About Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a prominent leader in women’s medicine and the emerging science of Post-Birth Control Syndrome — studying the effects of hormonal birth control on female health. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones. She is an international speaker, clinical educator, medical advisor within the tech community, and considered a leading authority on women’s health. Dr. Brighten is also part of the MindBodyGreen Collective and a faculty member for the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine. Her work has been featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian, and ABC News.

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Get to Know Dr. Jolene Brighten

Hi! I’m Dr. Jolene Brighten, naturopathic physician, best-selling author, and a leader in women's health.
I believe in combining the best of what science offers with the body’s own ability to heal.
Yes, I’m a complete nerd who loves research, data, and the scientific method so much that I have degrees in chemistry, nutrition science, and clinical nutrition — and then went on to receive a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. But I also believe that the human body has a wisdom that science can’t quite explain.

It’s why I continue my education with the Institute of Functional Medicine, The Academy for Advanced Aging, and Yale University courses. You see, the practice of naturopathic and functional medicine discovers and treats the root cause of illness, rather than simply treating symptoms. As a provider, I recognize that pharmaceuticals have therapeutic benefit and aim to leverage the best of medical options for the individual patient, which includes prescriptions for diet, lifestyle, and pharmaceutical strategies where needed.

And this is exactly where my passion lies.
I believe in putting the medicine in women’s hands and enabling them to heal.
It has always been my clinical motto that I don’t heal my patients, I teach them to heal themselves.
Because at the end of the day, healing rarely happens in the doctor’s office. True healing happens through the daily choices you make—what you put at the end of your fork, the community you build, the words you speak to yourself, the thoughts your create.
Yes, you truly have the power to heal and my job is to show you how.

Creating flawless reproductive health for women

I’m no stranger to hormone imbalance, period problems, autoimmune disease, or gut issues.

My own difficult health journey:

  • Completely exhausted
  • Anxious
  • With long, heavy, painful periods
  • Battling wicked PMS
  • Hiding my acne
I personally spent 10 years on the pill and was so very grateful to see my painful, heavy periods disappear. It also enabled me to become a first-generation college graduate. And while I’m incredibly thankful for access to birth control, there was a whole lot I wish my doctor had told me about the side effects and the hormonal fallout that came along with ditching the pill.
I thought I was alone. I thought I was the only one. And I thought there must be something wrong with me if breaking up with birth control was that difficult.
But then, in my clinical practice, I began observing that I wasn’t the only one. In fact, the majority of my patients were struggling with the same symptoms coming off of birth control.
As a woman, I was no stranger to the debilitating conditions that can accompany hormonal imbalances.
But as a doctor, I was completely transformed by my patient’s experiences and by the injustices I witnessed as women relayed their stories to me of having symptoms dismissed again and again by the medical community.
If you’ve ever doubted it, let me be the one to tell you—your symptoms are not in your head and you are the only one living in your body, which means you’re the only one that knows what your normal is.
My clinical experience and roots in science have aided me in recognizing and advocating for women experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, birth control related side effects, and Post-Birth Control Syndrome.
And then I set to work developing ground-breaking protocols to heal hormonal imbalances so that women could live their lives without feeling like their reproductive health was a mystery or torture to be tolerated month after month.
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I’ve supported thousands of women in being able to:

  • Regain their energy
  • Banish PMS completely
  • Get rid of brain fog
  • Clear up acne
  • Heal PCOS
  • Reverse autoimmune disease
  • Alleviate digestive disorders
  • Find their lost libido
  • Kiss depression goodbye
  • Become pregnant after years of struggling
  • And truly fix their hormones without relying on hormonal birth control
It’s the most rewarding experience I can imagine and I’m so blessed to witness these transformations every day.
And just to be clear — I’m not anti-birth control. I’m pro-education.
I believe women should be informed about every aspect of their reproductive health so that they can make the best decisions to support their bodies.
And I believe we can simultaneously advocate for access, education, and advancements in women’s health.
My passion is helping women understand the body they live in.
After all, you shouldn’t have to go to medical school to understand how your hormones, your menstrual cycle or your body works.
I also support women who are looking to transition off of birth-control, and those who want to stay on hormonal contraceptives without the long-term consequences.
My job is to educate you in making the best decision for yourself and then support you in that decision.

Can I help you too?

