirzepatide over a 72-week treatment period including a 20-week dose-escalating regiment and 52-week treatment period adjunct to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
Receives: Drug: Tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention
Control GroupPlacebo comparatorWeekly abdominal subcutaneous injection of a placebo injectable over a 72-week period ad-junct to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Receives: Drug: Placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Improvement of ovarian dysfunction as defined by menstrual irregularity in overweight or obesity-related PCOS

    1. Mean menstrual bleeding ratio (number of menstrual bleedings divided by treatment period in months) during the last 52 weeks of treatment, assessed at 72 weeks after randomization
    2. Mean change in menstrual bleeding ratio from baseline, calculated at 72 weeks after randomization (with baseline defined as mean menstrual bleeding ratio during the 6 months before randomization)

    Measured: At 72 weeks after randomization

  2. Key Secondary - Improvement of ovarian dysfunction as defined by ovulation frequency in overweight or obesity-related PCOS

    Total number of biochemically confirmed ovulatory events (within 24 weeks after completed dose titration) measured by weekly serum progesterone

    Measured: Within 24 weeks after completed dose titration

Secondary outcomes (21)
  1. Percentage of Participants With Normalization of Menstrual Cycle

    Normalization of the menstrual cycle is defined as a cycle length greater than 21 days and less than 35 days, or more than 8 cycles per year. This endpoint compares the proportion of subjects achieving this criteria in the tirzepatide group versus the placebo group.

    Measured: Week 72

  2. Change From Baseline in Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

    Assessment of AMH as a surrogate marker for ovarian follicle pool and ovarian morphology.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  3. Change From Baseline in Biochemical Androgen Profile

    Evaluation of the androgenic status including Total Testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), DHEA-S, and Androstenedione. Results will be reported as the change from baseline or the ratio of Week 72 to baseline.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  4. Change From Baseline in Calculated Free Androgen Index (FAI) and Calculated Free Testosterone

    FAI is calculated as (Total Testosterone/SHBG) x 100. Free Testosterone is calculated using the Vermeulen formula or a similar validated method based on Total Testosterone and SHBG levels.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  5. Change From Baseline in Pituitary-Gonadal Hormones (LH, FSH, Estradiol, Progesterone)

    Assessment of the hormonal regulation of the ovarian cycle by measuring Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Estradiol, and Progesterone.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  6. Percentage Change in Body Weight from Baseline to Week 72

    Relative change in total body weight compared to the starting weight.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  7. Percentage of Participants Achieving ≥ 5%, ≥ 10%, ≥ 15%, and ≥ 20% Body Weight Loss

    Proportion of subjects in each treatment arm who reach the specified weight loss thresholds at Week 72.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  8. Change from Baseline in Body Composition (BIA) at Week 72

    Mean change in fat mass and fat-free mass as measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  9. Change from Baseline in Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio

    Measurement of abdominal fat distribution change from randomization to Week 72.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  10. Change from Baseline in Fasting Glucose and HbA1c at Week 72

    Assessment of long-term and fasting glycemic control.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  11. Change from Baseline in Systemic Insulin Sensitivity Indices

    Evaluation of insulin sensitivity using the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI), Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR), and Matsuda's Insulin-Sensitivity Index derived from OGTT data.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  12. Change from Baseline in Fasting Lipid Profile at Week 72

    Mean change in Triglycerides and the Triglyceride-to-HDL Ratio.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  13. Change from Baseline in Fasting Lipid Profile at Week 72

    Mean change in Total Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol and HDL cholesterol

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  14. Change from Baseline in Liver Enzymes and Non-invasive Biomarkers (FLI, FIB-4)

    Assessment of liver health via Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and FIB-4 Score.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  15. Change from Baseline in Liver Stiffness and Fat Content at Week 72

    Measurement of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis via imaging (e.g., Transient Elastography/FibroScan).

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  16. Change from Baseline in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

    Mean change in SBP and DBP from randomization to Week 72.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  17. Change from Baseline in High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)

    Marker for systemic meta-inflammation.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  18. Change From Baseline in the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) at Week 72

    The SF-36 is a multi-purpose, short-form health survey with 36 questions. It yields an 8-scale profile of functional health and well-being scores. Each scale is transformed to a 0-100 range, where 0 indicates the lowest level of health and 100 indicates the highest level of health (higher scores mean a better outcome).

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  19. Change From Baseline in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ)

    The PCOSQ measures health-related quality of life in women with PCOS across five domains (Emotions, Body Hair, Weight, Infertility, and Menstrual Problems). Each item is scored on a 7-point scale. Domain scores range from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life/less distress.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  20. Change From Baseline in the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version (EQ-5D-5L)

    The EQ-5D-5L consists of a descriptive system (5 dimensions) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS records the respondent's self-rated health on a vertical scale where the endpoints are labeled 'The best health you can imagine' (100) and 'The worst health you can imagine' (0). Higher scores mean a better outcome.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

  21. Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S) at Week 72

    The PGI-S is a single-item question asking the patient to rate the severity of their condition. It uses a 5-point scale: 1 (None), 2 (Mild), 3 (Moderate), 4 (Severe), 5 (Very Severe). A decrease in score indicates an improvement in condition.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 72

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Jan 2026
  2. Study start9 Dec 2025
  3. Primary completionDec 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2029 (estimated)

Resources

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 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Multi-centre, prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
198 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07326111
Sponsor's protocol ID
MED1-202202
Other IDs
2024-515982-32-00
Acronym
PERIODS
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
9 Dec 2025
Last updated
8 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Individual subject data will be available. Individual subject data (including data dictionaries) that underlie results concerning primary or secondary endpoints reported in a published scientific article will be shared on demand after deidentification. Furthermore, the following documents will be made available at least: Trial Protocol and Informed Consent Form. The data will be shared immediately following publication and ending 10 years following publication. Data are made available to researchers after a methodologically sound scientific proposal has been submitted to the Coordinating Investigator, and a steering committee consisting of the Coordinating Investigator, the representative of the Coordinating Investigator, and an authorized SZB member has approved the proposal. The data will be shared to achieve aims in the approved proposal. Proposals should be directed to Wiebke.Fenske@rub.de. To gain access, data requestors will need to sign a data access agreement.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Obesity & Overweight, run by University of Bonn at 2 sites in Germany.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jan 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 Germany. 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 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Wiebke Fenske K. Head of Department at BG Universitätsklinikum Bochum, Professor (+49 234 302 3613, wiebke.fenske@bergmannsheil.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Improvement of ovarian dysfunction as defined by menstrual irregularity in overweight or obesity-related PCOS (time frame: At 72 weeks after randomization). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 8 Jan 2026.

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