The Dr. Brighten Show

Autoimmune disease management is often reduced to one question: which medication comes next? This episode pushes back on that narrow frame.

For listeners living with fatigue, brain fog, pain, or gradual loss of function, that frustration is real. The conversation with Dr. Terry Wahls centers on a different idea: autoimmune disease is not only about immune signaling, but also about mitochondrial energy production, nutrient status, gut integrity, environmental load, and hormone transitions.

That does not turn the episode into an anti-medication message. It makes the case that symptom burden and progression may be shaped by modifiable lifestyle factors that deserve far more attention than they usually get.

So what happens when the standard conversation is too small for what patients are actually experiencing? This episode changes the conversation.

This Episode is Sponsored By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT Electrolytes 

Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Meet Terry Wahls

Dr. Terry Wahls website https://terrywahls.com/

Dr. Terry Wahls Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drterrywahls/

Environmental Working Group consumer guides https://www.ewg.org/

The Wahls Protocol https://amzn.to/4tP7RRX

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

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PCOS has a new name, and a lot of people are asking the right question: does this actually change anything?

In this episode, I break down the shift from PCOS to PMOS—polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome—and why I see it as directionally positive, but nowhere near sufficient on its own. The old name was misleading. It made “cysts” the focus, even though those findings were often just follicles, and it helped turn ultrasound imaging into the main character instead of the patient sitting in front of the provider.

That needed to change.

But a more accurate label does not automatically produce more accurate care. If clinicians still reduce this condition to irregular periods, acne, infertility, or a weight problem, then women are still going to be missed, misunderstood, and treated one symptom at a time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What PMOS means and why PCOS is being renamed

• Why the word “cysts” sent the conversation in the wrong direction

• How ultrasound findings became overemphasized in diagnosis and care

• Why the PMOS name change is helpful but still incomplete

• Why “metabolic” should not be translated as “this only counts if you live in a larger body”

• How lean PCOS patients risk being overlooked again

• Why symptom-by-symptom treatment is still one of the biggest failures in mainstream care

• Where supplements like inositol, spearmint, green tea extract, and saw palmetto may fit

• Why health coaches and influencers are now repeating metabolic PCOS insights they did not originate

This Episode is Sponsored By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT Electrolytes 

Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Have you ever started perimenopause hormone therapy and expected relief, only to feel more bloated, more irritable, more tired, or more in the grip of insomnia instead? If that sounds familiar, you are not imagining it. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Pamela Langenderfer about why hormones can be an important tool, but not the whole story.

A prescription is only one piece of the puzzle. What your body can metabolize, clear, and tolerate matters just as much as the hormone itself. That means the gut, liver, thyroid, bowel habits, histamine load, and environmental exposures may all influence whether hormone therapy helps or feels like one more thing your body has to manage.

This is the conversation I want more women to hear before they assume they simply need a higher dose, a different hormone, or another supplement. Sometimes the real question is not, “What hormone should I add?” It is, “What is getting in the way of my body responding well?”

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Dr. Pamela Langenderfer’s website: https://drlangenderfer.com/

Dr. Pamela Langenderfer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpamlangenderfer

Dr. Pamela Langenderfer’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLangenderfer/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you have PMDD and feel like you’ve tried everything—SSRIs, birth control, progesterone, gut protocols, antihistamines, supplements, cycle tracking—and you’re still crashing every luteal phase, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down why PMDD treatment is not one-size-fits-all, why some women feel better on standard care while others feel worse, and how PMDD can overlap with ADHD, perimenopause, histamine issues, endometriosis, progesterone intolerance, inflammation, and brain sensitivity to hormone changes. 

The biggest message: if your PMDD treatment has failed, you are not broken—the treatment may not have matched your biology.

Learn more about the upcoming PMDD workshop hosted by Dr. Brighten here https://drbrighten.com/pmdd

In this show, you’ll learn why PMDD is more than “bad PMS,” why normal hormone levels don’t rule it out, why SSRIs for PMDD can be helpful for some but not everyone, how birth control can help or hurt depending on your body, and how to tell whether your symptoms are more likely PMDD, ADHD, perimenopause, or all three. Dr. Brighten also shares why PMDD has such a complicated history in medicine, how pharmaceutical influence shaped the diagnosis, and why that history should never be used to dismiss the real suffering women experience.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

Pique – Pu’er Tea Duo

Gut health isn’t just about probiotics—it’s also about nourishing your microbiome. Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo delivers polyphenol-rich support to help promote microbial diversity, gut lining health, and balanced digestion. Featuring Green Pu’er for antioxidant support and Black Pu’er for digestion and reduced bloating, it’s an easy daily ritual for whole-gut wellness.

Get 20% off at https://piquelife.com/drbrighten to learn more.

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

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It seems like everywhere women turn lately, someone is talking about using Allegra or Pepcid to get through the worst days of their cycle. The stories are consistent: a few pills, and the dark cloud lifts. The question is — is it real?

The short answer is: histamine can be involved in PMDD. But the longer, more important answer is that histamine alone is not the whole story. This episode of The Dr. Brighten Show breaks down exactly why that distinction matters — and what women deserve to know before building a routine around over-the-counter antihistamines.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

Pique – Pu’er Tea Duo

Gut health isn’t just about probiotics—it’s also about nourishing your microbiome. Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo delivers polyphenol-rich support to help promote microbial diversity, gut lining health, and balanced digestion. Featuring Green Pu’er for antioxidant support and Black Pu’er for digestion and reduced bloating, it’s an easy daily ritual for whole-gut wellness.

Get 20% off at https://piquelife.com/drbrighten to learn more.

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

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Many women are told that lab work is normal while symptoms keep getting louder. Weight-loss resistance can worsen even with a normal A1C. Mood can crash before a period even when routine testing shows nothing unusual. Anxiety can intensify after birth and still be brushed aside as part of new motherhood. Digestive symptoms can flare every luteal phase and still get labeled as nothing more than hormones.

This Hormone AMA focuses on the gap between what patients feel and what standard care often catches. I walk through the patterns that tend to show up before a formal diagnosis appears on paper. Instead of treating these issues as separate problems, I connect insulin signaling, inflammation, progesterone, thyroid function, the gut, and the nervous system.

That framing matters because many women are not being ignored by a single uncaring clinician. They are being managed inside a system that often waits for disease to become obvious before offering answers. This episode explains what can be happening earlier, what questions may move the conversation forward, and which warning signs should never be brushed off.

This Episode is Sponsored By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

LMNT Electrolytes 

Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

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Can a GLP-1 medication change the way progesterone works in endometriosis? That is the central question Dr. Brighten explores in this episode, and it is not a throwaway idea. It sits at the intersection of inflammation, hormone receptor signaling, and the reality that many women are told to manage endometriosis with options that reduce symptoms without stopping the disease process.

This episode examines a novel mechanistic theory: GLP-1 agonists may help restore progesterone responsiveness by lowering inflammatory signaling inside endometriosis lesions. The conversation is careful about the evidence stage. The research is promising, but it is still emerging, and the episode makes that distinction clear while still taking women’s lived experience seriously.

That matters because women with endometriosis are often told to accept unbearable pain, mood changes, and gut disruption as normal. This episode does not accept that as the end of the story. It asks a better question: what if the inflammatory environment is part of why progesterone stops working the way it should? This episode changes the conversation.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Pique – Pu’er Tea Duo

Gut health isn’t just about probiotics—it’s also about nourishing your microbiome. Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo delivers polyphenol-rich support to help promote microbial diversity, gut lining health, and balanced digestion. Featuring Green Pu’er for antioxidant support and Black Pu’er for digestion and reduced bloating, it’s an easy daily ritual for whole-gut wellness.

Get 20% off at https://piquelife.com/drbrighten to learn more.

Shop now http://drbrighten.com/piquelife

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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When I say ADHD in women, I am not talking about simple distraction. I am talking about the kind of overload that happens when the brain is already working hard, and then motherhood asks for a million tiny decisions before noon.

That is the reality I wanted to talk about in this episode. Because for many of us, the hard part is not that we do not care. It is that we care about everything, all at once, while our executive function is trying to keep up.

In this conversation, I get honest about what it feels like when time blindness, shame, and hormone shifts collide. I also talk about the supports that help me stay functional: movement, creatine, omega-3s, magnesium, sleep, and the recovery routines I lean on when my body is asking for help.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind 

Want a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Use the code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

Shop now http://drbrighten.com/higherdose

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if the first sign that perimenopause is shifting hormones is not a hot flash, but broken sleep? For many women, the earliest clues are more subtle: waking at 2 a.m., feeling wired but tired, noticing more palpitations, or realizing that brain fog and irritability are showing up alongside restless nights.

In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, author, podcast host, and intermittent fasting expert, to unpack why sleep often becomes the first visible sign that the body needs more support in midlife. The conversation does not reduce perimenopause to sleep hygiene tips or blame women for not doing enough. It connects sleep disruption to progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, stress physiology, muscle loss, fasting, and recovery capacity.

Women are often told these changes are random or simply part of getting older. This episode takes a different approach: it treats symptoms as information and asks what the body is signaling. If perimenopause has brought brain fog, palpitations, joint pain, itchiness, recurrent infections, or overnight waking, this conversation offers a clearer framework for what may be happening. Here’s what the science says.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

Meet Cynthia Thurlow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CynthiaThurlow

Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/

Cynthia Thurlow’s Book: https://amzn.to/48hoY78

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if targeted, evidence-informed changes to daily habits could improve your chances of conceive without turning your life upside down? In this episode, I walk you through a practical fertility protocol that centers metabolic health, ovulatory function, and simple habit shifts that actually stick. I focus on what the data shows is most actionable—which labs to run and how to interpret them, which nutritional strategies and supplements have the strongest evidence for preconception support, and how sleep, stress biology, and circadian alignment shape your fertile window.

I also cover quick environmental wins to reduce chemical and thermal exposures that can undermine reproductive outcomes and share short-term strategies you can implement this week while you pursue longer-term optimizations. This isn’t about one-size-fits-all promises; it’s about prioritizing changes that change physiology, using markers we can measure, and tailoring the approach to where you are now in your cycle and life.

If you’re trying to conceive or preparing to, I designed this protocol to give you clarity, measurable steps, and realistic timelines so you can act with confidence.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Prenatal Plus

Want a science-backed prenatal that is designed to support women through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Prenatal Plus is thoughtfully formulated with active B vitamins, well-absorbed nutrients like methylated folate, iron, iodine, and essential minerals to help support energy, hormone health, and healthy development. This vegan, non-GMO, and third-party tested formula is designed to support your body through every stage of motherhood.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/prenatal-plus

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Most dry eye treatment focuses on drops. This episode is about what drops don’t fix — and the daily habits that actually change things.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten talks with Dr. Carly Rose (Dr. Rose) about what dry eye really is, why it keeps showing up, and what actually helps.

Dry eye is often less about “not making tears” and more about the tear film not staying stable—especially when the oil layer isn’t doing its job. That’s why habits like lid hygiene, warm/hot compresses, and complete blinking can make such a difference over time.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Pique – Pu’er Tea Duo

Gut health isn’t just about probiotics—it’s also about nourishing your microbiome. Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo delivers polyphenol-rich support to help promote microbial diversity, gut lining health, and balanced digestion. Featuring Green Pu’er for antioxidant support and Black Pu’er for digestion and reduced bloating, it’s an easy daily ritual for whole-gut wellness.

Get 20% off at https://piquelife.com/drbrighten to learn more.

Shop now http://drbrighten.com/piquelife

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

Shop now http://higherdose.com/drbrighten

Dr. Carly Rose’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorrosetalks/

Dr. Carly Rose’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorrose

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you’ve ever wondered why you used to be able to hold it all together and now suddenly feel like your brain is working against you, this episode will hit home. In this conversation, Dr. Brighten unpacks the reality of ADHD masking, why so many women go decades without a diagnosis, and how perimenopause ADHD symptoms can make long-standing coping mechanisms stop working almost overnight. This episode connects the dots between hormones, executive dysfunction, burnout, sensory overload, and the invisible labor women carry every day, making it especially relevant for women who have spent years being told they are lazy, too emotional, or simply need to try harder.

In this episode, listeners will learn why ADHD masking is not “faking it,” but a survival strategy many women rely on to fit in, perform, and protect relationships. They will also hear how hormonal shifts, especially during perimenopause, can strip away the brain’s ability to compensate, revealing symptoms that may have been present all along. 

Dr. Brighten also explores the overlap between ADHD, autism, sleep issues, metabolic health, chronic stress, and women’s hormone changes, while offering practical ways to reduce load, support the brain, and stop blaming yourself for symptoms that were never a character flaw.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind 

Want a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind

LMNT Electrolytes 

Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if the condition of your skin was saying far more about your health than whether you need a new moisturizer? In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with microbiologist Kiran Krishan to unpack a provocative idea: that skin barrier dysfunction may be linked not only to dryness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, but also to systemic inflammation, hormone shifts, gut health, and even long-term disease risk.

This episode challenges the modern skincare mindset and asks a bigger question: are we trying to make skin look better while quietly making it less healthy?

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Myo-Inositol Plus— a research-backed formula designed to support hormone balance, metabolic health, and ovarian function. Featuring the clinically studied 40:1 ratio of myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol, it helps promote healthy ovulation, improve insulin sensitivity, and support more regular cycles—making it a powerful daily tool for PCOS, fertility, and overall hormone support.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Use code BRIGHTEN for 15% off your first purchase. Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

Kiran Krishnan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiranbiome/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

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If you’ve been wondering whether Ozempic, semaglutide, tirzepatide, or other GLP-1 medications could help with endometriosis symptoms, chronic pelvic pain, adhesions, fatigue, or endo belly, you are not alone. More and more women with endometriosis are reporting that GLP-1 medications may be helping with symptoms that go far beyond weight loss, from lower inflammation and less pain to improved energy and better blood sugar stability.

But what does the science actually say?

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the emerging research and real-world clinical observations around GLP-1 receptor agonists and endometriosis, including what is currently known, what remains theoretical, and why this conversation may be one of the most important developments in women’s health right now.

You’ll learn how GLP-1 medications like Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), liraglutide, and exenatide may influence inflammatory signaling, fibrosis, metabolic dysfunction, and long-term cardiovascular risk in women living with endometriosis.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

This episode is brought to you by The Endometriosis Reset, my step-by-step program designed to help women address the full-body drivers of endometriosis symptoms, including inflammation, blood sugar instability, endo belly, fatigue, scar tissue support, and nervous system dysregulation.

Inside the program, I walk you through clear protocols for nutrition, supplement timing and dosing, lifestyle support, and the conversations to have with your doctor so you can stop piecing together conflicting advice online.

Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/endocourse

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you’ve ever been told to “just go on birth control” for endometriosis, this episode is going to change the way you understand endometriosis and hormones.

Hormonal therapy is often the first-line treatment for endometriosis, but not all hormones work the same way and for many women, birth control helps symptoms without ever addressing the underlying disease. In this powerful final panel episode of our endometriosis expert series, leading excision surgeons and hormone specialists unpack the truth about the best birth control for endometriosis, progesterone resistance, HRT, perimenopause flares, and whether endometriosis is truly a hormone imbalance.

You’ll learn why some women feel better on hormonal suppression, why others feel dramatically worse, and what every woman deserves to know before being told to wait for menopause, try Lupron, or start HRT.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

Meet Our Experts

Dr. Anna Sierra, Endometriosis Surgeon with Neuropeviology Training Doyenne Institute and Endo Global Based in Mexico City https://jolene.endoglobalgroup.com/

Dr. Cindy Mosbrucker, Endometriosis Excision SurgeonPacific Endometriosis and Pelvic SurgeryBased in Gig Harbor, Washington https://pacificendometriosis.com/

Dr. Shanti Mohling, Endometriosis Excision SurgeonNorthwest Endometriosis and Pelvic SurgeryBased in Portland, Oregon https://www.nwendometriosis.com/

Dr. Victoria Vargas, Endometriosis Excision Surgeon

Founder, Washington Endometriosis and Complex SurgeryBased in Washington DC https://www.washingtonendometriosis.com/dr-maria-victoria-vargas-md/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Perimenopause doesn’t announce itself the way most women expect. There’s no official start date, no clear signal—just a slow unraveling of things that used to feel easy. Your brain misfires mid-sentence. Your body sends strange, almost unbelievable signals. And somewhere along the way, you’re told, “Your labs are normal.”

In fact, many women start searching things like “itchy ears perimenopause,” “burning tongue menopause,” “perimenopause weird symptoms,” or “why do I feel electric shocks in my body in my 40s” because the symptoms don’t seem connected to hormones at all.

In this episode, we unpack the most overlooked and misunderstood symptoms of perimenopause (the ones that leave women questioning their sanity) and more importantly, what’s actually driving them beneath the surface. Because once you understand the “why,” you can finally do something about it. And I’ll guide you on when symptoms may be more serious and when it is time to see a doctor.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

HigherDOSE – Red Light Showerhead Filter

Your shower water could be impacting your skin more than you think. The HigherDOSE Red Light Showerhead Filter features a 10-stage filtration system designed to reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants that can contribute to dryness and irritation. It also includes built-in red light therapy to support cellular energy and overall skin appearance—turning your daily shower into a more restorative ritual.