While I’d love the opportunity to meet each and every one of you in my clinic, I know that’s not going to be possible for the many women around the world who are part of my community.
That’s why I’ve created tools, books, and programs so women everywhere can have access to the information they’re not being given anywhere else.
My mission is to give you all of the resources you need to so you can take control of your hormones and health. I teach women how to build the user manual their body should have came with.
In my most recent book, Beyond the Pill, I walk you through the steps needed to figure out your particular hormonal imbalance and offer guidance on my signature protocols to get you on your way to a healthy cycle, quickly.
I also offer several self-study programs that walk you through step-by-step how to heal your hormones and feel amazing in your body again without synthetic birth control.
Don’t have a doc that offers access to cutting-edge lab testing that your intuition is telling you that you need? I can help you finally get the answers you’ve been searching for.
And my wildly popular hormone starter kit is a completely free way to jump-start your healing process.
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In case you can’t tell, I’m incredibly passionate about women’s reproductive health and educating as many as I can. So much so, that I’ve been featured as an expert on over 125 podcast episodes (and counting!)
You can find me on prominent podcasts like The Jordan Harbinger Show, Impact Theory's Health Theory with Tom Bilyeu, The Model Health Show with Shawn Stevenson, Bulletproof Radio with Dave Asprey, H.E.A.L. with celebrity chef and television host Pete Evans, Mommies Tell All with Carly Waddell and Jade Roper, and the top rated health podcast, Mind Pump.
I’ve also created drbrighten.com articles to be the most well-researched, thorough resource for women’s health on the entire internet. And we write everyone in response to the questions readers ask most! You can browse some of my articles here:

Women's Health

Common conditions, STIs and general advice

Nutrition

A compilation of nutrient profiles and hormone balancing foods

Contraception

Options, information, and side effects

Hormone Imbalances

Estrogen, progesterone, everything in between
I write these articles to empower women so they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health. If it’s your first time here, you may want to check out some of my more popular posts:
You can also use the search function in my articles to search for any topic you’re interested in.
Every day, I see women who have traded their health struggles for triumph — and I want that for you too.

Can I help you too?

I’ve crafted every resource on my website specifically for you — so you can take control of your hormones and health.
Women have called drbrighten.com “The Google of Women’s Health” because of the extensive information provided here.
If you’d like to keep learning, hop on my mailing list to receive regular updates when I post new articles and make new breakthroughs in female reproductive health. This is the insider’s access to all the behind the scenes hormone action.
It’s the best way to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
And you can grab your free copy of my Post-Birth Control Detox Diet when you join, as well.
It really is possible to live a life free from the chains of hormonal imbalances and side effects of synthetic hormonal contraception...I’d love to guide you on your journey to discovering your own power and blissful health.
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Dr. Brighten's Author Bio

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Dr. Jolene Brighten is a Functional Medicine Naturopathic Physician and the founder of Rubus Health, a women’s medical clinic with emphasis in endocrine health (hormones). She is recognized as a leading expert in Post-Birth Control Syndrome, and the side effects associated with hormonal contraceptives. Dr. Brighten is the best-selling author of Beyond the Pill and Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth: The New Mom’s Guide to Navigating the Fourth Trimester. She is also an international speaker and a member of the MindBodyGreen Collective. Her work has been featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian and ABC News. When she’s not educating the world on female reproductive health, she can be found hiking and gardening in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, son, and Scout the little dog.

