best perimenopause supplements

15 Perimenopause Supplements for Happy Hormones

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Libido, Perimenopause/ Menopause

Perimenopause is a time of hormonal decline as the body prepares to stop ovulating and shift into menopause. While ideas of shifting hormones may feel you with a sense of dread, there are many nutrition, lifestyle, and perimenopause supplements that can help you maintain your energy, mood, and overall well being.  Perimenopause can be a confusing time in a woman’s …

what is interstitial cystitis

What Is Interstitial Cystitis?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Autoimmune Disease, Balancing Your Hormones

Interstitial cystitis (also known as Bladder Pain Syndrome) is a chronic condition involving bladder pain that you cannot attribute to another known cause. Interstitial cystitis symptoms include pain in the bladder or urethra, a frequent need to urinate, and sometimes pain throughout the pelvic floor.  Interstitial Cystitis or Bladder Pain Syndrome most commonly affects women but can also affect men. …

magnesium health benefits

Magnesium Benefits: 15 Ways This Mineral Boosts Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Cramps, Food, Headaches & Migraines, Herbs & Supplements, Pregnancy, Thyroid & Hormone Balance

Magnesium is near the top of the list of crucial nutrients. It is the fourth most plentiful mineral in the human body, and it helps with things like your heartbeat, sleep cycles, muscle contraction, energy production, immune function, hormone balance and so much more. When you dig into the research, the magnesium benefits seem endless. Safe to say that getting …

what causes miscarriage

Common Causes and Signs of Miscarriage

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy

Miscarriages are common, which is why it is important for women to know the signs of a miscarriage and when to call their provider. In this article, I’m going to go through the possible causes and types of miscarriage, ways to help minimize risk, and lab tests to request from your doctor if you’ve experienced more than one miscarriage.  If …

perimenopause signs

Perimenopause Symptoms and Treatment

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Perimenopause/ Menopause

You’ve probably heard of menopause, which officially occurs the year after you completely stop having a period. There’s a transition period before menopause that a lot of women experience called perimenopause. This is a time when perimenopause symptoms start to crop up even though you feel like you’re much too young for that nonsense. While some women have a completely …

what is breast implant illness syndrome

What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Autoimmune Disease

Breast implant illness is starting to gain attention in the medical community. Breast implant illness (BII) is the term used to describe symptoms associated with breast implants and can range from joint pain, skin rashes, hair loss, and headaches to chronic fatigue, anxiety, neurological issues, and brain fog. Many women who identify as having BII experience symptoms after having breast …

endometrial hyperplasia treatment

What Causes Endometrial Hyperplasia + What to Do About It

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Endometriosis, Estrogen Dominance

Endometrial hyperplasia can be the cause of heavy periods, large clots in the menstrual blood, and in some cases, cancer. Often excess estrogen in the absence of sufficient progesterone, known as estrogen dominance, causes the cells in the lining of the uterus  (the endometrium) to grow abnormally thick. When the endometrium becomes too thick, you end up with a condition …

sex hormone testing

When Is the Best Time to Test Hormone Levels?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Lab Testing, Menstrual Cycle

I get a ton of questions from women who are confused about their hormones. When you’re trying to figure out why you feel so crappy every month, it can be frustrating trying to get access to the appropriate tests. It can be even more frustrating to suffer terrible symptoms and yet have no diagnosis because your bloodwork comes back “normal.” …

folate vs folic acid

Is Folate the Same As Folic Acid? Which is Better?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Fertility

Chances are, if you’re pregnant (or thinking about becoming pregnant one day) you’ve heard about the importance of folate for healthy pregnancies. Maybe, you’ve heard that folate is just plain good for your health. If so, you’ve probably found yourself staring at bottles of supplements wondering, “is folate the same as folic acid?” It’s true—folate is essential for a healthy pregnancy …