Save 15% at http://higherdose.com/drbrighten and use code DRBRIGHTEN15 for 15% off

Pique – Pu’er Tea Duo

Gut health isn’t just about probiotics—it’s also about nourishing your microbiome. Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo delivers polyphenol-rich support to help promote microbial diversity, gut lining health, and balanced digestion. Featuring Green Pu’er for antioxidant support and Black Pu’er for digestion and reduced bloating, it’s an easy daily ritual for whole-gut wellness.

Get 20% off at https://piquelife.com/drbrighten to learn more.

Shop now http://drbrighten.com/piquelife

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

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In this powerful surgical roundtable, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with four leading endometriosis surgeons to unpack what truly determines success in endometriosis surgery and why so many women are left worse off after procedures that were supposed to help. This is the 3rd episode in our endometriosis panel expert series—be sure to check out the previous episodes for more endometriosis specific information. 

This is not a generic “what is endometriosis” conversation. It is a deep dive into surgical skill, systemic failures, fertility trade-offs, nerve involvement, recurrence myths, and the hard truths about hysterectomy. If you’re considering surgery — or recovering from one — this episode may change how you think about your options.

In this discussion, you’ll learn how to identify red flags in a surgical consult, what “peek and shriek” means (and why it can sometimes be safer than incomplete surgery), why reimbursement structures influence care, and what realistic recovery looks like.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten’s N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/n-acetyl-cysteine is a high-quality formula designed to support glutathione production — your body’s master antioxidant. It helps promote healthy detoxification, immune resilience, respiratory health, and balanced inflammation.

Support your cells from the inside out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation. https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Meet Our Experts

Dr. Victoria Vargas, Endometriosis Surgeon https://www.washingtonendometriosis.com/dr-maria-victoria-vargas-md/

Dr. Ana Sierra, Endometriosis Surgeon with Neuropeviology Training https://jolene.endoglobalgroup.com/

Dr. Cindy Mosbrucker, Endometriosis Excision Surgeon https://pacificendometriosis.com/

Shanti Mohling, MD, Endometriosis Surgeon https://www.nwendometriosis.com/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you are looking for natural ways to manage endometriosis, the most important thing to understand is this: endometriosis is not just a surgical condition. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains why many women continue to experience pelvic pain, fatigue, brain fog, gut issues, and flares even after surgery, and what a more complete support plan can look like. The conversation covers inflammation, gut health, estrogen metabolism, stress physiology, pelvic floor dysfunction, immune resilience, and blood sugar stability so women can better understand why symptoms persist and what may help support long-term recovery. This framing closely matches the episode itself, which centers on six biological systems influencing symptoms and emphasizes that surgery can help, but is not always the whole answer.

If you have ever felt dismissed, confused by ongoing symptoms, or frustrated that your body still does not feel better after treatment, this episode offers a more useful roadmap. Women with endometriosis wait an average of seven to ten years for diagnosis, and Dr. Brighten shares that it took her twenty-nine years to get her own.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation. https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This conversation dives deep into endometriosis relief of pain, laparoscopy for endometriosis pain, and the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in females, offering insight into why conventional approaches often fall short. The experts discuss how endometriosis pain can evolve over time, from inflammatory pelvic pain to complex nervous-system-driven chronic pain, and why a comprehensive treatment strategy is often required.

If you’ve ever been told your pain is “normal,” that imaging looks fine, or that suppression is your only option, this episode explains what medicine often gets wrong about chronic pelvic pain in females and what women deserve to know instead.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials – NACDr. Brighten’s N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/n-acetyl-cysteine is a high-quality formula designed to support glutathione production — your body’s master antioxidant. It helps promote healthy detoxification, immune resilience, respiratory health, and balanced inflammation.

Support your cells from the inside out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Ana Sierra https://www.instagram.com/institutodoyenne/ is an endometriosis excision surgeon specializing in advanced laparoscopic treatment of complex endometriosis. She has extensive training in neuropelviology and pelvic pain.

Dr. Victoria Vargas https://www.washingtonendometriosis.com/dr-maria-victoria-vargas-md/ is a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon specializing in advanced laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and complex pelvic disorders.

Dr. Shanti Mohling https://www.nwendometriosis.com/ is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and internationally recognized endometriosis excision surgeon.

Dr. Cindy Mosbrucker https://pacificendometriosis.com/ is a fellowship-trained gynecologic surgeon specializing in excision surgery for endometriosis and complex pelvic pain disorders.

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💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you’ve ever wondered “why do I get migraines before my period?” or felt weirdly “allergic” to your own cycle, you’re not imagining things. You may be stuck in the estrogen histamine feedback loop, a biologic back-and-forth where hormones and immune chemistry keep poking each other until symptoms flare.

This is the part that makes people feel dismissed: your labs can look “normal” while your body clearly isn’t acting normal. You bounce between an allergist for hives, a neurologist for migraines, a GI doctor for bloating, and maybe someone offering an antidepressant for the sudden anxiety that shows up like clockwork. Still, the pattern keeps repeating.

The reality is that estrogen and histamine aren’t separate storylines. They’re in the same conversation—sometimes as allies, sometimes as accelerants. Once you see the connection, a lot of “random” symptoms finally start to make sense.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials  https://drbrightenessentials.com/

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family.

Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription)

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Endometriosis is one of the most misunderstood conditions in women’s health. Millions of women live with severe pain, fatigue, digestive problems, infertility, and systemic inflammation—yet many are told their symptoms are “normal” or dismissed entirely. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we take a deeper look at what is endometriosis, why it behaves as a whole-body inflammatory disease, and how women can begin to better understand the signals their bodies are sending. 

In this episode, you’ll hear an in-depth discussion about endometriosis symptoms, why the disease often goes unrecognized, and how a more comprehensive understanding of inflammation, immune signaling, and nervous system regulation may change the way we approach this condition. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, suspect you may have endometriosis, or have been navigating symptoms for years, this episode provides clarity on what may actually be happening inside the body and what steps women can begin taking today.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation. https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Meet the Doctors in This Episode

Dr. Ana Sierra https://www.instagram.com/institutodoyenne/

Dr. Victoria Vargas https://www.washingtonendometriosis.com/dr-maria-victoria-vargas-md/

Dr. Shanti Mohling https://www.nwendometriosis.com

Dr. Cindy Moss Bricker https://pacificendometriosis.com

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you’ve ever been told that heavy periods, worsening PMS, or debilitating cramps are just part of being a woman, this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show challenges that narrative. In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the three most common menstrual problems she sees in clinical practice—heavy bleeding, PMS that keeps getting worse, and severe period pain, and explains why they happen and what women can do about them.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re piecing together conflicting advice from social media, Google, and different doctors, this episode aims to bring clarity. By the end of the conversation, you’ll understand the shared biological pattern that links heavy bleeding, PMS, and period pain and how to start addressing the root causes instead of just managing symptoms.

This episode is especially valuable for women navigating PCOS, perimenopause, hormone imbalance, painful periods, or unexplained PMS, because it connects the dots between hormones, inflammation, and the nervous system in a way that is both practical and evidence-informed.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials – Period Problems Kit

Struggling with PMS, fatigue, or cycle-related symptoms? The Period Problems Kit from Dr. Brighten Essentials combines three targeted formulas—Balance, Adrenal Support, and Women’s Probiotic—to support hormone balance, stress resilience, and gut health throughout your cycle. Designed to help address common period concerns -  it’s a comprehensive approach to feeling your best all month long. 

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/period-problems-kit

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Support for The Dr. Brighten Show makes it possible to continue bringing you evidence-based conversations on women’s health, hormones, and metabolic wellness.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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I talk to women every week who’ve been told their pain is “just part of being a woman”—even when it’s stealing their school years, careers, relationships, and fertility. This episode is a direct challenge to that narrative. Endometriosis is not simply a pelvic problem or a “hormone issue.” It’s a systemic, neuroinflammatory condition that can drive full-body symptoms, persistent pain, and fertility struggles—while still being dismissed or mismanaged in standard care.

Here’s the thesis: endometriosis is frequently misdiagnosed and undertreated, and many common approaches—like defaulting to hormonal suppression or jumping straight to IVF—often mask symptoms or bypass the root cause rather than addressing it. In contrast, specialized excision surgery (done well) plus holistic optimization (sleep, inflammation, pelvic floor, nutrition) can be a game-changer for both pain relief and fertility.

“If your period pain puts you in the fetal position or makes you miss work, that’s a red flag—not ‘normal.’”

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials – NAC Dr. Brighten’s N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/n-acetyl-cysteine) is a high-quality formula designed to support glutathione production — your body’s master antioxidant. It helps promote healthy detoxification, immune resilience, respiratory health, and balanced inflammation.

Support your cells from the inside out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

Dr. Patrick Yeung

Patrick Yeung’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppyeungjrmd/

Patrick Yeung Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ppyeungjrmd/

Patrick Yeung’s Clinic: Restore Center for Endometriosis https://www.restoreendo.com/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you feel like "protein" has become a competitive sport on your social media feed, you are not alone. Between the "What I Eat In A Day" videos and the pressure to carry hard-boiled eggs in your purse, the message is clear: more is better. But for the woman in perimenopause, "more" is not a strategy: it is a recipe for burnout. You do not need to eat like a bodybuilder to save your muscle. You need to eat like a woman who understands her changing hormones and the daily protein intake for women that actually works.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I examine the science behind daily protein intake for women and explain how declining estrogen, shifts in insulin sensitivity, and age-related anabolic resistance change your protein requirements. We discuss whether 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram is sufficient, when higher protein targets may be appropriate, how protein distribution across meals impacts muscle protein synthesis, and why extreme recommendations can crowd out fiber and negatively affect gut and thyroid health.

If you are trying to determine the right daily protein intake for women in perimenopause — whether you should aim for 90 grams, 120 grams, or more — this episode provides a research-informed, nuanced framework rather than a one-size-fits-all number.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Shop now http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

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Let’s talk about the divorce rate in America without the blame games, the “men are trash” hot takes, or the tired advice that sounds good on a mug but falls apart the minute a kid pukes at 2 a.m.

Here’s the reality: divorce is common, but it’s not random. Patterns show up again and again—especially in midlife. And if you’re hearing more conversations about menopause and divorce, that’s not because hormones “ruin women.” It’s because midlife can amplify everything that was already fragile: emotional disconnection, uneven mental load, and intimacy that feels more like pressure than connection.

The full article (which is based on my conversation with therapist Leann Borneman on The Dr. Brighten Show) can be found here https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menopause-and-divorce/ with all the links mentioned in this episode.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

Coconu

Want body-safe, hormone-friendly intimacy products you can trust? 🥥 At Coconu, everything is made with organic, plant-based ingredients and free from hormone disruptors, harsh chemicals, and synthetic additives. From luxurious lubricants to intimate essentials, Coconu is designed to support comfort, confidence, and connection — helping you feel your best in your most personal moments.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code DRBRIGHTEN15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://coconu.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooMIqrz83hshHQKhKgBI10ExK2Q2Erh3DUCLJ-BTwC79XgO4WrL

Leann Borneman resources:

• Leann Borneman’s website resources: Partner Intimacy Menu https://www.bornemancoaching.com/product-page/partner-intimacy-menu and ADHD-informed Bedroom Check-in https://www.bornemancoaching.com/product-page/adhd-informed-bedroom-check-in-digital-pdf-download
• Leann Bourneman’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bornemanpsychotherapy
• Leann Bourneman;s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornemanpsychotherapy/
• Leann Bourneman’s Website: https://www.bornemancoaching.com/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

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When news broke about James Van Der Beek colon cancer, it forced a conversation many people have been avoiding. Colon cancer has long been considered a disease of older adults. But that narrative is outdated. Rates are climbing in younger people. Women are being diagnosed earlier. And far too many are told their symptoms are “just stress,” “just IBS,” or “just hormones.”

In this episode, we unpack what’s really happening with colon cancer trends, what the symptoms of colon cancer actually look like (especially in women), and what you can do right now to lower your risk. This is not fear-based medicine. This is informed, proactive prevention rooted in science. We break down colon cancer screening options, the data on early-onset disease, and the often-overlooked causes of colon cancer—from dietary patterns to microbiome shifts to hormone changes in midlife.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to protect yourself and your family with clarity instead of confusion.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic is formulated to support healthy digestion, vaginal microbiome balance, and everyday immune function—simple, daily care for women.A balanced microbiome is foundational for feeling your best—from digestion to confidence.Quality you can trust: third-party tested; manufactured in a cGMP facility

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family.

Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription)

Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

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Midlife weight gain is often blamed on a “slowing metabolism.” But the science tells a different story.

Between ages 20 and 60, your metabolism barely changes. What does change? Muscle mass. Exercise habits. Hormonal signaling. Cardiovascular risk. And increasingly, the conversation around GLP-1 medications like Ozempic.

In this episode, we unpack the real drivers of midlife weight gain, the surprising data on muscle loss and mortality, the nuanced role of GLP-1 drugs in long-term health, and what actually improves lifespan and healthspan.

If you’ve wondered:

• Is my metabolism broken?

• Is Ozempic helping or hurting long term?

• Why is muscle suddenly such a big deal?

• What actually prevents heart disease and dementia?

This episode connects the dots.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever asked yourself, Why am I so tired when I’m doing everything right? — this episode is for you.

From clean eating and HIIT workouts to supplements and sleep tracking, many women are doing “all the things” and still waking up exhausted, crashing mid-afternoon, and lying awake at night unable to wind down. The missing piece may not be discipline, motivation, or another wellness hack — it may be that you’re trying to increase energy in a way that doesn’t match your body.

In this conversation, we explore a powerful framework: energy archetypes. Instead of generic advice like “just rest more” or “just push harder,” you’ll learn how your unique pattern of depletion determines what actually restores you. Drawing from Ayurveda, behavior change science, and modern physiology, we break down the three core energy archetypes and how to work with your nervous system — not against it.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

• Hadlee Garrison’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhealthyhadlee/
• Hadlee Garrison’s Website: https://www.happyhealthyhadlee.com/
• Hadlee Garrison’s energy quiz: https://hadlee.kit.com/energyquiz
• Schedule a discovery session with Hadlee: https://calendly.com/hadlee/healthgoalssession

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve noticed a shift in your desire for intimacy in midlife, you’re not alone—and it’s not simply a hormone problem. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with relationship and intimacy expert Emily Morse for a candid, clinically grounded conversation about why so many women experience changes in connection, closeness, and physical responsiveness during perimenopause.

Rather than defaulting to the oversimplified explanation that estrogen decline is to blame, this discussion explores the deeper drivers of desire: stress physiology, sleep disruption, emotional safety, relationship dynamics, and nervous system overload. For many women, perimenopause becomes the moment when long-standing issues around intimacy finally surface—not because something broke, but because the body and brain are no longer willing to override unmet needs.

In this episode, you’ll learn why desire is not a switch you flip, why fixing hormones alone often isn’t enough, and how midlife can become a powerful turning point toward more fulfilling connection—if you understand what your body is actually asking for.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

Coconu

Want body-safe, hormone-friendly intimacy products you can trust? 🥥 At Coconu, everything is made with organic, plant-based ingredients and free from hormone disruptors, harsh chemicals, and synthetic additives. From luxurious lubricants to intimate essentials, Coconu is designed to support comfort, confidence, and connection — helping you feel your best in your most personal moments.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code DRBRIGHTEN15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://coconu.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooMIqrz83hshHQKhKgBI10ExK2Q2Erh3DUCLJ-BTwC79XgO4WrL

LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Find Emily Morse

• Emily Morse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexwithemily/
• Emily Morse’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexwithemily
• Emily Morse’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sexwithemily
• Emily Morse’s Website: https://sexwithemily.com/read/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Testosterone is having a moment—but much of what women are being told about it is incomplete, oversimplified, or outright misleading. If you’ve been told testosterone is only about libido, or that your fatigue, emotional flatness, loss of motivation, or inability to build muscle is just “getting older,” this episode challenges that narrative. In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down what testosterone actually does in women’s bodies during perimenopause, why symptoms matter as much as labs, and how poorly matched hormone therapy can lead to side effects that leave women feeling worse instead of better.

This episode is a deep dive into testosterone hormone therapy in perimenopause, designed to help women—and clinicians—understand how to evaluate symptoms, interpret labs with nuance, and choose treatment approaches that respect the entire hormone system. Rather than pushing testosterone as a cure-all, this episode lays out when it helps, when it harms, and why careful dosing, delivery method, and monitoring are essential.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind — a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind

Sunlighten Saunas — Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now http://drbrighten.com/lumeboxuse code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re trying to conceive and wondering how to get pregnant faster, you’re likely being flooded with advice that ranges from tracking ovulation to “just relaxing” or jumping straight to IVF. What’s often missing from these conversations is a deeper understanding of preconception health—the biological groundwork that determines whether conception is easy, delayed, or doesn’t happen at all.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Anna Shippy to unpack why fertility challenges are rarely random and why the body often sends signals long before a pregnancy test turns positive. Together, they explore how inflammation, environmental toxins, nutrient status, gut health, and—critically—men’s health and sperm quality all shape fertility outcomes.

