AMH Levels and Fertility

What is AMH and How Does it Impact Fertility?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Endometriosis, Fertility, Preconception & Fertility Leave a Comment

If you are struggling with fertility issues, you’ve probably had your AMH tested, especially if you are over 35. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels give clues about reproductive health, ovarian function, and success with fertility treatments.  This article will cover everything you need to know about AMH levels and fertility. Plus, I’ll cover how to improve AMH levels naturally with nutrition, …

Perimenopause and Intimacy

Potential Impact of Perimenopause on Sexual Health and Intimacy

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Libido, Orgasms, Perimenopause/ Menopause, Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Sex and sexuality are highly individualized, as people have different sex drives and desires. How much sex you want to have and your interest in intimacy is deeply personal. But for many people, sex is essential to well-being, encompassing physical, social, and psychological wellness. With all that said, it can come as a surprise if your feelings towards sex — …

Balance Hormones While Breastfeeding

How to Balance Hormones While Breastfeeding

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Breastfeeding, Postpartum Leave a Comment

The postpartum time is a tumultuous period for women’s hormones, to say the least. You just grew a tiny human, which consumed a lot of your body’s resources. As you heal from delivery and begin nursing, the demands are even higher. Mix in the stress of adjusting to a new routine, having little time for yourself, and sleep deprivation, and …

How Coffee Affects Your Health and Hormones

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Food, Mood & Emotions, PCOS Leave a Comment

The love for coffee runs long and deep for so many of us. I am a coffee lover, too, so I get it. Aside from enjoying the morning ritual, research points to many health benefits of coffee, ranging from brain health to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. These associations appear to stem from coffee’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. …

Perimenopause and Weight Gain

How to Lose Weight During Perimenopause

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Perimenopause/ Menopause, Weight Loss Leave a Comment

Weight gain is a common symptom that women experience during perimenopause. Even when diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors remain the same, the number on the scale and the waist measurement can creep up. This change can feel frustrating, unexpected, and impossible to change.  However, the root of perimenopause weight gain may be in the natural hormonal changes during this …

can you get pregnant during perimenopause

Can I Get Pregnant During Perimenopause?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Fertility, Perimenopause/ Menopause, Preconception & Fertility Leave a Comment

I’ll jump straight to the point: yes, some women can get pregnant during perimenopause, but others will have a hard time becoming or staying pregnant because of. Perimenopause encompasses the years leading up to menopause or the cessation of your period for at least 12 months. During perimenopause, hormonal shifts cause irregular menstrual cycles, making it more difficult to predict …

What Does DHEA do in the Body

What Does DHEA Do And When Should You Take It?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Adrenal, Balancing Your Hormones, Sex Hormones, Sex Hormones, Side Effects Leave a Comment

When talking about cyclical hormones, estrogen is the star of the show, but did you know you need DHEA to make estrogen? DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body and is required for both estrogen and testosterone production.  If DHEA levels are low, you might notice low libido, fatigue, and other symptoms of low sex hormones. Low …

What age does perimenopause start

When Does Perimenopause Start and How Long Does It Last?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Perimenopause/ Menopause Leave a Comment

Perimenopause, the transition between reproductive years and menopause, signifies the beginning of hormonal changes lasting from a few months to several years. While it won’t last forever, it can seem like an eternity if you’re experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, and mood swings.  Even before you reach perimenopause, your body gives you hints that things are …

diet for perimenopause

What is The Best Diet for Perimenopause

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Food, Perimenopause/ Menopause, What to Eat Leave a Comment

As we reach our mid-thirties, a common time for perimenopause to begin, nutrition needs change. Incorporating the specifics of a perimenopause diet is an effective way to create a healthy body composition, reduce age related disease risk, and enable you to have the energy and health you desire. In this article we will cover: The frustrating and sometimes life-altering symptoms …