Testimonials: What Patients Love About Working With Dr. Brighten

“This information is SO needed, even if you've never taken birth control! She explains hormones in such great, big picture ways. It's so refreshing to see things from a nutritional standpoint instead of purely medical and how it's ALL related! She GETS it! 2 weeks into the protocol, my inflammation was down so much I could wear my wedding rings again after almost 7 months without them! 🙌”- Kelsey Whitener
I have completed the 30 day detox and am currently bringing back in foods that were eliminated from the elimination diet. Everything went better than expected and I don't regret a thing! I would suggest taking some time to plan ahead so you are well prepared to make the meals and stay on track with the diet plan. With the increasing popularity of "counting macros", don't be afraid of eating more and increasing the amount of fats consumed. I kept my same workout routine and didn't put on any weight. I feel great!” - Rebecca Bush
I’ve seen many naturopaths, but have never had someone explains so much to me. She really wants her patients to get better and to feel they healed themselves. I just love how she talks to me like I’m a friend and doesn’t make me feel bad for not being perfect all the time. ~P.S.
“I can't say enough good things about this book! I read it so quickly and it blew my mind. I could relate to many sections, which sparked my motivation and confidence to quit the pill and to do the Brighten Detox Protocol. This book would be enlightening to any woman on birth control or not. It is full of useful information and easy to understand explanations on how menstrual cycles/hormones actually work. Dr. Brighten shares countless tips on which foods can help mitigate symptoms of off-balance hormones and cycles and so many delicious recipes (some surprisingly delicious ones too). She also goes over supplements that may be helpful to add in coordination with the diet changes; but she does encourage a "food-first" approach. I also love all of the little quizzes to go along with each section of the book to help lead you in the right direction for what might be causing you any issues and where you can try to make improvements."
After years of experiencing PMS, anxiety and terrible stomach aches, I finally have relief after only a couple of visits with Dr. Brighten. I am no longer feeling anxious and I can finally spend my weekends out with my friends, instead of home with a stomach ache. ~A.L.
My adrenals were shot after having a baby! Only, I didn’t know it because no one thought to check. My doctor told me nothing was wrong, which is why I decided to see Dr. Brighten. She figured it out and helped me get back to feeling like me. I am incredibly grateful for her support and for helping me get my energy back. My husband thanks her because I no longer scream or cry on a daily basis. ~A.S.

Dr. Brighten: Leading women’s health innovator

Dr. Brighten serves her patients with not only a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine, but also degrees in chemistry, nutrition science, and clinical nutrition from California Polytechnic State University.
Dr. Brighten is also a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
As a thought leader, she has received and been nominated for numerous awards. In 2019, she was nominated for Author of the Year for Beyond the Pill and Health Influencer. In 2018, she was nominated for the Rising Tide Award, Innovator Award, and Health Influencer Award. In 2017, she was nominated for the Leading Health Innovator Award, and her blog was recognized as the Best Women’s Health Blog of the year. And in 2014 & 2015, she was named the Best General Practitioner by Oakland Magazine.
Dr. Brighten has been featured in several documentaries including The Human Longevity Project, Broken Brain 2, The Thyroid Secret, Love is Medicine, and Digestion SOS™ Docuseries.
As an international speaker, she has shared the stage with Ricki Lake, Abby Epstein, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, Dave Asprey, JJ Virgin, Dr. Anthony Youn, Dr. Mark Hyman, Kara Goldin, Robbe Richman. She has spoken at A4M, Designs for Health, and various women’s health focused conferences.
Dr. Brighten has provided integrative residency opportunities within her clinic for licensed providers. She also continues her mentorship supporting clinicians of varying backgrounds in the advancement of women’s medicine, including MD, DO, RD, ND/NMD, DPT, DC, DNP, NP, and other medical professionals.

Dr. Brighten: Female Hormone Focus

After treating thousands of women over the years, Dr. Brighten has developed a well-deserved reputation for being thorough, innovative, and intuitive. Through her clinical practice, she’s amassed expertise in the developing field of Post-Birth Control Syndrome. Her latest best-selling book, Beyond the Pill, offers women around the globe the opportunity to take advantage of her cutting-edge protocols designed to alleviate various hormonal imbalances.
Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their hormones and health.