This conversation reframes infertility not as a failure, but as a check-engine light—a sign that the body may not yet be in an optimal state to support conception, pregnancy, or a healthy baby.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Prenatal Plus — a science-backed prenatal that is designed to support women through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Prenatal Plus is thoughtfully formulated with active B vitamins, well-absorbed nutrients like methylated folate, iron, iodine, and essential minerals to help support energy, hormone health, and healthy development. This vegan, non-GMO, and third-party tested formula is designed to support your body through every stage of motherhood.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/prenatal-plus

Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Find Ann Shippy 

• Ann Shippy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annshippymd/ 
• Ann Shippy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnShippyMD/
• Ann Shippy's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/annshippymd
• Ann Shippy’s Book: The Preconception Revolution https://amzn.to/4kfj1w9

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Low energy. Vanishing libido. Brain fog that makes you feel like you’re pushing through mud. Muscle that refuses to build no matter how hard you train. If you’ve ever been told this is “just stress,” “just aging,” or worse—all in your head—this episode is for you. In this powerful, no-fluff conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down how to boost testosterone naturally in women by unpacking the real, research-backed reasons testosterone drops—and exactly what to do about it.

This episode goes far beyond surface-level hormone talk. You’ll learn why low testosterone is far more common in women than most clinicians acknowledge, how modern life quietly sabotages androgen production, and why symptoms like low motivation, poor resilience, loss of orgasms, and difficulty setting boundaries are biochemical—not psychological. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with specific, evidence-based strategies you can start implementing today to support testosterone production, signaling, and receptor function—whether or not hormone therapy is part of your future plan.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant

LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family.

Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription)

Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For generations, women have been told that healthy aging comes down to eating less, doing more cardio, and staying “small.” But in this powerful conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon challenges that narrative with a biologically grounded truth: muscle is one of the most critical and most neglected determinants of women’s longevity.

Strength training for women isn’t about aesthetics or athleticism. It’s about preserving metabolic health, protecting the brain, maintaining independence, supporting hormone transitions, and reducing the risk of nearly every chronic disease associated with aging. In this episode, muscle is reframed not as optional fitness tissue, but as a vital organ system that determines how well women live in midlife and beyond.

If you’ve ever been told that weight gain, fatigue, insulin resistance, or physical decline are “just part of aging,” this episode explains why that belief is outdated—and what actually moves the needle.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Where to Find Dr. Gabrielle Lyon 

• Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
• Order FOREVER STRONG: https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong/
• Order THE FOREVER STRONG PLAYBOOK: https://drgabriellelyon.com/playbook/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever wondered why your ADHD feels manageable one week and completely unhinged the next—why your medication suddenly feels useless, your focus evaporates, your emotions feel impossible to regulate, and even simple tasks like making dinner feel overwhelming—this episode was made for you.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down what a major scientific review confirms: ADHD symptoms in women do not remain stable across the menstrual cycle. Instead, attention, executive function, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and even medication response shift predictably in response to cyclical hormone changes. And for women with ADHD—especially those with PMS or PMDD—these shifts are often dramatic, disabling, and consistently dismissed.

Drawing from nearly a decade of research, this episode explains exactly how your periods affect your ADHD, why progesterone can feel like your brain’s kryptonite, and what women and clinicians need to understand to finally stop gaslighting ADHD symptoms in women.

If your ADHD feels unpredictable from week to week, this episode will finally explain why. Visit the episode webpage to see all links and sources mentioned in this podcast https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-the-menstrual-cycle/

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family.

Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription)

Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When your ADHD sex drive doesn’t match what you “think it should,” it’s easy to assume something is wrong with you—or that you’ve fallen out of love. But in this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Leann Borneman to unpack a radically different truth: for many women with ADHD (and many women in perimenopause), the problem often isn’t a lack of desire—it’s a lack of access to desire. If you’ve ever wanted intimacy… but your brain felt overloaded, your body felt “nope,” or you couldn’t even figure out how to start, this conversation will feel like someone finally turned the lights on.

In this episode, you’ll learn why spontaneous desire is largely a myth, how executive function can quietly “gatekeep” intimacy, why common advice like “schedule sex” can backfire hard for neurodivergent women, and what to do instead. You’ll also hear why lube can be a relationship-saving tool (not a failure), how sensory issues can shut down arousal without you realizing it, what ADHD medication can change (in both directions), and why certain structured intimacy frameworks—including ethical kink and BDSM—can be uniquely supportive for ADHD brains because they combine novelty + safety.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

Coconu

Want body-safe, hormone-friendly intimacy products you can trust? 🥥 At Coconu, everything is made with organic, plant-based ingredients and free from hormone disruptors, harsh chemicals, and synthetic additives. From luxurious lubricants to intimate essentials, Coconu is designed to support comfort, confidence, and connection — helping you feel your best in your most personal moments.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code DRBRIGHTEN15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://coconu.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooMIqrz83hshHQKhKgBI10ExK2Q2Erh3DUCLJ-BTwC79XgO4WrL

Connect with Leann

• Leann Bourneman’s Tik Tok: @bournemanpsycotherapy
• Leann Bourneman;s Instagram: @bournemanpsycotherapy
• Leann Bourneman’s Website: bournemancoaching.com

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you feel like your ADHD symptoms exploded in your late 30s or early 40s—your focus vanished, your sleep fell apart, your body started hurting, and your brain felt like it stopped working—you are not imagining it. And you are not failing.

This episode explains why perimenopause is worse for women with ADHD, why it often begins years earlier than most doctors recognize, and why ADHD women experience a more severe, full-body symptom burden during this transition. Far from being “just stress” or “just anxiety,” the experience of ADHD and perimenopause is a neuroendocrine brain-body collision that modern medicine is largely unprepared to address.

Grounded in a large population-based study and real clinical patterns, this episode reframes perimenopause as a critical neurological and hormonal transition, especially for women with ADHD, and explains why so many women feel blindsided, dismissed, and misdiagnosed during this stage of life.

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

 OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, dietary fiber has been framed as one thing: something you need “to stay regular.” But in this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with registered dietitian Gabrielle Palmeri to unpack why that narrative is dangerously incomplete—especially for women.

This conversation reframes fiber as a metabolic, hormonal, and immune regulator, not a digestive afterthought. The episode explores why most people feel worse when they first increase fiber, how diet culture has distorted the conversation, and why avoiding fiber long-term can quietly sabotage gut health, estrogen metabolism, blood sugar, and inflammation.

If you’ve ever wondered what is a high fiber diet, whether fiber is really necessary, or why “healthy eating” sometimes makes you feel worse, this episode provides the missing context.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Women’s Probiotic https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic?selling_plan=995917858 is formulated to support healthy digestion, vaginal microbiome balance, and everyday immune function—simple, daily care for women.A balanced microbiome is foundational for feeling your best—from digestion to confidence. Quality you can trust: third-party tested; manufactured in a cGMP facility

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% offf your order

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family.

Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription)

Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv

Connect with Gabrielle

• Website (with Fiber Guide & Private Community): https://stan.store/dietitiangabrielle
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.gabrielle/?hl=en
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dietitian.gabrielle?lang=en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89lIEaRwW9dL8BftTzK2Tg
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dietitian.gabrielle

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re experiencing weight gain that feels sudden, unexplained, and resistant to everything that used to work—especially after age 35—you are not alone. For many women, weight gain in perimenopause begins years before menopause is ever mentioned in a doctor’s office. Alongside changes in weight, sleep often deteriorates, anxiety increases, cravings feel harder to control, and energy becomes unpredictable.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the real hormonal mechanisms behind weight gain in perimenopause over 35—and why this phase of life requires an entirely different approach than “eat less and move more.” This conversation focuses on the biological changes happening beneath the surface, how hormones like progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones interact, and what women can do to support their metabolism, sleep, and overall health during this transition.

This is not about willpower. It’s about physiology.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind — a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind

Sunlighten Saunas — Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weight loss has always been a loaded topic, but in the era of Ozempic, it has become even more polarized. For some, GLP-1 medications feel like a long-overdue breakthrough. For others, they trigger fear, shame, or moral judgment. And for many women, they come with unexpected side effects, confusing outcomes, and the unsettling realization that losing weight doesn’t always mean feeling better.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with registered dietitian and nutrition expert Ashley Koff for a nuanced, science-forward conversation about weight loss and Ozempic—one that goes far beyond the scale. Together, they explore why weight loss alone is a flawed goal, what GLP-1 medications actually reveal about human physiology, and why women are being disproportionately affected by oversimplified approaches to metabolic health.

If you’ve ever wondered why weight loss feels harder than it “should,” why Ozempic works for some people but not others, or why your labs can look normal while your body feels anything but—this episode offers clarity.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hormone replacement therapy for menopause has been one of the most misunderstood and fear-driven topics in women’s health. For years, women were warned away from hormone therapy based on a black box warning that failed to reflect how hormones are prescribed today, who benefits most, and when therapy is most effective. The recent decision by the FDA to remove the black box warning from certain menopausal hormone therapies has reignited questions, confusion, and concern. This episode of The Dr. Brighten Show—Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause: What the FDA’s Black Box Removal Really Means for Women—explains what hormone replacement therapy for menopause actually is, why the warning existed in the first place, what changed, what didn’t, and how women can make evidence-based decisions grounded in modern science rather than outdated fear.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is estrogen cream for the face really the new holy grail of anti-aging—or is it another skincare trend overselling its promise? In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the biology behind estrogen and skin aging, why women’s skin often changes rapidly after 35, and what clinical studies actually show about using topical estrogen on the face. This isn’t about chasing youth—it’s about understanding collagen loss, inflammation, and how hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause directly affect the skin.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

In this episode, you’ll learn how estrogen interacts with the skin at a cellular level, why traditional skincare often stops working in midlife, and how clinicians are using estrogen cream for the face—specifically estriol and estradiol—in a thoughtful, medically supervised way. Dr. Brighten explains who may benefit, how these creams are typically used, what results are realistic, and which healthcare providers are qualified to prescribe them, all through a women’s-health-first, evidence-based lens.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠⁠ https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endometriosis shouldn’t require fame, influence, or extraordinary persistence to be taken seriously—yet that’s exactly what Lili Reinhart’s viral post reveals. In her deeply vulnerable message, she shared years of worsening symptoms, medical dismissal, and confusion that ultimately led her to discover she had both endometriosis and adenomyosis. Her experience mirrors the journey of millions of people who have been repeatedly told their pain is normal, exaggerated, or unrelated to their reproductive health.

In this powerful episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten reacts to Lili’s post and uses it as a launch point to expose the endometriosis diagnosis myth, highlight the systemic failures that keep patients undiagnosed for years, and provide a clear, practical path for listeners who suspect endo but haven’t been taken seriously. Drawing from her own 29-year delay to diagnosis, her clinical expertise, and the lived experiences of her community, Dr. Brighten breaks down the biggest misconceptions, the biases baked into diagnostic processes, and the tools that actually help patients get answers.

You’ll learn why “normal” imaging is often meaningless, how endometriosis can hide from inexperienced radiologists, and why patients who tell doctors they want to conceive get diagnosed faster—even when their symptoms are the same. You’ll also learn how pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder symptoms, digestive issues, fatigue, and systemic inflammation all intersect with endometriosis and what this means for your care.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website:⁠ https://www.drbrighten.com⁠

📸  Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠

YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever felt like stress runs the show, your cortisol is permanently stuck on “high,” or mindfulness sounds great in theory but completely unrealistic in real life… this episode is about to change everything. Bestselling author and mindfulness teacher Rosie Acosta joins Dr. Jolene Brighten to reveal how you can lower cortisol, calm your nervous system, and shift out of survival mode in as little as 90 seconds — even if you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, or navigating perimenopause.

From the science of vagus nerve breathing to the emotional reactivity of modern life, Rosie and Dr. Brighten break down how tiny, realistic mindfulness practices can literally reshape your brain, support hormone balance, and anchor you back into the person you want to be.

This is one of those episodes that makes you pause, breathe differently, and rethink what it means to feel grounded.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

💫 Follow Rosie Acosta:

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosieacosta/

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radicallylovedrosie/

⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rosieacosta

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Loneliness isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s a biological event that behaves like a hidden hormone disorder. In this episode, Shawn Stevenson joins Dr. Brighten to expose how the effects of social isolation ripple across your cortisol levels, immune system, emotional stability, and even your genes. You’ll hear how technology, toxic relationships, fractured community networks, and modern family dynamics are driving a quiet but powerful shift in women’s health and longevity.

What follows is one of the most illuminating, compassionate, and actionable conversations you’ll ever hear about connection, stress, and the biology of belonging.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

🔥 Follow Shawn Stevenson:

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnmodel/

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheModelHealthShow

⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtFV6nJ5zZ0__SXBkikfLlg

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been waking up exhausted, crashing in the afternoon, gaining weight around your belly, or feeling overwhelmed by even the smallest things, this episode is going to be a turning point for you. So many women—especially women over 35 and women moving through perimenopause—are unknowingly dealing with chronic cortisol dysregulation, even when they’re eating well, exercising, and doing “everything right.”

In today’s conversation, I walk you through how to reduce stress hormones naturally, using a simple and effective four-step plan you can begin today. You’ll also learn why the holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year for women’s hormones, and how to make small changes that allow you to enjoy the season without crashing in January.

This episode blends science with practicality, and gives you the tools, data, and strategies you need to support cortisol in a way that’s sustainable, accessible, and incredibly effective.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Optimal Adrenal Kit — a science-backed system created to support women’s stress response, energy, and hormonal balance through every stage of life.

If you’ve ever felt the exhaustion of chronic stress, the wired-and-tired cycles of adrenal imbalance, or the way burnout can amplify challenges with mood, focus, or sleep, you’re not alone. The Optimal Adrenal Kit brings together clinically informed adaptogens, targeted B-vitamins, and foundational adrenal nutrients to help nourish your stress pathways and support steady energy, emotional resilience, and whole-body vitality.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/optimal-adrenal-kit?_pos=1&_psq=adrenal+kit&_ss=e&_v=1.0&selling_plan=995590178

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠

📸  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠

YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've noticed more hair in your brush, shedding in the shower, or a widening part line, you're in the right place. This episode breaks down the real reasons women lose hair and exactly what you can do about it. Because I promised in the episode that everything would be clearly divided into categories in the show notes, this page includes a step-by-step, science-backed protocol, organized by mechanism so you can easily follow and implement the plan.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful and deeply validating conversation, we unpack what pain is actually telling you, how doctors should evaluate it, why so many women are misdiagnosed, and the anatomical truths every woman deserves to know about her pelvic health. If you've ever wondered why sex is painful and what to do next, this is the most comprehensive and actionable explanation you’ve ever heard—all based entirely on the insights from the episode transcript.

For full episode notes see: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/pain-during-sex/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as something caused by a fall, car accident, or physical impact. But new research is redefining TBI entirely — and it has major implications for women. Emotional trauma, chronic stress, and prolonged cortisol elevation can create measurable changes in the brain that mimic the neurological patterns traditionally seen after concussions.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Peatross to explore the emerging science of stress-induced brain injury, why women are uniquely affected, and how emotional trauma disrupts everything from neurotransmitter production to gut permeability to hormone balance. We also discuss Jessica’s personal experience: a cascade of traumatic events, B-vitamin deficiencies, functional freeze, personality changes, and escalating neurological symptoms that eventually led to the discovery of a right-sided brain injury.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

⭐ Follow Dr. Jessica Peatross:

💻  Website: https://drjessmd.com/

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

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Women make up two out of three cases of Alzheimer’s disease, yet most are never told why—or what they can do to protect themselves long before symptoms appear. In this powerful conversation, Max Lugavere breaks down the misunderstood early drivers of cognitive decline, the role of metabolic health, how environmental toxins contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, and the research showing that the foods you eat every day can shift your brain’s trajectory decades before a diagnosis. If you’ve ever wondered why brain-related conditions disproportionately affect women, or whether prevention is actually possible, this episode is a must-listen.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

🔥 Follow Max Lugavere:

💻 Website: https://www.instagram.com/maxlugavere/?hl=en

📸  Instagram: https://www.maxlugavere.com/

⭕ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maxlugavere

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

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🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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PCOS symptoms often intensify after 30 due to compounding insulin resistance, adrenal stress patterns, and brain–ovary signaling changes. As estrogen and progesterone begin subtle shifts in the mid-30s, many women experience more anovulatory cycles, higher cortisol responses, and worsening androgen symptoms.

This episode takes a whole-system view of PCOS across the lifespan and reframes the condition not as a failure—but as a genetically programmed survival adaptation interacting with a modern environment that our biology wasn’t built for.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

🌟 Follow Fiona McCulloch :

💻 Website: https://drfionand.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfionand/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

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🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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If you’ve ever wondered why your “IBS,” nausea, bowel pain, or gut flare-ups always seem to sync with your cycle, this conversation will feel like someone finally turned the lights on. In this episode, chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis specialist Dr. Jill Ingenito breaks down the deeply misunderstood connection between gut symptoms and endometriosis—why so many women are misdiagnosed, how prostaglandins wreak havoc on digestion, and what conventional gynecology is still getting wrong. If you’ve been dismissed, gaslit, or told “everything looks normal,” this episode is your roadmap to real answers.

