Charlotte Touzalin, a young teenager, struggled with weight gain, abnormal periods, and facial hair. These symptoms also affected her mother for years and puzzled many doctors. “I’d go home and I’d cry,” said Touzalin, now an 18-year-old college student from Colorado. She found comfort when both she and her mother, Anne Schultz, were diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a condition that impacts 1 in 8 women worldwide. Unlike her mother, Touzalin is facing her young adulthood with hope after participating in a study examining GLP-1 drugs as a treatment.
Research Offers Hope
Research is growing around the use of GLP-1 obesity medications for PMOS. These drugs can help with weight loss, insulin resistance, hormone balance, and ovulation, which are critical in managing PMOS. “We need to do a better job taking care of it,” stated Dr. Melanie Cree, who has led multiple studies on GLP-1 drugs for PMOS, including the one Touzalin joined.
Cree’s study revealed promising outcomes for women with PMOS. Diagnosis can be difficult as symptoms overlap with other conditions and can often be dismissed. PMOS tends to run in families, and there is no known cause or specific treatment, only symptom management through contraceptive pills and lifestyle changes.
The Role of Hormones
Insulin and testosterone play significant roles in PMOS. Most women with this condition, regardless of weight, show insulin resistance, a situation Cree explains where insulin is less effective. This can lead to the ovaries producing more testosterone, causing issues like missed periods, acne, and facial hair growth.
Diagnosis and Breakthrough
Anne Schultz faced many diagnoses before discovering she and her daughter had PMOS. A pediatrician at first thought the issues might be related to binge eating and ADHD. Eventually, a nurse practitioner connected the dots, providing the breakthrough. “We finally had an answer,” Schultz shared emotionally.
In the trial, Touzalin gave herself semaglutide injections for 10 months, seeing reduced abnormal hair growth and regularized periods. She no longer constantly gained weight and felt fuller after meals. “I became a happier version of myself,” Touzalin reflected.
Challenges and Future Prospects
While research continues, insurance coverage remains a hurdle as GLP-1 drugs are not approved for PMOS treatment. Dr. Rana Malek, an endocrinologist, notes that these drugs aid in weight loss, but insurance coverage often limits access.
After completing the study, Touzalin faced these insurance barriers and lost access to the drugs. Her mother continues fighting for coverage, determined to help her daughter, with a plan to acquire medications through company programs.
Touzalin looks forward to a time when any PMOS patient can receive needed treatment. “It’s something that could help a lot of other people,” she expressed.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department acknowledges support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, though the AP is solely responsible for the content.