How to Boost Low Sex Drive After Stopping The Birth Control Pill

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control

It’s no secret the pill can snuff out that special spark while you’re on it, but many women who discontinue the pill find their low sex drive remains and go looking for solutions on how to increase sex drive. This was Megan’s story. She found her way to my clinic after reading my Post Birth Control Syndrome (PBCS) article and …

What is Estrogen Dominance, and What to Do About It

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones

Estrogen dominance is one of the most common issues that I see in my practice, especially in women in their late 30s and beyond. It can develop for various reasons: age, excess body fat, exposure to hormone mimicking chemicals in your environment, poor digestion, stress, adrenal issues, and even autoimmune conditions.  The good news is, there are ways to get …

Is Iodine Bad for Hypothyroidism?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance

What is the iodine hypothyroidism connection? ‘Is iodine bad for hypothyroidism?’ This is among the most common questions I am asked by my patients. While it is true that your thyroid requires iodine to make thyroid hormone, too much iodine can harm certain individuals. In this video, I review who should be careful about taking iodine and what foods best …

Period Gone Missing After the Pill? Here’s What to Do First.

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control

Have you been off the pill for 3 months and your period still hasn’t returned? You’re not alone. This is called post-pill amenorrhea and it’s more common than you probably realize. In fact, anywhere from upwards of 3-6% of women can lose their period post pill with studies suggesting that women with a history of irregular periods are at higher …

5 Ways For Healing Leaky Gut

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance

You may have heard that leaky gut syndrome is why you developed hypothyroidism in the first place. Leaky gut syndrome is involved in the development of hypothyroidism or more specifically, autoimmune hypothyroidism  (Hashimoto’s) in the majority of cases. Here are those connections and 5 ways for healing leaky gut! Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the number one cause of hypothyroidism in the …

What Causes Endometriosis & Natural Treatments That Help

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Endometriosis, Menstrual Cycle

Endometriosis is a very common condition for many women. In fact, it’s estimated that 200 million people worldwide are living with this condition. Here, we’ll discuss the condition, how it works and the symptoms you can expect. But we’ll also go further and look at natural treatments for endometriosis. What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial-like tissue in …

10 Top Foods for Thyroid Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance

Whether you are Hypothyroid or Hyperthyroid, this list of 10 top foods for thyroid health has got you covered! In my clinic, we like to focus on what you CAN eat, rather than all the foods you should be avoiding. And while there are certainly plenty of foods you should be avoiding if you have hypothyroidism, I want to encourage …

Healing Anxiety with Functional Medicine

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones

Anxiety is common enough that I’d venture to guess you at least know someone who has dealt with it, or maybe still is dealing with it. Or maybe that someone is you and you’re trying to understand if there is any chance of healing your anxiety. Functional medicine may just be that step for you. The conventional perspective on anxiety …

20 Natural Remedies for Hormonal Headaches & Migraines

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Wellbeing

Ladies, there are natural remedies for migraines and hormonal headaches and today I want to share them with you some of the most effective strategies to be free of pain meds and headaches! Acetaminophen—a well-known hepatotoxin… wait, Hepata, what?   Hepatotoxin is the term for substances that are toxic to the liver and acetaminophen is among the worst when it …