Overview of What You’ll Learn

Using real patient stories, surgical insights, and the latest understanding of endometriosis biology, we unpack why gut symptoms are often the earliest sign of endo, how imaging fails women, and why the right kind of specialist matters. You’ll leave with an informed, empowered approach to your symptoms—plus clarity on what’s normal, what’s not, and what to do next.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

💫 Follow Dr. Jill Ingenito:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpelvicpaindo/

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086744101466&ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.com/@drpelvicpaindo

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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What if nearly everything you were taught about your menstrual cycle—and when you can actually get pregnant—was wrong? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with fertility awareness educator Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to expose myths that have shaped women’s health for generations. From the six-day fertile window to the real science behind ovulation, this conversation dismantles decades of misinformation about birth control, fertility, and how the medical system continues to fail women. You’ll never think about your cycle—or your doctor’s advice—the same way again.

For full show notes and transcript see: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/fertility-awareness-method/

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Have you ever felt like your body is running on the wrong schedule—wide awake at night, exhausted mid-morning, and wired by 10 p.m.? You’re not lazy or broken; you may just be living out of sync with your biology. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with sleep and hormone specialist Dr. Elisa Sacal to decode the science of chronotypes and hormones—how your genetics, gut health, and hormonal rhythms determine the best times to sleep, eat, and think clearly.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

Follow Dr. Elisa Sacal:

💻 Website: https://draelisasacal.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dra.elisasacal/

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dra.elisasacal/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

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Feeling foggy, forgetful, or like your brain has lost its edge? You’re not imagining it. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains what your TSH lab test really tells you and what it doesn’t. Most doctors stop testing after TSH, but this brain-to-thyroid signal is only one piece of your hormonal story.

You’ll learn how thyroid hormones influence energy, metabolism, mood, and focus, why women are far more likely to struggle with thyroid disorders, and which labs and nutrients can help you finally clear the brain fog for good.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Thyroid Support https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/thyroid-support — featuring selenium, zinc, coleus forskohlii, and tyrosine to support healthy thyroid hormone production and conversion.

Also mentioned:

• Women’s Twice Daily https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-twice-daily multivitamin (for vitamin A, B2, and manganese)
• Vitamin D https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/vitamin-d3-k2 & Omega Plus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus for immune and thyroid balance
• Beyond the Pill https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/beyond-the-pill and Is This Normal? https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/is-this-normal by Dr. Jolene Brighten

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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If your focus, mood, and memory seem to fluctuate with your menstrual cycle, or your brain fog worsened during perimenopause, you’re not imagining things. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with ADHD therapist and educator Andrew Robinson, MSW, to uncover how hormones directly influence ADHD symptoms — and why so many women are still being overlooked, dismissed, or misdiagnosed.

You’ll learn how ADHD can cut 8 years off life expectancy when untreated, why stimulant medications save lives, and how tracking hormonal shifts can reveal patterns that help you manage your brain instead of fighting it.

Dr. Brighten and Andrew share the science, the stories, and the strategies women need to finally understand their brains — not blame them.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Follow Andrew Robinson:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myadhdcounselor/?hl=en

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myadhdcounselor

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.com/@myadhdcounselor?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

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When your body starts changing in your late 30s and 40s, fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog are often blamed on “just perimenopause.” But the truth? Your thyroid is probably struggling too. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Dr. Christine Maren expose why thyroid issues surge during perimenopause, how gut health plays a surprising role, and what real hormone balance looks like when you stop being dismissed by conventional medicine.

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com⁠

💫 Follow Dr. Christine Maren:

💻 Website: https://drchristinemaren.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristinemaren/?hl=en

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrChristineMaren/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com⁠

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Are you tired of hearing that the teenage years are guaranteed to be a struggle? What if the traditional advice about raising teens is actually making things harder? In this revealing episode, pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart uncovers why 79% of Gen Z parents are stepping in to solve their kids’ problems—and what this trend exposes about modern parenting.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your teen or unsure how to support their mental health, this conversation will reshape how you understand and navigate adolescence.

You’ll learn practical, science-based strategies to help your teen build confidence, resilience, and emotional independence—while strengthening your relationship so they’ll actually open up about the tough stuff, from anxiety and depression to academic pressure and identity challenges.

💫 Follow Ann-Louise Lockhart:

💻 Website: https://www.anewdaysa.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.annlouise.lockhart

🧵Threads:  https://www.threads.net/@dr.annlouise.lockhart

👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.annlouise.lockhart/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:  

YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can we still trust modern medicine? In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten speaks with integrative pediatrician Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh about how the pharmaceutical industry influences medicine, research, and public health. Together, they expose where the system puts profit over people—and share how transparency, prevention, and empowerment can help rebuild real trust in healthcare.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials 🧠  Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied Affron® saffron, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• JAMA Network Open: Trends in Public Trust in the U.S. Health Care System, 2020–2024 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821693
• World Health Organization: Vitamin A Supplementation in Measles Treatment https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vitamin-a-supplementation-in-measles
• The Flexner Report (1910) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3178858/
• Consumer Reports: Heavy Metals in Infant Formula https://www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/baby-formula/baby-formula-contaminants-test-results-a7140095293/
• NIH Review: Effects of Food Dyes on Children’s Behavior https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9052604/
• Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli at Pfizer Settlement Press Conference https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/speech/associate-attorney-general-tom-perrelli-pfizer-settlement-press-conference?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🩺 Follow Dr. Joel Gator Warsh:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjoelgator/?hl=en

🏥 Clinic: https://integrativepediatricsandmedicine.com/about/

📖 Book: https://amzn.to/4opx82D

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

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Ever wondered why your sex life changes over time — or why what once worked no longer lights you up? In this powerful episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, a tenured professor of sexual communication at California State University, Fullerton, joins Dr. Jolene Brighten to share the science of sexual personality and the psychology of pleasure, communication, and confidence.

Together, they explore what it really takes to improve your sex life, deepen intimacy, and understand your partner on a whole new level — using data-driven insights and decades of research in sexual mindfulness, relational communication, and women’s sexual well-being.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health.

Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

❤️‍🔥 Follow Dr. Tara:

💻 Website: https://www.luvbites.co/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luvbites.co/?hl=en

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luvbites.co

⭕ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbW6PCKjgcxkq3dTvjjeyQ

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

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🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

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Human connection isn’t optional—it’s a biological survival mechanism. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein exposes the shocking truth about the loneliness epidemic—how chronic isolation alters your brain, weakens your immune system, and increases your risk of death. Together, we explore the neuroscience of empathy, the hormonal roots of connection, and why the modern world is quietly reshaping our ability to feel for one another.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Follow Dr. Ben Rein:

💻 Website: https://www.benrein.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.benrein/?hl=en

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.benrein

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

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🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Feeling like your energy has been hijacked lately? You’re not imagining it — perimenopause exhaustion is real, and it’s not just about getting older or not sleeping enough. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten, board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and author of Is This Normal?, sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder, bestselling author of The Perimenopause Solution, to uncover why so many women in their 30s and 40s suddenly feel depleted, foggy, and unlike themselves.

Together, they reveal how shifting hormones, chronic stress, and brain rewiring collide in midlife and what you can do to rebuild your energy, resilience, and joy.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

OneSkin 

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

Follow Mariza Snyder:

• Dr. Mariza Snyder’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/?hl=en
• Dr. Mariza Snyder’s Website: https://drmariza.com/
• Dr. Mariza Snyder’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmarizasnyder/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠

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🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Have you ever forgotten mid-sentence what you were saying, or walked into a room only to wonder why you went there in the first place? You’re not alone and it’s not “just aging.” In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains how hormonal shifts, poor sleep, and chronic stress can steal mental clarity and shares practical, evidence-based strategies to reverse it.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at https://drbrighten.com/radiant/.

Shop now: http://drbrighten.com/radiant

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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What if your doctor told you endometriosis was just “bad periods” — and the only solution was surgery or the pill? In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, functional nutritionist and former engineer Khush Sra shares how she went from five surgeries and two decades of endometriosis pain to living pain-free for 20 years. Her transformation came not from another prescription, but from a whole-body, anti-inflammatory endometriosis diet, nervous system repair, and gut-healing nutrition.

You’ll discover why this condition isn’t just hormonal — it’s a full-body immune imbalance — and how a few simple, science-backed lifestyle changes can help you reclaim energy, reduce inflammation, and restore balance.

View the full show notes, studies, and resources at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/endometriosis-diet/

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Shop now http://drbrighten.com/radiant

Follow Khush Sra:

💻 Website: https://khushsra.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endonutrition/?hl=en

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Hot flashes can feel overwhelming—leaving you drenched in sweat at 2 AM, exhausted during the day, and wondering if relief is even possible. The good news? There are natural remedies for hot flashes that go beyond quick fixes and are backed by science. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we uncover simple, effective strategies that not only ease hot flashes but also support clearer thinking, steadier moods, and deeper sleep during perimenopause and menopause.

You’ll leave this conversation with practical solutions, supplement strategies, and mind-body tools you can start exploring right away.

View the full show notes, studies, and resources at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/natural-remedies-for-hot-flashes/.

This Episode is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Shop now

🎧For the entire show notes + links mentioned in the episode, please visit: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/natural-remedies-for-hot-flashes/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Struggling with mood swings, anxiety, or depression before your period and wondering if it’s more than just “PMS”? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Hill, trailblazing researcher and author of This Is Your Brain on Birth Control and The Period Brain, to uncover the hidden symptoms of PMDD and PMS that most doctors miss. We dive deep into how hormones shape your brain, why birth control may not be the fix you think it is, and the groundbreaking science behind progesterone, progestins, and your mental health.

This conversation reveals the truth about hormone sensitivity, trauma, neurodivergence, and perimenopause, offering insights that could transform the way you understand your body and your brain.

View the full show notes and resources mentioned in this episode at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/pmdd-symptoms/

If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life http://drbrighten.com/radiant

Sunlighten Saunas - at Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

Follow Dr. Sarah Hill:

💻 Website: https://www.sarahehill.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahehillphd/?hl=en

Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge.

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ADHD in women is often misunderstood and autism in women is even more invisible. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Samantha Hiew, award-winning speaker, researcher, and author of Tip of the ADHD Iceberg. Together, we break down the myths, the biology, and the lived experience that medicine has ignored for too long.

In this episode, you’ll discover why so many women are dismissed in assessments, how hormones play a role in ADHD and autism, and what you can do if medication isn’t working for you.

View the full show notes, links, and resources at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/female-adhd/.

This Episode is Brought to you By: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant.

Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Kick the “eat less, move more” myth to the curb. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with strength coach Tara LaFerrara to explain why resistance training is the queen for perimenopausal and menopausal women who want real results—better body recomposition, stronger bones, steadier energy, and less belly fat—without living on a treadmill or wrecking their hormones.

You’ll learn how to train smarter (not harder), what to change in your 30s, 40s, 50s+, and how sleep, stress, and mobility quietly make or break your progress. We dig into walking, Pilates vs. strength, why the scale lies, and the mindset shift from motivation to disciplined routines that carry you through messy days.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life http://drbrighten.com/radiant

Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com

Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence.

Shop now → https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/3105

LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Tara LaFerrara – Broads App & Coaching (strength, mobility, programming for women) https://www.broads.app/midlife-broad-program
• Perimenopause Weight Loss Action Plan - Free Guide https://drbrighten.com/plan/ 
• Article: How to Lose Weight in Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/how-to-lose-weight-during-perimenopause/ 
• Mental Load & Relationships with Dr. Vanessa Marin — Learn how the hidden mental load impacts intimacy, stress, and even your ability to prioritize self-care https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/92-vanessa-and-xander-marin-your-sex-drive-isnt/id1710024779?i=1000712224524 
• Perimenopause? How to Lose Weight (without starving yourself) https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/ 
• ADHD, Executive Function & Perimenopause with Dr. Jolene Brighten — Why ADHD symptoms often intensify in perimenopause and practical strategies to support brain health, focus, and daily routines https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menopause-and-adhd/ 

Follow Tara LaFerrara:

💻 Website: https://www.taralaferrara.com/

📸 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/taralaferrara/

🎥  TikTok :https://www.tiktok.com/@taralaferrara?lang=en

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 

If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interested in trying OneSkin for yourself Visit http://oneskin.co/BRIGHTEN and use code BRIGHTEN for 15% off your first purchase.

Discover the best skincare products for aging skin and the science behind peptides that target “zombie cells” to support hair growth and skin longevity. View full show notes and all links at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/oneskin/.

Chapters — Key Moments

00:00 — Episode Trailer (Skin Aging Control)

01:24 — Show Welcome

02:12 — Topical Retinol & Inflammation

07:49 — How to Cycle Retinol Safely

10:48 — Zombie (Senescent) Cells Explained

14:28 — What Are Peptides?

16:55 — Not All Peptides Are Equal—OS01

17:19 — OS-01: Validated Results

22:09 — OneSkin Benefits Over Time

23:56 — OneSkin Review of Outcomes

25:37 — Menopause-Focused SkinCare

27:23 — How to Preserve Collagen 

29:28 — Lowering Systemic Inflammation (Cytokines)

32:09 — Skin Fragility With Age

37:16 — Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Aging

39:54 — Blue Light Damages Skin

40:58 — Best Antioxidants for Skin Health

43:45 — Smart Sun Exposure Guidelines

47:50 — Can You Reverse Sun Damage?

50:03 — Best Skincare Routine for Over 50

54:13 — Eye Cream Clinical Trial Results

55:58 — Best Skincare in Your 20s

57:13 — Pregnancy & Melasma Treatment 

59:53 — Hidden Causes of Skin Aging

01:06:55 — Stress and Hair Loss

01:10:35 — How to Improve Hair Density & Thickness

01:15:18 — How to Regrow Hair

01:18:25 — Scalp Microbiome Health

01:23:51 — Biggest Skin-Aging Misconception

01:27:16 — Episode Outro

Dr. Brighten’s OneSkin Review

I always want to know if a product actually delivers on its promises before recommending it to my community. I tried OneSkin’s OS-01 peptide moisturizer and eye cream myself, and I was impressed. As someone with sensitive skin, I’m cautious with new products, but I noticed the eye cream made a real difference during a hectic back-to-school week when my sleep was lacking. My skin looked more hydrated and less tired than I felt.

What stood out most to me is that OneSkin’s peptide technology isn’t just about appearance—it’s about skin health and resilience. That’s what makes it different from many other products I’ve tested over the years.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever struggled with bloating, brain fog, or unexplained fatigue, you’ve probably wondered: Is it IBS, SIBO, or something else? In this episode of the Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with gut health powerhouse Dr. Carolina Gonzalez to uncover the truth about digestive disorders that are often misdiagnosed. They cut through the noise around parasite cleanses, leaky gut, and probiotics for SIBO—so you’ll know what really works, what doesn’t, and how to take the first steps toward true healing.

You’ll also learn why up to 70% of people told they have IBS actually have SIBO, how stress and sleep impact your microbiome, and what every woman should know about gut health, hormones, and long-term well-being.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Chorus: use this link http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

OneSkin: https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Dr. Brighten Essentials Women’s Probiotic https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic 
• Dr. Brighten Essentials Adrenal Calm https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/adrenal-calm 
• Carolina Gonzalez’s website https://www.ctnaturalhealth.com/
• Carolina Gonzalez’’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodgutdoc/
• Carolina Gonzalez’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodgutdoc
• Podcast: Gut Health Probiotics https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/
• Article: SIBO Part I https://drbrighten.com/sibo-symptoms-what-is-it-how-do-i-know-if-i-have-it/
• Article: SIBO Part II: https://drbrighten.com/sibo-treatment-natural-diet/
• Article: The Surprising Cause of IBS https://drbrighten.com/the-surprising-cause-of-ibs/
• Article: Histamine Intolerance https://drbrighten.com/histamine-intolerance/
• Podcast: Natural Treatments for Eczema | Jen Fugo https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/natural-treatments-for-eczema/
• Podcast: Cortisol Face, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Insulin Resistance | Alaia Baldwin https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/cortisol-face/
• Podcast: Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism. Dr. Izabella Wentz https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/hashimotos-hypothyroidism/
• Podcast: Top Foods That Delay Menopause | Dr. Kara Fitzgerald https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/how-to-delay-menopause/
• Clean 15 & Dirty Dozen produce guide (EWG) https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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Menopause brain fog is the short-term difficulty with focus, word-finding, and memory that can show up in perimenopause and early postmenopause. It’s driven by estradiol fluctuations, declining progesterone/allopregnanolone (ALLO), and sleep fragmentation from hot flashes. The good news? It’s usually reversible with symptom treatment and daily habit shifts. Listen to this episode for the full brain-chemistry tour and a practical plan to feel clearer, calmer, and more you.

