Dealing with stubborn weight gain, missed periods or constant fatigue? It isn’t just in your head – and you’re certainly not alone. Standard blood tests and generic treatments often miss the bigger picture for many women facing a PCOS or PMOS diagnosis.
Integrative health expert and founder of Life Source, Dr Cooper, is here to shed some light. And he’s getting real about what standard PCOS/PMOS care leaves out; from hidden hormone issues to why basic supplements fall short. Breaking down what your body actually needs, here’s how to get your hormones back in your corner.
Meet the expert: Dr Russell Cooper is an integrative medical practitioner and founder of Life Source, specialising in targeted, evidence-based nutraceutical formulations to help women manage complex hormonal and metabolic conditions like PMOS.
What should women look for when choosing a supplement for PMOS?
There is no perfect medication or individual nutraceutical or combination that suits every PMOS-affected person. It was out of this recognition, that we at Life Source developed Life Source PCOS SUPPORT (which includes the Metabolic Balance and Hormone Balance supplements). From 8 years of use, it has shown to be very effective in the management of PMOS, especially with a number of infertile women falling pregnant and having healthy babies.
And while our product may not suit every woman with PMOS, our experience is that it profoundly helps many women.
To answer this question as accurately as possible… each woman needs a comprehensive set of hormonal, biochemical and genetic data, to know what nutraceuticals may be most specific for her.
But to understand why choosing the right supplement is so complex, we have to look at how PMOS actually works…
PCOS has been renamed PMOS in order to embrace the multi-endocrine hormonal involvement which has always existed, but it continues to be polarised into androgen excess and insulin resistance only. However, the ‘S’ in PMOS and PCOS stands for the word ‘Syndrome’ which means PMOS is a collection of symptoms and signs which are different for all PMOS women.
These signs and symptoms go beyond the strict Rotterdam criteria for a PCOS diagnosis from 2003, or even the updated 2023 criteria, including high AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) as an alternative to ovarian ultrasound recommended in the International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS.
This opens the dialogue that no PMOS-affected person has the exact same clinical objective signs, subjective symptoms or hormone levels for genetic and epigenetic reasons. And so there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment, be it conventional or integrative.
So really the question is a presumption that each woman knows the pathophysiological mechanism driving their unique version of PMOS so well and has an excellent command of the science behind nutraceuticals that can effect substantial improvement in their condition, that they can seamlessly choose the right nutraceuticals.
“No PMOS-affected person has the exact same clinical objective signs, subjective symptoms or hormone levels… there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment.”
READ MORE: PCOS Is Getting A Rebrand – And It Makes A Big Difference, Experts Say
The Limits of Genetic Testing and Personalised Data
Okay, let’s presume that such a woman is an expert in her condition and has done a genetic analysis that is comprehensive enough to detail all her unique polymorphisms. At the time of writing, I am not aware of commercial genetic companies offering a PMOS panel of gene polymorphisms that cover the complex genetic terrain that can provide person-specific sophisticated genetic insights at a level required for mapping the hormonal and metabolic signature of each PMOS sufferer.
So, if such a gene panel existed to provide comprehensive genetic data, such data still has to translate from the genome via the transcriptome to the proteome or phenome (i.e. as an abnormal sign or symptoms represented by an abnormal hormonal or metabolic marker that defines PMOS for that person).
Maybe in the not too distant future with AI’s exponential computing speed and capacity, sufficient genomic, epigenomic and biomarker data can be obtained for a person-specific precision treatment. To the best of my knowledge that does not exist through standard genomic and pathology platforms.
Why Standard Tests Miss the Full Hormonal Picture
For example, hyperandrogenism (excessive male hormone signs and symptoms) is a critical requirement for a PMOS diagnosis (along with oligo-ovulation or anovulation). And yet, one woman may have hair loss on her head and hair appearing elsewhere on her body. Someone else may not have hair loss but have acne. Another person may have weight gain. Someone else may have all three. Other women may have none of the above and still have hyperandrogenism.
Furthermore, when blood tests for endocrinological markers of PMOS are drawn, a testosterone level may be completely normal, but other androgens like androstenedione, DHEAS, DHT as well as urinary hormone metabolites (like androsterone, 3-alpha androstanediol) may be very elevated. And this is only assessing androgens.
