what makes birth control less effective

What Makes Birth Control Less Effective

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control, Hormonal Birth Control, Side Effects

Many women often wonder if taking supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of their birth control pills. The short answer is that while most supplements do not interfere with birth control, it’s still important to be informed about potential interactions—such as those that can occur when taking medications with birth control. Birth control pills work primarily by flooding the system …

What Causes Rosacea on Face

What Causes Rosacea on Face: Treating Rosacea Naturally

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Acne, Balancing Your Hormones, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Perimenopause/ Menopause, Sex Hormones, The Pill

Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that affects the face and sometimes the eyes, as well. While not a debilitating condition, it can impact an individual’s confidence and mental health when struggling with persistent red, irritated skin. It’s common for rosacea on face, chest, neck, and ears to be associated with anxiety and depression, as we’ll discuss. We’ve known …

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

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 …

Chances of Getting Pregnant With Pre Cum

Chances of Getting Pregnant With Pre-Cum, Does the Pull-Out Method Work?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control, Sexual Health

The pull-out method—aka the withdrawal method or coitus interruptus—has been used at least once by nearly 60 percent of sexually active women1 in the US. It’s a way to (possibly) avoid pregnancy while avoiding hormonal birth control options. But there’s a lot you should know about the pull-out method, especially if you are relying on it as your primary form …

how to treat hormonal acne naturally

Want to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally? Things to Try Before Birth Control

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Acne, Balancing Your Hormones, Post-Birth Control Acne

If you make an appointment to see your doctor about hormonal acne, chances are you’ll leave with a prescription for birth control. Hormonal birth control is a go-to for hormonal acne, but the truth is that it comes with its own set of side effects and it doesn’t always work.. I often get requests from patients, readers and social media …

Birth Control Breastfeeding

Birth Control While Breastfeeding: What You Need To Know

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control

Choosing the right birth control is hard enough. But what about after having a baby and using birth control while breastfeeding? Your post-birth body, your breastmilk, and your baby all need to be considered. It’s not always as easy as just re-starting whatever worked for you previously. This guide will take you through birth control options that may be suitable …

serotonin deficiency symptoms

Serotonin Deficiency – What’s The Risk?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brain Health, Hormonal Birth Control

Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is one of the most talked-about neurotransmitters– molecules that help your nervous system communicate. You may know it as “the happy molecule” because of its role in regulating happiness, anxiety, and mood. The best-known indicators of low serotonin include depression and anxiety, but it plays a larger role in the body1 as well. …

morning after pill pregnancy

How Does The Morning-After Pill Work?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control

The Morning-After Pill or Plan B is a medication that comes with a lot of confusion, including how the morning-after pill works. So, let me clear it up straight out the gate—the morning-after pill works by preventing ovulation. Perhaps the worst part of not knowing how the morning-after pill works is that typically, you have to make a decision about …

birth control mate selection

Can Birth Control Affect Who You’re Attracted To?

Dr. Sarah HillPublished: Birth Control

It is surprising that for as long as we’ve had birth control available to women there is still so much we don’t know about it impacts our body, our relationships, and our overall life. In this guest post by Dr. Sarah Hill, she explains how birth control can affect who you’re attracted to, along with other ways birth control may …