Chapters

00:00:00 Menopause Brain Fog: Who This Episode Helps

00:03:00 Perimenopause Timeline: 7–10 Years

00:06:00 Hormones that affect sleep

00:07:00 Women’s Testosterone: Drive, Initiation, Libido

00:09:00 HRT “Critical Window” + Insulin Resistance

00:11:00 Menopause Brain Fog Explained: “Software Update” Model

00:13:00 Endocrine Age vs Chronological Age: Why It Matters

00:14:00 My Story: Mood Crash & Lost Mental Edge

00:19:00 Menopause Brain Fog vs ADHD: Executive Function Clues

00:26:00 Hormone Stage Drives Brain

00:28:00 Estrogen, Dopamine, GABA: Memory & Focus Pathways

00:33:00 Signs to Look Out For

00:39:00 Hot Flashes Fragment Deep & REM Sleep (Here’s Why)

00:46:00 Will Brain Fog Go Away? SWAN Data & Adaptation

00:48:00 Medical Conditions That Cause Brain Fog

00:50:00 Focus Tools

00:55:00 Sleep Protocol: Fix Wake Time, Morning Light, Cool Room

00:57:00 Exercise & Brain Health

00:58:00 Saffron (Affron®): Mood, Sleep, Libido Support

01:01:00 Citicoline (Cognizin®): Attention & Mental Energy

01:04:00 Bacopa (Bacognize®): Memory & Calm Focus

01:08:00 Magnesium & Brain Health: Sleep, Migraines, Aging

01:18:00 Nervous System Downshift

01:22:00 CBT-I/ACT for Midlife Brain Fog & Rumination

01:23:00 Surgical Menopause & Dementia Risk

01:31:00 Key Takeaways 

🎧For the entire show notes + links mentioned in the episode, please visit: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menopause-brain-fog/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

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🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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Natural treatments eczema, eczema moisturisers, and dyshidrotic dermatitis—what actually helps and what quietly makes skin worse. View the full show notes and all links mentioned at https://drbrighten.com.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials

Use the Code: POD15 to save 15% on your order https://drbrightenessentials.com/

Chorus

Exclusive for podcast listeners: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

OneSkin

Shop now → https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Jennifer Fugo’s Healthy Skin Show Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthy-skin-show/id1449210022
• Quell Shop: Skincare and supplements for chronic skin conditions  https://www.quellshop.com

Episodes Mentioned

• Is It Really Histamine Intolerance? with Jen Fugo — on histamine, skin rashes, and hidden gut triggers https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/is-it-really-histamine-intolerance/
• Struggling with Sleep & Anxiety? Dr. Carrie Jones https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/
• The Best Skincare for Aging Skin| Dr. Sara Cherem https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/best-skincare-for-aging-skin/
• The Best Skincare Products for Aging Skin| Dr. Tony Youn https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/best-skincare-products-for-aging-skin/
• What Every Woman Needs to Know to Balance Hormones  https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/

Articles:

• What is Histamine Intolerance https://drbrighten.com/histamine-intolerance/
• 12 Natural Treatments for Hyperthyroidism https://drbrighten.com/natural-treatments-hyperthyroidism/
• The Thyroid Gut Connection https://drbrighten.com/thyroid-gut-connection/
• Topical Estrogen Face Cream https://drbrighten.com/estrogen-face-cream/

Studies & Research Mentions

• Reviewing the Evidence Base for Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome in the Research Literature and Social Media Platforms: An Evidence Gap Map: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11662184
• Topical Steroid Withdrawal (Red Skin Syndrome): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603718/ 
• Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Atopic Dermatitis: Patient-reported Characterization from a Swedish Social Media Questionnaire: https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actadv/article/view/40187 
• Psoriasis https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0804595 
• Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-23: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms of Action in Psoriasis and Associated Comorbidities https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8019008
• Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-17 Shows a Significant Association with Helicobacter pylori Infection and Disease Severity https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5748147
• Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Incidence of Gastric Cancer Between 1980 and 2022 https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085%2823%2905687-1/fulltext
• Global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection between 1980 and 2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253%2823%2900070-5/abstract
• Revisiting the Roles of Filaggrin in Atopic Dermatitis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9140947
• Filaggrin gene mutations with special reference to atopic dermatitis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7880084

Follow Jen Fugo:

💻 Website: https://www.jenniferfugo.com

📸 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jenniferfugo

💻 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jenfugo

🎥 TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferfugo

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

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🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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If you’ve ever found yourself saying “yes” when you desperately wanted to say “no,” you’re not alone—especially if you’re a woman living with ADHD. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with ADHD coach and author Meredith Carder to uncover why chronic people pleasing in ADHD women is so common, how it connects to masking, guilt, and burnout, and most importantly—how you can break free. You’ll hear practical tools, fresh perspectives, and science-backed insights that will make you feel seen, supported, and empowered.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Support our sponsor and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Meredith Carder – [Author & ADHD Coach] https://www.instagram.com/hummingbird_adhd/ 
• Meredith’s community, The Hummingbird Hive https://meredith-rose-carder.mykajabi.com/group-membership 
• Meredith’s book It All Makes Sense Now https://amzn.to/45XHvTN 
• Research referenced: study on higher mortality risk in ADHD women
• Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart’s episode on parenting and emotional regulation (for further listening) https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/raising-kids-with-big-feelings/  
• Diet for ADHD: How Nutrition Shapes Focus, Mood, and Brain Health | Timothy Frie https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/diet-for-adhd/  
• Mouth Breathing, ADHD & the Cavity Conspiracy: What Your Dentist Isn’t Telling You | Dr. Staci Whitman https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/mouth-breathing-in-children/  
• ADHD Types and Hormones: The Unexpected Link You Need to Know | Ludovico Saint amour di Chanaz https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-types-and-hormones/  
• ADHD, Sleep & Hormones: Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off at Night https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/  
• ADHD Burnout? Your Hormones Might Be Sabotaging You https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-burnout/  
• How Hormones and Menopause Affect ADHD: What No One’s Telling You https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menopause-and-adhd/  
• ADHD Endometriosis Connection: What You Should Know If You’re Diagnosed with ADHD https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-endometriosis-connection/  
• Article: Exploring Natural Solutions for Adult ADHD — How To Find Relief https://drbrighten.com/natural-remedies-adhd/ 

Follow Meredith Carder:

Website https://meredithcarder.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hummingbird_adhd/

Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten and quadruple–board-certified allergist & immunologist Dr. Kara Wada unpack why sjogren's disease is widely under-recognized, how “perfectionist” health habits can backfire into autoimmune flares, and exactly how to think about sjogren's treatment, testing, microbiome/barrier health, dysautonomia, POTS, MCAS, and smarter allergy therapies.

A sjogren’s test typically includes autoantibodies (SSA/SSB), but these are only ~60–70% positive, so diagnosis relies on the full picture: history, eye/dental findings, sometimes biopsy. Importantly, Sjögren’s carries a 5–10% lifetime risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, so persistent lymph nodes deserve prompt evaluation. Because labs can be “normal” while life isn’t, bring concrete examples of how symptoms limit your day, and ask for a plan that fits your stage of life (puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause).

This episode is brought to you by: 

LUMEBOX

LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com

Chorus

At Chorus, our Organic Gut Harmony formula is rooted in a 700-year-old botanical blend and updated with modern science to help your body thrive. From easing bloating and improving digestion to boosting energy and clarity.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use this link http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sjögren’s Foundation (patient education & resources): https://www.sjogrens.org
• Gut Hormone Connection Episode: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/
• Therapies discussed: Allergy shots; Sublingual immunotherapy (tablets/drops) and Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT)
• Medications referenced (discuss with your clinician): Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); H1 antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine); H2 blocker (famotidine); caution with diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Research context named in the episode: LEAP trial (early oral peanut introduction): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850 

Follow Dr. Kara Wada:

💻 Website: https://drkarawada.com 

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd/

⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drkarawada 

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

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 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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If your midlife metabolism suddenly stopped playing by the old rules, you’re not imagining it. In this episode, Dr. Brighten breaks down how perimenopause and menopause shift insulin sensitivity, fat distribution, appetite, and recovery and where glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (think semaglutide/Ozempic, Wegovy, liraglutide, tirzepatide as a related incretin therapy) can fit safely alongside hormone therapy, lifting, protein, and smart lab work. You’ll leave with a practical checklist you can take to your clinician, plus a clear understanding of how to protect muscle, heart, and brain while losing fat.

Now, to be clear, this episode isn’t about convincing anyone to use a GLP-1. It is about making sure you know how they work, what the risks are, and what you MUST do to stay healthy on them. You’ll hear the new science of what role they play in cardiovascular disease prevention.

🎧For the entire show notes + links mentioned in the episode, please visit: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/glp-1-weight-loss-in-menopause/ 

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Does endometriosis go away after menopause? Many women hope so, but the reality is more complex. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with Dr. Melissa McHale to unpack the latest science, surgical risks, and what women truly need to know about navigating endometriosis during perimenopause and menopause.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

LUMEBOX

💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com

Sunlighten Saunas

At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now → https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten 

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Dr. Melissa McHale’s clinic: https://www.washingtonendometriosis.com/
• Dr. Melissa McHale’s social media: https://www.instagram.com/drmelissamchale/?hl=en
• Endo Flare guide https://drbrighten.com/endoflare/ to help you get of, and stay out of pain
• Beyond the Pill (Book) https://drbrighten.com/beyond-the-pil
• Is This Normal (Book) https://drbrighten.com/is-this-normal 
• ADHD and Endometriosis Connection https://youtu.be/M57eI4uA2A0?si=K-T1hLA7bSppRO3d
• When to Take Progesterone for Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/progesterone-for-perimenopause/
• Menopause and Autoimmune Disease in Women: Symptoms, Flare-Ups, and What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You https://drbrighten.com/menopause-and-autoimmune-disease/
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, & Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPPS Disease): How to Finally Get Relief | Dr. Ana Sierra https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/pelvic-congestion-syndrome/
• How to Tell If You Have Endometriosis. Painful Menstruation, Symptoms, and Treatment | Dr. Ramiro Cabrera https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/how-to-tell-if-you-have-endometriosis/
• Endometriosis Awareness Month: Shttps://drbrighten.com/podcasts/symptoms-of-menopause/Fassbender A, Vanhie A, Saunderpecial Episode Clips https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/endometriosis-awareness-month-special-episode-clips/
• Should You Consider HRT? How to Know If It's Time & What to Ask Your Doctor https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/should-you-consider-hrt/
• HRT for Menopause & Perimenopause: Benefits, Side Effects & Menopause Solutions | Dr. Amy Killen https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/hrt-for-menopause/
• The Medical System Is Misleading Women About Symptoms of Menopause | Dr. Tara Scott s PTK, et al. Endometriosis and cancer: lessons from a clinico-pathological and molecular approach https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10046182/pdf/cancers-15-01708.pdf Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(6):1708. doi:10.3390/cancers15061708 

✨ Stay Connected with Dr. Brighten ✨

• Website: https://drbrighten.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjolenebrighten
• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten
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• Facebook: https://facebook.com/drbrighten
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

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So you finally got your progesterone prescription to help you sleep better, feel calmer, and support your hormones, but instead of feeling better, you’re more anxious, moody, and wide awake at night. You might have progesterone intolerance.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I uncover why some women experience the opposite of the “calming” benefits they’re promised, and what new research reveals about how progesterone interacts with the brain. Whether you’re in perimenopause, on HRT, or struggling with PMS/PMDD, this conversation will help you finally connect the dots.

Understanding Progesterone Intolerance and Side Effects

What are the side effects of progesterone? Progesterone side effects can include insomnia, panic attacks, mood swings, and even feelings of rage. For many women, though, it has the opposite effect—improving sleep and calming the nervous system. In this episode https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/ , I share the science behind why some women thrive while others struggle.

Can progesterone cause anxiety? Yes, in some women. Instead of activating the brain’s calming GABA receptors, progesterone’s metabolite may overstimulate the nervous system. I explain how new research on the amygdala sheds light on this paradox.

Is progesterone intolerance the same as PMS or PMDD? Not quite. While symptoms can overlap, progesterone intolerance has unique brain-level differences that make women more reactive during the luteal phase. Tune in to hear the distinctions that matter for treatment.

What’s the difference between progesterone and progestin side effects? Doctors and media often use these words interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. Progestins are synthetic, bind differently to hormone receptors, and are linked with depression risk in teens and women starting contraception. I break down the chemistry and clinical differences in this episode https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/.

For the entire show notes + links mentioned in the episode, please visit: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/progesterone-side-effects/

Book: Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten – https://drbrighten.com/is-this-normal

Book: Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten – https://drbrighten.com/beyond-the-pil

Progesterone Intolerance Article – https://drbrighten.com/progesterone-intolerance

Dr. Brighten Essentials Supplements:

• Adrenal Calm – https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/adrenal-calm
• Adrenal Support – https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/adrenal-support
• Women’s Probiotic – https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic
• Balance Women’s Hormone Support – https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/balance

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Are you unknowingly feeding your kids foods that sabotage their gut health, disrupt hormones, and even affect brain performance? In this eye‑opening conversation, I sit down with pediatric functional medicine expert Dr. Elisa Song to uncover the hidden ingredients and environmental exposures shaping your child’s mood, focus, immune health, and long‑term development. From sugar and brain function to delayed puberty in boys, autoimmune warning signs, and the microbiome’s role in behavior, this is a must‑listen for every parent who wants to protect and optimize their child’s health.

This is our second episode with Dr. Elisa Song, so be sure to check out our first interview where we talked extensively about strategies for picky eaters https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/child-gut-health/

This episode is brought to you by: 

Fygg Toothpaste

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Developed by functional dentists Dr. Mark Burhenne and Dr. Staci Whitman, it’s crafted with clean, microbiome-friendly ingredients you can feel great about. 

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Dr. Brighten Essentials

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

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Sunlighten Saunas

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now → https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten 

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Dr. Elisa Song’s website https://www.healthykidshappykids.com

• Dr. Elisa Song’s Book Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to Whole Child Resilience https://amzn.to/3EsfeuI

• https://drbrighten.com/  for nutrition, hormone, and fertility support 

• Dr. Brighten Essentials Women's Probiotic for mom’s microbiome https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic 

• Tiny Health– gut microbiome testing https://www.tinyhealth.com/

• Episode with dentist Stacey Whitman https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/mouth-breathing-in-children/ about oral health/the oral microbiome

⭐ Follow Dr. Elisa Song:

💻 Website: https://www.healthykidshappykids.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthykids_happykids/

🟦 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrElisaSongMD/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Dermatologist Dr. Sara Cherem joins Dr. Jolene Brighten to share proven tips, bust myths, and reveal treatments that actually protect, restore, and rejuvenate your skin at every stage of life.

This episode is brought to you by: 

LUMEBOX

LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Dr. Brighten Essentials 

At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com

OneSkin 

Shop now → http://oneskin.co/BRIGHTEN use code BRIGHTEN for 15% off your first purchase.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Episode with Dr. Tony Youn https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/best-skincare-products-for-aging-skin/ 

• Article: Resveratrol Supplements https://drbrighten.com/resveratrol-supplement/

Products & Skincare Brands

• Alastin Skincare (especially the TriHex Technology products and laser-specific formulations) https://alastin.com/

• Polypodium leucotomos oral antioxidant (sold under various names, in Mexico as Heliocaps)

• Sculptra® (Poly-L-lactic acid injectable)

• Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Radiesse® and other brands)

• Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (various brands including Juvederm® by Allergan)

• Armonia filler (Allergan product, not yet available in the U.S.)

• Lycopene supplements

• Oral Omegas / Fish Oil supplements for skin barrier health https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus?_pos=1&_psq=omega&_ss=e&_v=1.0&selling_plan=995557410

• Antioxidants for topical and oral use (Vitamin C, berries, astaxanthin, etc.)

• LED Therapy Masks (no specific brand mentioned)

Devices & Technologies

• PhotoFinder (skin mapping and dermatoscope imaging system with AI analysis)z

• Hybrid Laser Devices (ablative + non-ablative)

• Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) for vascular redness

• Picosecond Lasers (for pigmentation)

• Radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening devices

• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) devices (Ultraformer mentioned)

• LED Light Therapy devices for skin and hair loss treatment https://drbrighten.com/lumebox

Ingredients & Actives

• Vitamin C (topical antioxidant)

• Retinoids (for collagen stimulation)

• Peptides (skin communication molecules)

• Glycolic Acid (AHA exfoliant)

• Salicylic Acid (BHA exfoliant)

• Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs) (gentle exfoliants for sensitive skin)

• Ceramides (barrier repair moisturizers)

• Lipids & Cholesterol (skin barrier support)

Follow Sara Cherem :

💻 Website: https://www.theskinclinic.mx/en

📸 Instagram: :https://www.instagram.com/drasaracherem/

 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drasaracherem

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Better sleep means better hormones and in this episode, I’ll show you exactly how to sleep better by tackling three often-overlooked disruptors: blood sugar crashes, histamine surges, and ADHD-related sleep challenges. If you’ve already tried balancing estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol (covered in Part One), but you’re still waking up in the middle of the night, this is the episode you need.