READ MORE: PCOS Diet Plan: The Best Foods To Eat (And Limit) When You Have PCOS, According To Experts
The Role of Hidden Oestrogen Metabolites
One hormone completely ignored/overlooked until recently is the hormone oestrogen. It has two co-‘mother’ oestrogens (oestrone [E1] and oestradiol [E2]) with a family of oestrogen metabolites inclusive of the weak 2 hydroxy oestrone (2OH-E1) and oestradiol (2OH-E2), 6 hydroxyoestrone (6OH-E1), the proliferative 16 hydroxyoestrone (16 OH-E1) and its weak metabolite oestriol (E3) as well as vascular and potentially carcinogenic 4 hydroxy oestrone (4OH-E1) and 4OH-E2 (4 hydroxy oestradiol) each with a unique endocrine ‘personality’.
Only 17 beta oestradiol is available for blood testing. The greater family of oestrogens like androgens is not available through blood testing but rather through urine testing via the steroidogenic urinary metabolite profile. This reveals the depth of oestrogenic and progestergenic metabolites which provide a deeper understanding of tissue hormone levels.
What did you see missing in the traditional approach to PMOS that led you to develop Life Source?
The traditional approach to PMOS is driven by a two-fold treatment approach:
- Suppressing hyperandrogenism with the contraceptive Pill. This is usually done with synthetic ethinyl oestradiol (300 times stronger than human oestradiol) and a progestagen-like levonorgestrel or norethisterone (a synthetic progesterone-like chemical) to suppress the hypothalamic, pituitary & ovarian (HPO) axis, thereby shutting androgens (male hormone) production from the theca cells of ovarian follicles.
- Metformin targets complex 1 in mitochondria in liver cells reducing gluconeogenesis and lowering blood glucose levels with secondary reductions in insulin.
Some PMOS women cannot tolerate the Pill nor Metformin and conventional medicine has very little to offer if that is the case.
READ MORE: Millions of Women Struggle With PCOS In South Africa, So Let’s Unpack It
Where Traditional Treatments Fall Short – And How Targeted Nutraceuticals Fill the Gap
Since there can be a myriad gene polymorphisms in the insulin signalling cascade, this mechanism became a major target to address in our Life Source PCOS SUPPORT Metabolic Balance using nutraceuticals that support healthy insulin signalling and lowering glucose and insulin.
Life Source PCOS SUPPORT Hormone Balance takes a different approach. It balances hormones through enhancing oestrogen metabolism (through the liver via glucuronidation). And it inhibits the aromatisation of androgens to oestrogens using a natural aromatase blocker which also boosts oestrogen receptor beta acting like an anti-oestrogen.
I believe we were the first PCOS product to ‘pull’ oestrogen out of the body, thereby improving the HPO axis and enhancing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) necessary for healthy selection of a follicle to be dominant for ovulation.
In my medical practice, it has been obvious to me that many women with PMOS have symptoms of oestrogen dominance – be it poor sleep, anxiety, agitation, breast fullness and/or tenderness, fluid retention and weight gain – and have either raised oestradiol or normal oestradiol but raised oestrogen metabolites and poor methylation of metabolites.
Up until recently, very rarely has oestrogen been part of the PCOS/PMOS conversation. Only recently Letrozole, a potent aromatase inhibitor has shown to be effective in infertile PMOS patients improving fertility. From decades of clinical experience consulting with women suffering PMOS, I have observed signs, symptoms and biological blood markers of oestrogen dominance in most PMOS patients.
So the first clue is to have your blood oestradiol levels checked and if possible do urinary oestrogen metabolites.
So many organ systems are affected by PMOS. There is no one single agent – be it pharmaceutical or nutraceutical – that can target all the affected hormonal and biochemical pathways. Gynaecological hormones have a monthly ‘tide’. So having Hormonal Balance separate from the Metabolic Balance, allows for flexible dosing to mimic healthy hormone levels. This would not be possible if all ingredients were in one capsule.
Also, from a manufacturing perspective there were just too many ingredients to fit into one capsule. So the two formulas suited our approach and has shown to be effective.
READ MORE: “I Received a PCOS Diagnosis—Here’s What You Should Look Out For”
The new formula has been reformulated with higher-potency ingredients and a 30:1 myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol ratio. What informed those decisions, and what makes this formulation different?