Dr. Brighten Reviews: What Health Experts, Physicians, and Influencers Say

"An innovative approach to women's hormone health! You do not need to depend on hormonal birth control to optimize your hormones. You can begin to transform your hormones and live a better life with the protocols in Beyond the Pill." - Amy Myers MD
"Dr. Brighten's comprehensive patient guide details the long term side effects and consequences that come with popping that daily pill. I highly recommend you read Beyond the Pill if you're considering starting birth control or have already been prescribed it. As a holistic psychiatrist, I have first hand witnessed the detrimental effects to the pill and recommend all women struggling with anxiety, depression or other mood symptoms grab a copy of this book to understand the role birth control has played in their mental health concerns." - Dr. Kelly Brogan, MD
"What Dr. Brighten has created in Beyond the Pill is a guide for all women! Whether you're on the pill, recently off of it, or off of it for many years, the tools and information in this book will guide you through transforming your health, step by step. When women ask me where to turn for healthy hormone support, I always recommend Dr. Brighten's work, and I am thrilled to have this new book of hers to share. This is now the go-to resource that women will use to take back their hormonal health." - Diane Sanfilippo, Certified Nutrition Consultant and New York Times Best Selling author of Practical Paleo, The 21-Day Sugar Detox, and Keto Quick Start
"Women with PCOS are prescribed the pill at a higher rate without any explanation as to what this will do their body and their health. As a PCOS advocate, I highly recommend Beyond the Pill if you're considering taking birth control or transitioning off. Dr. Brighten has provided the most comprehensive patient guide regarding birth control. Before you start, continue, or stop birth control you need to read this book." - Dr. Fiona McCulloch, Best Selling Author of 8 Steps to Reverse PCOS
"Dr. Brighten’s book Beyond the Pill is a beacon of hope for every woman searching for a way off hormonal birth control. Written by a doctor who really knows her stuff, it's a must-read in this important time of change for women's health." - Dr. Lara Briden, Best Selling Author of Period Repair Manual
"Beyond the Pill is THE book to detail the impact of hormonal birth control on women. Every woman must read this if and when she uses birth control. The consequences are too great if not read. Protect your future child - and your own health. Read this book!" - Dr. Ben Lynch, Best Selling author of Dirty Genes
"Beyond the Pill is an extraordinary 30 day program for your period, mood, fertility and missing libido. Dr. Jolene Brighten is leading the way in women’s medicine with her innovative approach to hormones and getting off of birth control. This is a must read for every woman!" - Dana Trentini, MA, EdM, Founder of Hypothyroid Mom
"In Beyond the Pill, Dr. Brighten provides a critical message for women in the modern world- there are real side effects to the options we’re being given by most medical professionals and these methods don’t fix the cause of the symptoms. This detailed work unpacks the problems with hormonal birth control and gives women real and actionable ways to help their bodies recover and thrive!" - Katie Wells, Founder of WellnessMama.com
"Dr. Jolene Brighten is my go to expert for anything related to women’s hormones! Beyond the Pill provides insight and much needed solutions to common issues women on hormonal birth control face. Her chapter on thyroid health details the impact of birth control, along with the exact steps women need to take in order to restore their thyroid health. I highly recommend reading this book if you're on birth control or considering starting." - Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP, Pharmacist
"All women need to read this book and if you're a man who cares about women, you'll recommend this book to them. Hormonal birth control is harmful to women's brains, mitochondria, fertility and health! Dr. Jolene Brighten groundbreaking protocol guides you in understanding natural ways to address your hormone symptoms and how to safely transition off of birth control." - Dave Asprey, Author of the New York Times Best Seller, The Bulletproof Diet
"I personally had Post Birth Control Syndrome years ago after the removal of my IUD. I wish I had had the informative and enlightening information that Dr. Brighten provides on hormones. Beyond the Pill is a groundbreaking source for women to look beyond what mainstream medicine provides as answers to hormonal problems. I wish conventionally trained MDs, like myself, had access to this information in school, which in my opinion, can save women so many chronic health issues." - Jessica Peatross, MD, Gerson Therapist
"If you or a loved one has taken oral contraceptives, please read Beyond the Pill immediately. Dr. Brighten has single handedly created awareness of the profound effects contraceptives can have on your health. One of the biggest shockers is the fact that these effects can go on for years after you took your last pill. Dr. Brighten helps you see how the pill may have impacted your symptoms and how you can take safe steps today to reclaim your health." - Dr. Alan Christianson, New York Times Best Selling author of The Adrenal Reset Diet and The Metabolism Reset Diet
"This is the book I wish I had 5 years ago when I was contemplating coming off birth control. Dr. Brighten’s signature blend of smart, savvy advice plus a dash of sass is the answer to your question, ‘What is there for me beyond the pill?" - Steph Gaudreau, NTP, Author of Performance Paleo
"This book is paramount for any woman who wants to take back control of her hormone and whole body health. As a functional medicine practitioner, I have seen the havoc birth control pills can wreak on a women's health with little to no guidance given for long term wellness. Dr. Brighten steps up with this stellar, practical guide and takes the guesswork out by delivering an easy to follow 30 day protocol to start reclaiming your health." - Dr. Will Cole, Leading functional medicine expert, author of Ketotarian
"Life after birth control does not need to be complete hormonal hell of feeling exhausted, breaking out, gaining weight uncontrollably, or losing your libido for good. Dr. Brighten gives you the exact, easy to follow steps to recover your body, reclaim your hormones and get back to your normal." - JJ VIRGIN