🎧 Listen to Part One here: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/sleep-disturbances/

Chapters

00:00 – Trailer & Welcome to the Show

01:00 – Why this is Part Two of the Sleep Series

02:00 – Blood sugar and sleep: the hidden 2–4 AM crash

04:00 – Signs your blood sugar is waking you up

05:00 – Structuring meals to stabilize blood sugar

07:00 – Bedtime snacks that keep you asleep

09:00 – Supplements to support blood sugar and sleep

11:00 – Exercise timing for better sleep and steady energy

14:00 – Histamine surges and hidden inflammation

15:00 – How estrogen, progesterone, and histamine interact

16:00 – Signs histamine is wrecking your sleep

18:00 – Tracking and avoiding histamine triggers at night

19:00 – Gut health’s role in clearing histamine from body

21:00 – Nutrients that support histamine clearance

22:00 – ADHD and its unique impact on sleep

24:00 – Estrogen decline and ADHD symptom spikes

25:00 – The delayed melatonin release in ADHD brains

26:00 – Bedtime procrastination and the ADHD brain

28:00 – How to know if ADHD is behind your sleep issues

33:00 – Creating a sensory-friendly bedtime routine

34:00 – Building novelty and pleasure into bedtime habits

35:00 – Blue light, melatonin, and screen use at night

36:00 – Customizing sleep strategies for your unique brain

This Episode is Brought to You By:

Fygg: https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription)

Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

The Optimal Adrenal Kit from Dr. Brighten Essentials—formulated to help rebalance cortisol, improve stress resilience, and support deeper, more restorative sleep. Use code POD15 for 15% off at Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Part One of the Sleep Series – covers estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol’s role in blood sugar and sleep https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/sleep-disturbances/

Free Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan – recipes to stabilize blood sugar, support gut health, and help you sleep better

Myoinositol Plus – supports insulin signaling, blood sugar and sleep in women with PCOS https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus

Magnesium Plus – for relaxation, nervous system support, and blood sugar and sleep regulation https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus

Women’s Probiotic – supports gut health, estrogen clearance, and how to clear histamine from body https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic

Insulin Dysregulation Episode – exact lab values to check for stable blood sugar https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/insulin-resistance/

Gut Health Episode – why olive oil polyphenols and gut balance matter for how to sleep better https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/

Episode with Jennifer Fugo on Histamine & Diet – understanding histamine triggers and how to clear histamine from body without over-restricting https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/is-it-really-histamine-intolerance/

Gut Hormone Connection Article – how gut health affects hormones, histamine, and blood sugar and sleep https://drbrighten.com/gut-hormone-connection/

Histamine & PMDD Article – exploring histamine’s role in period-related sleep disruption https://drbrighten.com/histamine-and-pmdd/

ADHD Sleep Episode – how ADHD brains process sleep differently and ways to improve how to sleep better https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/

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Struggling to fall asleep… stay asleep… or waking up at 2 AM with your heart racing and your sheets soaked? These sleep disturbances are not in your head and they’re not something you just have to live with. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we dive deep into what’s really going on when women can’t sleep during perimenopause. You’ll learn why melatonin alone won’t fix it, how to naturally restore your hormones for sleep, and exactly what’s driving your body’s middle-of-the-night chaos. If you’re tired of being tired and ready for real answers, this one’s for you.

Subscribe to the Podcast:

🎧 Apple Podcasts (iTunes):  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show 

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VUEAdWYh7USuTXykznxKe 

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drbrighten

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials Magnesium Plus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus—a calming, non-drowsy formula with highly absorbable magnesium glycinate to support your nervous system and melatonin production naturally. Use code POD15 for 15% off at Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus 

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Magnesium Plus – Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus?selling_plan=995459106

Adrenal Calm - Dr. Brighten Essentials, evening sleep formula https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/adrenal-calm?selling_plan=995328034

Adrenal Support – Dr. Brighten Essentials, daytime energy formula https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/adrenal-support?selling_plan=995360802

Myoinositol Plus – Sleep + Ovulation Support https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus?selling_plan=995426338

Balance Women’s Hormone https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/balance?selling_plan=995295266

B Active Plus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/b-active-plus?selling_plan=995393570

Period Problems Support Kit https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/period-problems-kit?selling_plan=995721250

Free Hormone-Supportive Meal Plan https://drbrighten.com/plan

Is This Normal by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/is-this-normal

Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/beyond-the-pill

ADHD, Sleep & Hormones: Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off at Night https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/

Gut Health Probiotics: What Every Woman Needs to Know to Balance Hormones Naturally https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/

Struggling with Sleep & Anxiety? Are Low Progesterone Symptoms to Blame | Dr. Carrie Jones https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/

Carbs, Cortisol, and Perimenopause: The Real Path to Feeling Forever Strong | Liz Wolfe https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/forever-strong/

Study: Circadian Rhythm and Reproduction https://rep.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rep/132/3/1320379.xml

Study: Melatonin a Multitasking Hormone https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20478436/

Study: Rotating Shift Work & The Menstrual Cycle https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21364464/

Article: Progesterone for Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/progesterone-for-perimenopause/

Article: Perimenopause Sleep Issues https://drbrighten.com/perimenopause-sleep-issues/ 

Let’s stay connected! 

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 

🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjolenebrighten

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What if the foods you eat could literally turn back the clock on your biological age—and even delay menopause? In this groundbreaking episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I’m joined by Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, a functional medicine leader and author of Younger You, to explore the science behind ovarian rejuvenation, age reversal, and how a longevity diet rich in polyphenols could hold the key to staying youthful longer—hormonally, mentally, and physically.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how Dr. Fitzgerald's clinical trial reduced biological age by over 3 years in just 8 weeks—using food rich in polyphenols, strategic lifestyle shifts, and zero expensive drugs or procedures. We unpack the emerging science of ovarian rejuvenation, how delaying menopause is tied to overall health (not beauty culture), and why the foods you choose daily may matter more than your genes when it comes to aging.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Dr. Brighten’s free anti-inflammatory recipe plan: http://drbrighten.com/plan 

• Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s Master Class: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/virtual-masterclass-for-clinicians/

• Book: Younger You by Dr. Kara Fitzgerald https://a.co/d/hZR56Zv

• Epigenetic Age Quiz (Free): https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/quiz

• Podcast episode with Victoria Sebastiano on Yamanaka Factors : https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cgKzXuNTQhb0f82lukBsl?si=rfo2GMhmTr6Cf1paLo4dfA

• Recommended labs: DNA methylation tests (Pace of Aging, Dunedin Clock), Heavy Metals Panel (blood), Functional Toxin Panels (Vibrant or Mosaic)

• Kara’s Clinical Study on Biological Age Reversal: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33844651/

👩🏼‍⚕️Follow Kara Fitzgerald:

💻 Website: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkarafitzgerald

📘Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKaraFitzgeral

⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jYgG7WMnqPeC4uwslqdfQ

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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If you feel achy, foggy, nauseous, or feverish before your period—only to have it all vanish once your bleed begins—you’re not alone. You may be experiencing menstrual flu, a cluster of flu-like symptoms that affect countless women during the luteal phase, yet remains mostly unrecognized by conventional medicine. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we break the silence around period flu symptoms, explain the science behind why they happen, and give you the tools to feel better—fast.

This Episode is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Hormone Balancing Meal Plan: https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit

• Book: Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/is-this-normal?_pos=1&_psq=is+this+normal&_ss=e&_v=1.0

• Natural Cycles App: https://naturalcycles.app/DrBrighten use code DrBrighten to get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer

• Quick IBS & Endometriosis Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161?i=1000700150293

• PMDD and Histamine Article: https://drbrighten.com/histamine-and-pmdd/

• Histamine and ADHD Connection Article: https://drbrighten.com/histamine-and-adhd/

Products Mentioned:

• Magnesium glycinate (300 mg/day) View my Magnesium Plus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus?selling_plan=995459106
• Fish oil (1–2 grams daily or wild-caught salmon) View my Omega Plus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus?selling_plan=995557410

• Vitex (chaste tree berry, 200 mg/day) View my Balance Women’s Hormone Support https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/balance?selling_plan=995295266

• B6-rich supplements (25–50 mg/day) View my Balance Women’s Hormone Support https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/balance?selling_plan=995295266

📲 Connect with Dr. Brighten

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten
🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share If this episode helped you feel seen or gave you actionable tools, please hit like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this!

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What if the nutrition advice you’ve followed for decades—like low-fat foods, “toning” workouts, or calorie restriction—was actually sabotaging your metabolism and hormones? In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Liz Plosser, former editor-in-chief of Women’s Health magazine, to uncover the truth about high protein diets, strength training, and the power of creatine for women, especially in perimenopause.

Liz shares her behind-the-scenes insights from the magazine world and how she went from promoting outdated weight loss myths to embracing evidence-based practices like creatine supplements and high protein diets to support midlife metabolism and strength. If you’ve been struggling with body composition changes, low energy, or stubborn weight gain, this episode gives you the real tools to take back control. This Episode is Brought to you By: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials Optimal Adrenal Kit https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/optimal-adrenal-kit?selling_plan=995590178

Struggling with low energy, brain fog, or stubborn belly fat? The Optimal Adrenal Kit was designed to support cortisol balance, energy, and hormone resilience, especially during perimenopause. Use code POD15 to save 15% at http://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products.

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Dr. Brighten’s Perimenopause Weight Loss Plan (FREE): https://drbrighten.com/plan

• Liz Plosser’s Substack: Best Case Scenario https://lizplosser.substack.com/

• Liz’s book: Own Your Morning: Reset Your A.M. to Unlock Your Potential https://amzn.to/3UmltFb

• How to Lose weight in Perimenopause: https://drbrighten.com/how-to-lose-weight-during-perimenopause/

• How to Lose Weight in Menopause: https://drbrighten.com/menopause-weight-loss/

• Inositol for Weight Loss: https://drbrighten.com/inositol-for-weight-loss/ 

• How Hormone Imbalance Can Make Weight Loss Difficult: https://drbrighten.com/hormonal-imbalance-and-weight-loss/  

• How to Eat 30 grams oF Protein for Breakfast: https://drbrighten.com/breakfast-with-30-grams-of-protein/ 

• How Much Protein Should Women Have: https://drbrighten.com/how-much-protein-should-women-have/  

🌟 Follow Liz Plosser:

💻 Website: https://www.lizplosser.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizplosser/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the best diet for ADHD isn’t about strict elimination or food fear, but about nourishing your brain to function at its best? In this powerful conversation, Tim Frie, nutritional neuroscience researcher, joins me to unpack how your food environment, nutrient intake, and even your stress levels shape your focus, mood, and executive function. We go far beyond the hype and fear-mongering around “ADHD diets” and dive into what the science actually says about how to feed your brain for better attention, energy, and emotional balance. If you’ve ever wondered what role nutrition really plays in ADHD, autism, or trauma recovery, this episode is for you.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com

Optimal Adrenal Kit https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/optimal-adrenal-kit use code POD15 for 15% off 

Chorus: https://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

Dr. Brighten’s ADHD-Hormone Sync Free Course: https://drbrighten.com/sync 

ADHD and Women’s Hormones: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-hormones/

ADHD and Anxiety: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-anxiety/ 

ADHD and Butyrate Research: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87546-y 

Dr. Brighten Essentials Omega Plus: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been searching for the real answers about PCOS, fertility, and what actually works to balance your hormones, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Cory Ruth, Registered Dietitian and women’s hormone expert, joins me to share exactly how your diet, gut health, and key supplements can transform your health, improve fertility, and help you feel like yourself again—without perfectionism or unrealistic “wellness” rules.

We dig into the PCOS fertility diet and the best supplements to help regulate cycles, stabilize blood sugar, boost mood, and even lower your long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. Cory’s honest, practical advice will help you take action right away—without spending hours cooking or blowing your grocery budget. This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  

Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Dr. Brighten’s free anti-inflammatory recipe plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan

• Recommended supplements: CoQ10, omega-3s, inositol, and vitamin D

• Dr. Brighten’s episode on Insulin Resistance: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/insulin-resistance/

• Books:

•  Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://amzn.to/3becjT7

• Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy

• Tools: My Fitness Pal for tracking fiber and macros https://www.myfitnesspal.com/

✨ Follow Cory Ruth:

💻 Website: https://www.thewomensdietitian.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomensdietitian/?hl=en

⭕  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrDBBp2AkdCLi2cNoAJWsjQ

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewomensdietitian?lang=en

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered if your brain fog, fatigue, and painful periods might actually be connected? In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I share groundbreaking research and personal experience showing how women diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to also have endometriosis and vice versa. This is a conversation every woman struggling with hormone-driven symptoms, chronic pain, or neurodivergence needs to hear.

What we uncover may completely change how you look at your body, your brain, and your health.

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: Save 15% on our Omega Plus and other supplement using the code POD15 https://drbrightenessentials.com/

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Free Mini Hormone ADHD Course: http://drbrighten.com/sync
• Get out of Endo Pain Fast with the FREE Endo Flare Guide: https://drbrighten.com/endoflare/
• Omega-3 to consider for ADHD and endometriosis support: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus?selling_plan=995557410
• Best fibers to consider in your diet: https://drbrighten.com/best-prebiotic/
• Psychiatric comorbidity among women with endometriosis (PubMed, 2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32112731/
• Autistic individuals have increased risk of chronic physical health conditions across the whole body: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/autistic-individuals-have-increased-risk-of-chronic-physical-health-conditions-across-the-whole-body 

📲 Connect with Dr. Brighten

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten
🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share If this episode helped you feel seen or gave you actionable tools, please hit like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this!

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Think estrogen replacement causes cancer? Think again. In this game-changing episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with world-renowned OB-GYN and integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Felice Gersh to dismantle one of the most damaging myths in women's health. From hormone confusion and cancer fear to the power of estradiol in protecting your brain, heart, and mitochondria—this conversation is a full-body hormonal re-education. If you’ve ever been told to fear estrogen or avoid hormone replacement therapy, you must hear this.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products.

Chorus: Chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Interested in sponsoring the show? Contact us at media@drbrighten.com.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Felice Gersh’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.felicegersh/?hl=en
• Felice Gersh’s website: https://integrativemgi.com/
• Dr. Felice Gersh’s books and research: 

• Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know: What to Expect During the Three Stages of Menopause: https://bit.ly/46F4qFl

• PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track: The 12-week plan to optimize your chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby: https://amzn.to/40kdPhU

• Pcos SOS: A Gynecologist's Lifeline To Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness: https://amzn.to/40MBG9V

• Dr. Brighten’s free anti-inflammatory (peri)menopause recipe plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan
• Menopause and Perimenopause Resources: https://drbrighten.com/category/balance-hormones/perimenopause-menopause/
• Progestins & Breast Cancer Risk: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076023001966
• Progestin Contraceptives & Breast Cancer Risk: https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/117/5/1046/7951389 
• Menopause Hormone Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk: https://gremjournal.com/journal/02-2024/menopausal-hormone-therapy-and-breast-cancer-risk-21-years-from-the-whi-clinical-studies/

Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

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Think your gut is just about digestion? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten uncovers the surprising truth about how gut health probiotics and the right foods—especially fermented foods for gut health—can deeply impact your hormones, immune system, mood, and more. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by fatigue, bloating, heavy periods, thyroid issues, or anxiety, your gut could be the missing link—and it’s one you can start supporting today.

This Episode is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Chorus: Chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  . 

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Endometriosis Flare Guide — drbrighten.com/endoflare
• Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan — drbrighten.com/plan
• Dr. Brighten Essentials Women's Probiotic — specifically formulated to support gut health probiotics and hormone balance https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic?selling_plan=995917858
• Dr. Brighten Essentials Balance Women’s Hormone Support — specifically formulated to support estrogen detox and the gut estrobolome https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/balance?selling_plan=995295266
• Thyroid Deep Dive with Dr. Izabella Wentz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONw2EiGa7JY
• Insulin & Blood Sugar Regulation Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEGKXDL-OE
• Vagus Nerve / Nervous System Support Episode with Dr. Navaz Habib: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugVgKTRrS8
• Article: Best Prebiotic Fibers for Gut Health: https://drbrighten.com/best-prebiotic/
• Seed Cycling & Gut Health: https://drbrighten.com/seed-cycling-for-hormone-balance/

📲 Connect with Dr. Brighten

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share If this episode helped you feel seen or gave you actionable tools, please hit like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this! ✨ Leave a comment and tell us what type of fatigue resonated most—we read every single one.

If you’re ready to finally connect the dots between your gut and your hormones and get the science-backed steps to start healing—this is the episode to press play on. Your hormones will thank you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the stress, exhaustion, and emotional reactivity you’re battling every day aren’t just personality quirks, but symptoms of nervous system dysregulation? In this deeply moving and enlightening episode, I sit down with Meliza Mokrani—trauma-informed health coach, founder of Worthy Wellness Studio, and nervous system educator—to explore how chronic stress, cultural conditioning, and unhealed trauma shape your hormones, health, and self-worth. We unpack how your autonomic nervous system dysregulation could be behind so much of what you’re calling “normal,” and more importantly, how you can begin to heal.

