Charlotte Touzalin, an 18-year-old college student from Colorado, struggled with weight gain, abnormal periods, and unwanted facial hair, symptoms that plagued her mom for decades. After being diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), Touzalin took part in a study testing GLP-1 drugs as a treatment, which showed promising results in improving insulin resistance, hormone balance, and ovulation.
PMOS: A Common yet Frustrating Condition
PMOS affects 1 in 8 women worldwide, and diagnosis often takes years due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions. The disorder tends to run in families, and many women affected carry excess weight. However, there is no known cause or specific treatment, only symptom management such as taking birth control pills to regulate periods and keeping weight in check with diet and exercise.
Two hormones, insulin and testosterone, are key drivers of PMOS. Most women with PMOS have insulin resistance, which can lead to problems like skipped periods, severe acne, and even beard growth. Dr. Melanie Cree, who led the study Touzalin participated in, said that GLP-1 drugs have shown incredible effectiveness in improving symptoms in women with PMOS.
A New Treatment Option
Touzalin’s results were not unique. Early data from the study showed that eight of 11 participants lost at least 10% of their body weight, with a median weight loss of about 42 pounds. Six women had more periods, and four of them went to monthly periods. While the study involved semaglutide shots, other studies have examined semaglutide pills and exenatide shots, all showing similar positive results.
As research continues, more doctors are prescribing GLP-1 drugs off-label for PMOS, seeing improvements in their patients. However, insurance coverage is often a problem, as the drugs are not approved to treat the condition. Touzalin’s mom, Anne Schultz, is determined to get her daughter back on the medication, fighting with their insurer and exploring alternative options.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
