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

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

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 While Breastfeeding: What You Need To Know

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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 body as well. …

morning after pill pregnancy

How Does The Morning-After Pill Work?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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 …

How to Reduce the Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

“I’ve been considering starting hormonal birth control, but I’m concerned about the side effects,” Natasha shared in her first visit. Like many women considering hormonal birth control, she wasn’t ready to start a family and she felt apprehensive that other methods would work for her. “It’s true that just like your natural hormones, synthetic hormones can affect every system in …

birth control guide

The Contraception Guide

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

Information about contraception can make your head spin. There are so many kinds of birth control available today (yay!), and what works for one woman may not work for another. In my work with patients I’ve always advocated for an individualized review of risks and benefits so that each woman can choose the best form of birth control for her …

Does Birth control cause weight gain?

Does Birth Control Cause Weight Gain?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

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 …

pbcs awareness

Post-Birth Control Syndrome Brighten Protocol™

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

We have to honor my patients in the evolution of the post-birth control syndrome Brighten Protocol™. The term Post-Birth Control Syndrome and protocols surrounding it were born out of my naturopathic medical practice and through my work with thousands of patients. Yes, these protocols were developed with the help of real patients like you! I am so happy to share that you …