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off.

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Meliza on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melizamokrani
• Worthy Wellness Studio -  Berkeley, CA: https://www.worthyselfcare.com
• Join the Waitlist - Mothering Beyond Narcissism Meliza’s proprietary method for a nervous system reset. Understand your triggers. Rewire your stress response: https://melizamokrani.com/mothering-beyond-narcissism/
• The WORTHY App - Science-backed breathwork, somatic movement, and regulation tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://worthyselfcare.com/app/
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – on trauma and how the body stores it: https://amzn.to/3U1brc4
• Pelvic Floor Therapy Resource [Dr. Diana Mendez’s episode on pelvic health]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHFcqE-9QM
• Free Nervous System Resource [Downloadable guides and tools to begin your self-regulation journey]: https://melizamokrani.com/resources/
• So Informed - Instagram account for digestible weekly news recaps: https://www.instagram.com/so.informed/

Follow Meliza Mokrani:

Website: https://melizamokrani.com/

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/melizamokrani

X: https://x.com/melizamokrani

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

 
Whether you're navigating burnout, hormone chaos, or the lingering effects of childhood trauma, this episode gives you the science, tools, and validation you need to reclaim your calm. Understanding nervous system dysregulation and healing from trauma isn’t just a mental health matter—it’s a foundational pillar of vibrant, whole-body wellness. Tune in and begin your own transformation from survival to regulation. 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten unpacks the three hidden causes of fatigue most doctors miss and the real reasons so many women are running on empty. If you've ever been told it's just stress, aging, or that you need more sleep, this episode will feel like both a truth bomb and a roadmap.

Through powerful insights on PCOS, neurodivergence, and cortisol dysfunction, Dr. Brighten connects the dots between your symptoms and your physiology—so you can stop blaming yourself and start getting your energy back. Expect practical, science-backed tools you can use today to finally feel like yourself again.

👇 Mentioned in this Episode

• Best Supplements for PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/supplements-for-pcos/
• Anti-inflammatory meal plan with 21 recipes: https://drbrighten.com/plan/
• Myo-Inositol Plus Supplement: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus?srsltid=AfmBOoqXWxECOe63krZepCRoGPcPmCgB3N8CjPJndovjn0u6V5Bhg88U&selling_plan=995426338
• Dr. Brighten Recommended PCOS Supplement Kit: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/pcos-plus-kit?srsltid=AfmBOopX_05VPM57CHOwvf2u-H8Rm2IpXBmoS-pYuz9BC7yoA0Urzp8T&selling_plan=1482620962
• Dr. Brighten’s Insulin Resistance Deep Dive Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEGKXDL-OE
• Burnout Recovery Episode (for deeper strategies on brain-based fatigue) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwYf-2orq-8
• Dr. Diana Mendez on Painful Sex & Pelvic Floor Health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHFcqE-9QM
• Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on RSD & Emotional Regulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdHqxvq2VA8
• Vagus Nerve Episode: How to Reset Your Nervous System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugVgKTRrS8
• Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten – Includes libido support & lube recommendations: https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy
• Beyond The Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://amzn.to/3becjT7

🎙 This Episode Is Brought to You ByDr. Brighten Essentials:

Optimal Adrenal Kit - Restore your energy naturally and get better sleep. Use CODE  POD15 for 15% off  https://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products.

📲 Connect with Dr. Brighten

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share If this episode helped you feel seen or gave you actionable tools, please hit like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs this! ✨ Leave a comment and tell us what type of fatigue resonated most—we read every single one.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, Why is my body changing even though I haven’t? — this episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself. In this deep, funny, and jaw-droppingly real conversation, I sit down with Liz Wolfe, certified personal trainer, nutrition expert, and author of Eat the Yolks, to break down the real reasons women feel like their metabolism crashes in their 40s—and how to become forever strong without starving, punishing workouts, or obsessing over “clean eating.”

We go far beyond food and calories and into the hormonal chaos, generational diet trauma, and lifestyle stressors that collide in perimenopause to make women feel like they're falling apart—when really, their bodies are just asking for something different. Something wiser. Something that leads to forever strong health and energy.

🛍️This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products.

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

✨Want to support the show? Check out these incredible brands that help us bring you conversations that end the gatekeeping and get women the answers they deserve.
Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Liz Wolfe’s Eat the Yolks (book): https://amzn.to/44mepgl

• Liz Wolfe’s program with protein calculator + TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) tool: https://idealage.com/drbrighten

• Liz Wolfe’s podcast: https://idealage.buzzsprout.com/2449189/follow

• Dr. Brighten’s Free Perimenopause Weight Loss Plan: http://drbrighten.com/plan 

• Article: Breakfast with 30 Grams of Protein https://drbrighten.com/breakfast-with-30-grams-of-protein/

• Article: How Much Protein Do Women Need https://drbrighten.com/how-much-protein-should-women-have/ 

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎙️ Follow Liz Wolfe :

💻 Website: https://realfoodliz.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodliz/ 

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations that help you take charge of your hormones and your health.

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Did you know that when estrogen drops during perimenopause and menopause, ADHD symptoms can skyrocket? If you’ve felt like your ADHD got worse overnight—or that your once-manageable brain fog, mood swings, or forgetfulness have taken over—you're not imagining things. 

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we uncover the science behind how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, and testosterone profoundly impact the ADHD brain and why menopause and perimenopause make those effects louder, messier, and harder to ignore. If you're a woman navigating perimenopause and ADHD, or wrestling with brain fog and menopause, this conversation is the empowering knowledge bomb you’ve been waiting for.

🎧 Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free ADHD Hormone Sync Mini Course — https://drbrighten.com/sync/
• Free Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan for Hormone & Brain Support — https://drbrighten.com/plan/
• Sleep & ADHD Episode: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/
• ADHD Types & Hormones: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-types-and-hormones/
• Insulin & Blood Sugar Episode with Lab Guide: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/insulin-resistance/
• Perimenopause Weight Loss & Exercise Strategies: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/
• Menopause Hormone Therapy or HRT to Manage Menopause Symptoms: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/symptoms-of-menopause/
• PMDD, Histamine & Neurodivergent women: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menstrual-cycle-and-hormone-health/
• ADHD Burnout Recovery: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-burnout/
• Vaginal Estrogen Therapy: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/hrt-for-menopause/

Dr. Brighten Essentials Supplements Discussed:

• Omega-3s (2000mg/day) for brain structure, mood, and inflammation https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus?selling_plan=995557410
• Magnesium Glycinate (300mg at night) for nervous system and sleep https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus?selling_plan=995459106

HRT Protocols Mentioned:

• Oral micronized progesterone (100–200mg at night)
• Topical estrogen (e.g. 0.025mg estradiol patch)
• Testosterone replacement based on labs: Total T, Free T, SHBG

🙌 Support the show by supporting our sponsorsDr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 👍 If this episode hit home, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Turn on notifications so you never miss a moment of hormone + ADHD truth.

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What if your autoimmune symptoms aren’t just about food, infections, or even your labs, but about the unresolved pain your body has carried for decades? In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Justin Janoska, founder of The Autoimmune Revolution, to unpack the invisible—but measurable—impact of Complex Trauma on women’s health. From the emotional injuries of childhood to the clinical signs of high cortisol levels and low HRV, this conversation explores how unresolved trauma—what Justin calls “Trauma Complex”—may be the hidden driver behind thyroid dysfunction, infertility, chronic fatigue, and even stubborn weight gain. This is the conversation your nervous system has been waiting for.

👍 LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE If this episode hit home for you, let us know in the comments. Like the video, share it with a friend, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next!

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• The Post-Dieting Comeback by Justin Janoska – https://amzn.to/3TwYNkU
• Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com/
• Whoop: https://www.whoop.com/us/en/
• Salivary Cortisol Testing: https://dutchtest.com/
• Dr. Navaz Habib (Vagus Nerve Episode Mentioned) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugVgKTRrS8
• Dr. Sara Szal (Gottfried) Episode on Trauma and Hormones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4NpJ7-aV7E
• Dr. Izabella Wentz Episode on Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Disease: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONw2EiGa7JY&t=4s

Follow Justin Janoska :

💻 Website: https://www.theautoimmunerevolution.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinjanoska

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justinjanoska

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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What if everything you’ve been told about period pain is wrong? In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten—board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and hormone expert—blows the lid off the myth that suffering through painful periods is just part of being a woman. With a deeply personal story of being dismissed for nearly three decades before finally being diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis, Dr. Brighten exposes how deeply broken our medical system is when it comes to women’s pain—and what you can do about it.

If you’ve ever been told that your only options for period pain relief are birth control or a hysterectomy, this episode will change your life. You’ll learn the real root causes behind your symptoms, the labs and imaging you should be asking for, how to partner with your doctor instead of being dismissed, and the lifestyle strategies that are making a massive difference for thousands of women around the world. This Episode Is Brought to You By:

LUME BOX: http://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 

Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/ use code POD15 for 15% off – Supporting parents and families with tools that work.

You’ve Been Lied to About Period Pain—Here’s the Truth

Up to 90% of teens and 80% of adults experience period pain, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten shares the real root causes behind extreme period pain, how to get real answers from your doctor, and what you can do right now to get period pain relief—without relying solely on birth control or surgery.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Period Pain Guide: https://drbrighten.com/endoflare

• Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan + Recipes: https://drbrighten.com/plan

• Balance Women’s Hormone Support Supplement: https://drbrighten.com/product/balance

• Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/beyond-the-pill

• Endo Belly Article: https://drbrighten.com/endo-belly/

• DIM Article: https://drbrighten.com/dim-supplement/ 

• Endometriosis Episode with Dr. Ram Cabrera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBGUk49BpU4&t=15s

• How to Prepare for Endometrisosis Excision Surgery Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKUJoTwU_rA

• Thyroid Episode with Dr. Izabella Wentz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONw2EiGa7JY&t=3s

• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Episode with Dr. Diana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHFcqE-9QM

Research Papers & Resources:

• "Medical Misogyny Leaves Many Women in Pain" https://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj.q2780 (Published study referenced in episode)
• Period Pain Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11477228/ 
• Period Pain in Teens: https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/21/6/762/628858

• 93% of Women Feel Dismissed: https://www.femtechworld.co.uk/news/93-of-women-feel-dismissed-when-seeking-medical-help-new-survey-reveals

👍 If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

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What happens when you're in your 20s, seemingly healthy, and then your body turns on you overnight? In this powerful episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, model and wellness advocate Alaia Baldwin shares the deeply human side of living with polycystic ovarian syndrome insulin resistance, misdiagnosed cortisol face, and the complex journey of learning how to treat endometriosis. She talks intimately about being a part of a famous family and how they supported her deeply through her journey. From collapsing into bed with chronic fatigue to confronting misdiagnoses and bloating that made her look months pregnant as a model and mother, Alaia opens up about the real impact of hormonal disorders that are too often minimized or misunderstood.

This is not just about symptoms. It’s about survival. About self-trust. And about how a woman can transform pain into purpose. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by doctors, exhausted beyond explanation, or bloated beyond belief — this episode is for you.

👇 YOU’LL LEARN:

• How to recognize cortisol face as a warning sign of hormone imbalance

• The emotional and physical toll of polycystic ovarian syndrome insulin resistance

• What no one tells you about how to treat endometriosis effectively

• The nutrition and lifestyle shifts that changed everything

• How motherhood intersects with invisible illness and how to cope

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Alaia Baldwin’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alaiabaldwin

• Myo Inositol Plus from Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus

• DrBrighten.com – Free Hormone & PCOS Resources https://drbrighten.com/category/menstrual-cycle/pcos/

• Book: Is This Normal by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/is-this-normal

• Understanding Cortisol Face – Adrenal PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/adrenal-pcos/

• MyoInositol and PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/best-inositol-supplement/

• Cold Plunge Therapy for Women: https://drbrighten.com/cold-plunge-benefits/

• Endo What? Documentary – Endometriosis Awareness https://www.endowhat.com/

• How to Tell If You Have Endometriosis with Dr. Ram Cabrera [Podcast]: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/how-to-tell-if-you-have-endometriosis/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You stopped taking the pill… now what? For millions of women, the birth control pill has been a lifeline or a frustrating mystery. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten unpacks what really happens when you stop hormonal birth control and why no one in the doctor’s office seems to prepare you for the aftermath. Whether you're quitting the pill to get pregnant, manage side effects, or simply reconnect with your body, this episode is your roadmap to understanding and healing.

Dr. Brighten breaks down post-birth control syndrome, hormonal chaos, gut health, metabolic shifts, and what the first few months after quitting really look like. With clinical insight, personal stories, and practical solutions, this conversation is your ultimate guide to reclaiming your hormonal health—on your terms.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Natural Cycles: https://naturalcycles.app/DrBrighten use code DrBrighten to get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer.

DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten – https://amzn.to/3becjT7
• Gut Health Episode with Gastroenterologist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QivbSb4JzM
• Episode on Painful Periods & Medical Gaslighting – Coming next week, subscribe so you don't miss the episode https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten
• Perimenopause Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Episode – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TQ5fbOKsMI
• Thyroid Health Episode – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONw2EiGa7JY
• Recommended Prenatal/Multi Supplement – https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/prenatal-plus?selling_plan=995786786

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

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Are we really still using 70-year-old tools in women’s health? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with award-winning journalist and author Marina Gerner to expose how outdated our current reproductive health care system really is—from the epidural as the “last big innovation” in birth care to the lack of real advancement in birth control methods. But this conversation isn’t just about what’s broken—it’s also about what’s being built. 

You’ll learn about groundbreaking innovations like smart bras that detect heart disease, digital contraceptives that rival the pill in efficacy, and why FemTech may be the future of women’s health. Whether you're frustrated by the current system or looking for hopeful, empowering solutions, this episode is packed with actionable insight, compelling stats, and a vision for what modern reproductive health could and should look like. This episode is brought to you by: 

• Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off – Supporting parents and families with tools that work.
• Natural Cycles: https://naturalcycles.app/DrBrighten use code DrBrighten to get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer.
• LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products.

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!
Links Mentioned in This Episode

• The Vagina Business by Marina Gerner –​​ https://amzn.to/4kM7xPI
• Dr. Brighten’s book Is This Normal? – https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy
• Dr. Brighten’s book Beyond the Pill - https://amzn.to/3becjT7
• Research: "Association of Hormonal Contraception With Depression" (JAMA, 2016) – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2552796
• Fertility Awareness resource guide – https://drbrighten.com/fertility-awareness-method-work/
• The Guardian article on the smart bra – https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2020/jun/02/smart-bras-and-a-light-tracker-the-wearable-tech-helping-plug-the-medical-gender-bias-gap

Follow Marina Gerner: Website https://www.marinagerner.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marinagerner

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marinagerner

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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If you're in your 40s and wondering why your go-to health strategies aren’t working anymore, this episode is your wake-up call. Up to 80% of women develop insulin resistance during perimenopause—and most don’t even know it. Weight gain, cravings, brain fog, poor sleep, and stubborn belly fat could all be signs your metabolism is being hijacked by hormonal shifts. But here’s the kicker: you don’t have to look overweight to be metabolically unhealthy. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the hormonal chaos of midlife, the labs your doctor probably isn’t running, and the nutrition and lifestyle upgrades that actually work—no fads required.

Download the free Perimenopause Weight Loss Action Plan at: https://drbrighten.com/plan

This Episode is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: use code POD15 for 15% off – Supporting parents and families with tools that work. https://drbrightenessentials.com

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. http://drbrighten.com/sunlighten

Want to reach an audience of health-literate, proactive women who care deeply about hormones and longevity? Email media@drbrighten.com to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

Dr. Brighten Essentials Products:

- Women's Probiotic with Lactobacillus rhamnosus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic

- Thyroid Support Formula https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/thyroid-support

- Myo Inositol Plus with chromium, green tea, and 2,000 mcg of myo-inositol https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus

Podcast Episodes:

- Perimenopause 101 – What’s Happening to Your Hormones? https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-symptoms-solutions-explained/ 

- How to Lose Weight in Perimenopause Without Losing Your Mind https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/

- Is HRT The Answer? Top HRT Questions Answered https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/should-you-consider-hrt/ 

- Sleep in Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/ 

- The Vagus Nerve and Stress Regulation https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/why-you-need-to-stimulate-vagus-nerve/ 

- Carbs, Muscle, and Hormones with Dr. Stephanie Estima https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/fitness-for-menopause/ 

- Neurodivergent Women and Hormone Health https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-types-and-hormones/ 

- Dr. Staci Whitman: Oral Health https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/mouth-breathing-in-children/

Articles & Tools:

- Can You Get Pregnant in Perimenopause? https://drbrighten.com/can-i-get-pregnant-during-perimenopause/ 

- Why Can’t I Sleep in Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/perimenopause-sleep-issues/ 

- How to Lose Weight in Menopause https://drbrighten.com/menopause-weight-loss/ 

- Visceral Fat in Women (aka Belly Fat) & How to Lose It https://drbrighten.com/menopause-belly-fat/

Study:

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode- Study: Estrogen Therapy & Insulin Sensitivity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25883987/

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In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with world-renowned dietitian and bestselling author Ilana Muhlstein to dismantle the myths and madness of the typical weight loss diet. Ilana doesn’t just talk the talk—she lost over 100 pounds, kept it off through three pregnancies, and helps millions do the same with her signature “Water First, Veggies Most” philosophy. This conversation is a blend of science, lived experience, and zero BS. If you're tired of confusing food rules, toxic trends, or watching Ozempic change your friends’ relationships with food, this one’s for you.

