What Causes Heavy Periods & How to Treat Them Naturally

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Menstrual Cycle

“My periods are so heavy I find myself wearing a tampon and pad, but that barely contains it. Using a menstrual cup was a complete failure. I feel hopeless. When I told my doctor I was having heavy bleeding with clots she said birth control was my only option to control the flow, but my husband has a vasectomy and …

The Best Prenatal Vitamins and When to Start Taking Them

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy

When it comes to preconception care, getting pregnant naturally, and having a health pregnancy, taking the best prenatal vitamins is a must. In general, it is recommended that women begin taking a prenatal well in advance of trying to conceive. They’re also often taken by women who aren’t planning on becoming pregnant because they can help create luscious, shiny hair …

Biotin—The Importance of Vitamin B7

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones

Looking for better hair, skin, and nails? Biotin is hands down one of the best nutrients to help with strong nails, healthy skin, and luscious locks. But there is a whole lot more to biotin than just looks.  Biotin (vitamin B7) is one of the eight B vitamins. It is an essential nutrient with myriad functions in the body. Today, …

Does Birth control cause weight gain?

Does Birth Control Cause Weight Gain?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control

Does birth control cause weight gain? It’s a common side effect women report, yet it is often dismissed because the research is largely inconclusive. Concerns about weight gain are one of the highest reported barriers to women choosing to begin birth control and one of the number one reasons women quit it. Wait, if weight gain is a top reason …

Vitex Guide

The Essential Guide to Vitex and the Chaste Tree

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones

Odds are that if you’re struggling with symptoms of hormone imbalance, PMS, PCOS, infertility, endometriosis, irregular periods, missing periods or any other period problem, you’ve heard of vitex. Today, I’ll be talking more about the benefits and potential uses of vitex (also called chasteberry and chaste tree berry). Consider this your guide to understanding if this herb is right for …

Ashwagandha Benefits and Uses

Ashwagandha Benefits and Uses

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has become increasingly popular as more people learn about how herbal medicine can support their health. It has myriad possible benefits, from potentially acting on your body’s inflammatory response, to promoting a healthy brain. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Ashwagandha. What is Ashwagandha? According to WebMD, “Ashwagandha is a plant. The …

endometriosis symptoms

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Endometriosis, Sex Hormones

Endometriosis is a common health issue affecting women—one in ten women have it! And I would say that probably ten out of ten women have been dismissed by their doctor at some point in their journey. Because typically, you go to your doctor with signs and symptoms of endometriosis, and the first thing you’re told is, “Oh, girl, just take …

xenoestrogens homone imbalance

How Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Cause Hormone Imbalance

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance

Did you know the average woman is exposed to hundreds of chemicals every single day? And that’s only within her own home. Our makeup products, personal care products, and the cleaners that we use on our clothes and our countertops can all contain harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals that cause hormone imbalances in the body. In fact, some sources have reported …

Hypothyroidism & the Menstrual Cycle: Thyroid Hormone Affects Your Period

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones

Hypothyroidism and the menstrual cycle are intimately tied. While thyroid hormone isn’t a sex hormone, it does play a role in keeping your period regular. What is Hypothyroidism? According to Medicine Net, Hypothyroidism is a: “Deficiency of thyroid hormone which is normally made by the thyroid gland which is located in the front of the neck”. Hypothyroidism (an under active …