The industry-standard 40:1 ratio of Myo-inositol (MI) to D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a plasma ratio, not a tissue ratio. In muscle, liver and adipose tissue (fat) the ratio is closer to 2:1. And muscle in these three organs contains the highest concentration of insulin receptors compared to any other organ.
In a healthy body, there is a high conversion of MI to DCI in these organs. However, in PMOS – which is characterised by insulin receptor resistance and signalling dysfunction – there is DCI deficiency.
Supporting the lowering of insulin by adding a few milligrams more (just 4.5mg) per 550mg of MI/DCI, has shown to be very effective in women using Life Source PCOS SUPPORT. That tiny extra amount of DCI has a dramatic beneficial effect on insulin resistance in muscle, fat and the liver. By lowering insulin levels, it reduces the ‘pressure’ of insulin on ovarian theca cells to produce androgens, hence lowering androgens and the ‘chaos’ that excessive androgens cause women with PMOS.
It’s been eight years of Life Source and hundreds of women. What have you learned about what women with PMOS actually need – beyond simply managing their symptoms?
It is different for every woman with PMOS again because of unique genetic and epigenetic influences. Also, there is nothing wrong with ‘managing’ or eliminating signs or symptoms – like anxiety, agitation, weight gain or sparse periods. Because a treatment that comprehensively manages symptoms well, is improving underlying hormonal dysfunction.
We have an excellent product. The nutraceuticals in the Metabolic Balance and Hormonal Balance support multiple dysfunctional pathways, often having profound benefits.
One of the most striking and unusual benefits that women with PMOS report when taking Life Source PCOS SUPPORT is an improvement in energy. ‘Energy’ is the result of effective mitochondrial function producing ample ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is our body’s biological electricity.
So it is interesting to note that D-chiro-inositol promotes the conversion of pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA. This is the starting point for the electron transport chain (ETC) – the machinery responsible for making energy in the mitochondria in the liver, muscles and fat cells.
Many women with PMOS using Life Source PCOS SUPPORT have better energy, mood and vitality, lose weight and start having a regular cycle.
READ MORE: “I’m A Gynaecologist – These Are 5 Bleeding Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore”
What are the biggest lifestyle changes that can help manage PMOS?
A balance of:
- Anaerobic exercise
- Fasting
- Eating a nutrient-dense blend of protein with some complex fibre-rich carbohydrates
- Minimally processed oils like avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil
Due to pervading insulin resistance, foods high in sugar will only aggravate PMOS symptoms. Smart natural alternatives (like cinnamon, allulose, monk fruit, maltitol or similar) and chromium-rich foods (like eggs and husks from unmilled grains) support insulin signalling and lower sugar cravings.
Our experience has been that Life Source PCOS SUPPORT helps women achieve goals they never thought possible. Many hundreds of testimonials confirm each woman’s transformation.
Can a supplement really help with PMOS, and what should women look for?
I can only speak for Life Source PCOS SUPPORT. Yes, our supplement does really help many women with PMOS. Our product was also the first to use high dose curcumin, recognising that PMOS is a pro-inflammatory as well. Curcumin targets inflammatory and metabolic pathways complementing companion ingredients in the product.
There are women who have struggled with anovulation and irregular periods, mood changes, weight gain and infertility. And they have had extraordinary improvement on Life source PCOS SUPPORT. Some women have even fallen pregnant and delivered healthy babies after years of failed IVF.
Life Source PCOS SUPPORT speaks for itself – read our testimonials!
Shop Life Source PCOS SUPPORT
Life Source PCOS SUPPORT Metabolic Balance
Life Source PCOS SUPPORT Hormonal Balance
Meet The Expert: Dr. Russell Cooper
Dr Russell Cooper is the physician behind every Life Source formula. He has over 40 years of experience in integrative medicine and has spent a lifetime listening to the body rather than overriding it.
Dr Cooper’s expertise took a deeply personal turn when his niece, Lalla, came to him struggling with PCOS. He had spent decades treating hormonal and metabolic conditions in women. He knew there were answers. He also knew how difficult and expensive those answers were to access in South Africa.
Together they founded Life Source, built on a simple conviction: that every woman deserves access to the same clinical precision that had already changed lives in his practice. The Life Source formula is the only PCOS supplement in South Africa supported by a full medical white paper written by its own formulator, setting out the clinical rationale, research evidence and patient outcomes behind every ingredient.
**WH Partnership