This episode is brought to you by:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Ilana Muhlstein’s program: 2B Mindset ⁠https://www.ilanamuhlstein.com/⁠

• Ilana’s Book: You Can Drop It! ⁠https://a.co/d/9oYkz9O⁠

• Ilana Meals (healthy meal delivery service): https://www.ilanameals.com

• Oodles High-Fiber Mac & Cheese: https://www.eatoodles.com

• Dr. Brighten’s Free Anti-Inflammatory Recipes + Holistic Weight Loss Plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan/ 

Follow Ilana Muhlstein:

💻Website https://www.ilanamuhlstein.com/

📸Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ilanamuhlsteinrd/

⭕YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IlanaProudPoser

🎥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nutritionbabe?lang=en 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with hormone expert and OB-GYN Dr. Tara Scott to debunk the most damaging myths about menopause and hormone therapy. If you’ve ever been told to “just deal with it” when it comes to menopause symptoms, or you’ve been scared off from exploring hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this is the empowering deep dive you’ve been waiting for. From the real risks to the misunderstood benefits, and the massive gaps in provider training—this conversation puts you in control of your health.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

This episode is your go-to guide for understanding symptoms of menopause, how to get menopause symptom relief, and the science-backed hormone replacement therapy benefits that every woman deserves to know. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at why so many doctors are misinformed, how to advocate for yourself, and the truth about estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and even DHEA.

This episode is brought to you by:

DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• The Menopause Society 2022 Position Statement: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2022/07000/the_2022_hormone_therapy_position_statement_of_the.4.aspx
• Study - Breast cancer risk for estrogen + micronized progesterone is only 1 in 1,000: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2022/07000/the_2022_hormone_therapy_position_statement_of_the.4.aspx
• Study on 10 million women and cardiovascular disease https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2024/05000/use_of_menopausal_hormone_therapy_beyond_age_65.3.aspx
• Study in the UK measuring serum levels: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2025/02000/the_range_and_variation_in_serum_estradiol.2.asp
• A4M Provider Directory: https://www.a4m.com/find-a-doctor.html
• Don’t forget to grab our free (peri)menopause weight loss plan with 21 anti-inflammatory recipes to help you hit your fiber and protein goals: https://drbrighten.com/plan/
• Episode with a pelvic floor physical therapist https://traffic.megaphone.fm/BRIGHTENWELLNESS9689937652.mp3?updated=1744960620
• Study in the UK measuring serum levels: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2025/02000/the_range_and_variation_in_serum_estradiol.2.asp
• Justin Houman’s episode https://traffic.megaphone.fm/BRIGHTENWELLNESS5177603335.mp3?updated=1745900309
• Does Endometriosis Go Away with Menopause https://drbrighten.com/does-endometriosis-go-away-after-menopause/
• 10 Odd Symptoms of Menopause https://drbrighten.com/10-odd-symptoms-of-menopause/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Tara Scott:

💻 Website: https://drtarascott.com/

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hormonegurumd/

⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaraScottMD

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with Ashley Greene Khoury—actress, entrepreneur, and Twilight alum—and her co-founder Olivia Khoury, to talk about the one thing the health industry still gets so wrong: women’s pain. Together, they’re rewriting the story on periods, PMDD, and hormone health through their company, Hummingway—a brand disrupting the femcare space with science-backed, non-toxic solutions.

What started as a personal struggle for both women turned into a mission to end the cycle of dismissal and disempowerment so many of us face when we walk into a doctor’s office. We go deep into topics most platforms won’t touch—from the real effects of birth control, to the way neurodivergent women are failed by traditional medicine. If you’ve ever been told your pain is normal, this episode will change the way you think about your body—and what it’s truly capable of.

This episode is brought to you by: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off . Natural Cycles: https://naturalcycles.app/DrBrighten use code DrBrighten to get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer. 📢 Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗Links Mentioned in This Episode: - Hummingway – https://ourhummingway.com - Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy - Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://amzn.to/3becjT7 - Dr. Brighten’s episode on ADHD and Hormones https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/ - Follow Hummingway on Instagram https://instagram.com/ourhummingway Article: ADHD and PMDD: ​​https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-pmdd-hormone-connection/ Article: PMDD and Histamine: https://drbrighten.com/histamine-and-pmdd/ Follow Ashley & Olivia: - Ashley Greene Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleygreene/?hl=en - Olivia Khoury Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livkhoury/?hl=en - Ashley Greene TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleygreenekhoury?lang=en - Olivia Khoury TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@living0napray3r?lang=en Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: Website: https://www.drbrighten.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten Grab my free Hormone Friendly Recipes https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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What do forever chemicals, food dye bans, and the future of autism care have in common? According to Dr. Will Cole—more than you might think. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we’re pulling back the curtain on the environmental toxins hiding in your clothes, cookware, and makeup, how the FDA banning food dye is just the tip of the iceberg, and what RFK Jr.’s controversial statements during Autism Awareness Month got very wrong and how we can do better.

From PFAS chemicals disrupting fertility, hormones, and gut health, to the polarized politics of the autism registry, this is a powerful conversation on how we reclaim our health through information, nuance, and actionable change.

Dr. Cole, a functional medicine pioneer, shares what he’s seeing in labs from patients across the globe, how “normal” symptoms are often anything but, and how to detox your body without falling into wellness perfectionism or fear. This is for the moms, the health-seekers, the neurodivergent families, and anyone tired of being told “everything is fine” when their labs—and life—say otherwise.

This episode is brought to you by: 

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests!

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Environmental Working Group PFAS Guide: https://www.ewg.org
• Berkey Water Filters http://drbrighten.com/berkey
• Book: Gut Feelings by Dr. Will Cole https://a.co/d/7scs7KX
• FDA updates on food dye bans: https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs 
• HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply
• Autism and gut research from Australia: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867421012319 
• Gut Microbiota Association with Autism: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-023-02556-6

Follow Dr. Will Coles Social Media:

• Dr. Will Cole’s podcast + website:⁠ http://drwillcole.com
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drwillcole
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrWillCole
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drwillcole

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Welcome to The Dr. Brighten Show! If you’ve ever wondered about your fertility, the quality of your eggs, or whether freezing them might be a smart move, this episode is a must-listen. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Debbie Cassis, an OBGYN, who has helped countless women navigate fertility preservation. 

Whether you’re thinking about starting a family now or just want to preserve your options and understand the egg freezing process, this episode will empower you with science-backed knowledge, expert advice, and a whole lot of real talk about egg freezing, IVF, and what you can do to optimize your fertility health at any age.

🔗 SPONSORS + LINKS This episode is made possible by our generous sponsors. To support the show and gain access to trusted resources, visit: 👉 DrBrighten.com for free hormone health guides and fertility resources 👉 DrBrightenEssentials.com for the highest-quality supplements

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Dr. Debbie Cassis’s Clinic: Hestia Fertility https://www.hestiafertility.com/en/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaD2_KtQr3rUrBiB9ID4uTH7bByiVSTNKWD3zcgTPjOmNLXEEJEobiVtGc_aem_Y4_N1iPJ1u5LXH7XCmugCQ

Dr. Debbie Cassis’s Instagram: @drad.debbiesassis https://www.instagram.com/dra.debbiecassis/?hl=en

Myo Inositol Plus to Support Egg Quality: Dr. Brighten Essentials https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus?selling_plan=995426338

Endometriosis Resource:Interview with Ram Cabrera https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/how-to-tell-if-you-have-endometriosis/

Beyond the Pill: Dr. Brighten’s book with fertility information https://amzn.to/3becjT7

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If you’ve been dismissed with “normal labs” while still struggling with hair loss, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, anxiety, infertility, or exhaustion, this episode will feel like a lifeline. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Dr. Izabella Wentz, clinical pharmacist, thyroid expert, and bestselling author, to uncover the real root causes of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism—and what you can do to reclaim your energy, mood, and metabolism. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or suspect something’s been missed, this conversation will equip you with the tools to finally take back your health.

This Episode Is Brought To You By: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrightenChorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Izabella Wentz’s Books: -- Hashimoto’s Protocol https://amzn.to/2TsgO3C -- Adrenal Transformation Protocol https://amzn.to/3MVERX3 -- The Root Cause Cookbook for Hashimoto’s https://amzn.to/2OpNLfa Key Supplements Discussed: -- Selenium (83–200 mcg) https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/thyroid-support -- Myo-Inositol (2,000 mg) https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus -- Benfotiamine (600 mg for thyroid-related fatigue) -- Magnesium Glycinate (for thyroid support) https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus -- Adaptogens: Rhodiola, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/adrenal-support Lab Tests You Should Request :https://drbrighten.com/essential-thyroid-labs-you-should-be-testing/ Scientific Research & Stats Referenced: -- Studies on celiac disease + gluten as a trigger for Hashimoto’s -- Dr. Alessio Fasano’s work on leaky gut and autoimmunity -- Evidence on fluoride’s link to hypothyroidism in UK water studies: https://jech.bmj.com/content/69/7/619 -- Izabella Wentz article on fluoride’s link to hypothyroidism: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/fluoride-and-your-thyroid -- Sauna 4x/week study showing reduced cardiovascular and toxic burden risk https://drbrighten.com/infrared-sauna-benefits/ Follow Izabella Wentz: -- Website https://thyroidpharmacist.com -- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/izabellawentzpharmd 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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If you’ve ever felt like your body is stuck in overdrive—wired, inflamed, exhausted—and no amount of supplements or protocols seem to help, this episode is for you. Dr. John Kim, functional medicine pharmacist and expert in cellular health, joins me to pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked root causes of chronic disease: the cell danger response. Born from autism research and grounded in mitochondrial science, this conversation will completely change how you view inflammation, healing, and the deep impact of childhood trauma on your long-term health.

We’re going beyond symptom management and diving into the mitochondrial-level mechanisms behind hormone imbalance, fatigue, and why so many people—especially women—feel like their bodies are “off” but their labs are “normal.” You’ll learn how sympathetic nervous system dysfunction, unresolved trauma, and environmental toxins trap your body in survival mode… and what it actually takes to break free.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode + show notes: https://drbrighten.com/podcast✨ This episode is brought to you by: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off 

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.  

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

• The Cell Danger Response research by Dr. Robert Naviaux: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31877376/

• HeartMath® for heart coherence training: https://www.heartmath.com/

• Iris software for red-light screen filtering: https://iristech.co/

• 🎙️ADHD Burnout: Why Women Are Always on the Edge of Exhaustion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwYf-2orq-8

• 🎙️ Dr. Navaz Habib’s episode: Stimulate the Vagus Nerve Daily: The Key to Reducing Inflammation & Anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugVgKTRrS8

• The ADHD Hormone Sync: https://drbrighten.com/sync/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

📚 Mentioned in this episode:📲 Follow Dr. John Kim

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john.pharmd/

Website: https://www.kimwellness.co/

🌿 Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten

Website: https://drbrighten.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

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If you’ve ever felt like your brain is moving through molasses, your to-do list is shouting at you, and no amount of caffeine can bring you back to life—this episode is for you. In this raw and real conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the science, the lived experience, and the hormonal chaos behind ADHD burnout. Especially for women in perimenopause, burnout hits harder, lasts longer, and is often misunderstood by everyone—including your doctors.

This isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s about the slow, invisible unraveling of your executive function, emotional regulation, and ability to feel joy. And it's made worse by fluctuating estrogen, relentless life stress, and decades of masking in a neurotypical world.

You’ll learn how to recognize ADHD burnout symptoms before they take over, what the 5 stages of burnout actually look like in real life, and the most effective tools for ADHD burnout recovery—without toxic positivity, shame, or one-size-fits-all advice.

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🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Free 5-Day Mini Course: ADHD Hormone + Brain Sync by Dr. Brighten https://drbrighten.com/sync/ 
• Podcast Episode on Sleep + ADHD https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/
• Podcast Episode on GABA and Anxiety https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/
• Podcast Episode on Vagus Nerve Stimulation https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/why-you-need-to-stimulate-vagus-nerve/
• Research: ADHD and Co-occurring Autism (70% statistic) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8918663/

🔥 CONNECT WITH DR. JOLENE BRIGHTEN

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free perimenopause hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/plan/ 

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If you’ve ever gone from waking up at 5am to cold plunge, journal, and hit a high-protein breakfast… to crying on the couch while eating saltines and wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again—this episode is for you. Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Aggie Lal to pull back the curtain on what pregnancy really feels like for high-performing women. It’s raw. It’s validating. And it redefines what it means to be healthy when your body demands rest, not optimization.

Aggie shares how pregnancy shook up her identity as a disciplined wellness devotee, and how she learned to trust her body in entirely new ways. They talk about the deep unlearning required to move from “doing it all” to simply being. This is a conversation about softness, surrender, and strength redefined.

This Episode Is Brought to You By:

Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off – Supporting parents and families with tools that work.

Lume Box: http://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Aggie Lal's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aggie/
• Aggie Lal’s Book: Biohack Like a Woman https://www.amazon.com/Biohack-Like-Woman-Effortlessly-Superpowers/dp/B0CQQL9129/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3DdPmGFgrkEAKt4ALqmtoTuIdwhTNAA3hrjUO9oxwkvPPZHS2q63lj_IAbtraHIGATy-IHeb63liLuT8ItHm5XxpSMfvxuJTxMrJjEUhpC0.FBRfjur2hCwBRyFv2VWRoy0n47ZoaH_v8ESXsn5mZlQ&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694580820371&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9193094&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11867392511461301490--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11867392511461301490&hvtargid=kwd-1068218537472&hydadcr=22533_13493232&keywords=aggie+lal+book&mcid=9ffb1da8962a36baa3847c0484d8a5fe&qid=1746481798&sr=8-1
• Dr. Brighten’s Prenatal Plus: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/prenatal-plus?srsltid=AfmBOooifgMzU_ukEBAXE-FaEp00cPnyRlLLXVSaQ9rgdodGaUBhohsB&selling_plan=995786786
• Dr. Jolene Brighten’s Book: Is This Normal? https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy

Follow Aggie Lal:

Website: https://higherselfacademy.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aggie/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackingbestie

Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

Grab my free Hormone Friendly Recipes https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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If you’ve been told that the key to thriving in perimenopause or menopause is endless cardio, eating less, or fasting longer—you’ve been sold a myth. In this powerhouse episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Stephanie Estima joins me to bust some of the biggest myths about fitness for menopause, including why traditional approaches often fail and what actually works to support your body, metabolism, and hormones at this stage of life. Whether your goal is to maintain muscle, reduce symptoms, or finally figure out why your workouts aren’t delivering results like they used to, this episode is your essential guide to exercise for menopause belly, metabolism, and strength.

We’re cutting through the noise to bring you practical advice rooted in science, plus the compassionate, no-BS clarity you deserve. If you’ve ever wondered why the same workouts that worked in your 20s no longer cut it—or why strength training for menopause is about so much more than building muscle—this conversation delivers the tools you need to feel strong, energized, and hormonally balanced.

This Episode is Brought to You By: Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription Dr. Brighten Essentials: http://www.drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten If you found this helpful, please like, share, and subscribe—and don’t forget to leave a comment with your biggest takeaway from the episode! Your support helps this message reach more women who deserve evidence-based strategies for hormone health and fitness. Links Mentioned: - Perimenopausal Weight Lose Guide: https://drbrighten.com/plan/ - Related episodes: Perimenopause? How to Lose Weight https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/ Is HRT the Answer? https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/hrt-for-menopause/ What Is Perimenopause? https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-symptoms-solutions-explained/ Follow Stephanie Estima: 💻 Website: https://drstephanieestima.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanie.estima/?hl=en 🟥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrStephanieEstima 🎙️Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-with-dr-stephanie/id1479074542 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

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Testosterone therapy might be all the buzz—but is it actually the best choice for your health, your hormones, and your future fertility? In this powerful episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with top urologist and men’s health expert Dr. Justin Houman to uncover the truth about testosterone, sperm health, erectile dysfunction, and the real risks men aren’t being told before starting hormone therapy. Whether you’re concerned about your partner, your son, your brother—or you’re a man navigating these questions yourself—this episode is packed with essential insights that every family should know.

If you’ve heard that low testosterone is the reason behind every man’s low energy, low libido, or mood swings, this episode might surprise you. We’re breaking down what’s actually going on with men’s hormones today, why more young men are struggling with testosterone and fertility, and what steps can truly optimize hormone health—without jumping straight to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Plus, we discuss the often-overlooked impact of lifestyle, environmental toxins, and medications like hair loss drugs on hormone health and sperm quality.

This Episode is Brought to You By:

Chorus: http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription

Dr. Brighten Essentials: http://www.drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off