What Causes Endometriosis & Natural Treatments That Help

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Endometriosis, Menstrual Cycle Leave a Comment

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 …

8 Ways to Prevent Holiday Fatigue & Lower Stress

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Adrenal, Sleep, Stress Reduction, Weight Loss Leave a Comment

Do you feel like the holidays might get the best of you and your energy? If preventing holiday fatigue is on your mind, I want to let you know you’re not alone.  Many of my patients share that the holidays are the most stressful time of year for them!  Travel, family, late nights, eating out… It’s easy to see why …

PCOS, Inflammation & Insulin

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: PCOS, Sex Hormones Leave a Comment

What do PCOS, inflammation & insulin have in common? Like many chronic conditions and disease, inflammation and insulin dysregulation are at the root of the issue, with PCOS being no exception. Is there a PCOS insulin resistance connection? In fact, inflammation and insulin resistance can lead to infertility, difficult and painful periods, PCOS, high testosterone, mood disorders, and many other …

hormones and sleep

Which Hormones Affect Sleep? The Hormone-Sleep Connection Explained

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sleep Leave a Comment

Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland of the brain, is most commonly associated with sleep as it helps you both fall asleep and stay asleep. Cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands plays a pivotal role in your ability to wake in the morning. Together, cortisol and melatonin are most closely associated with your sleep-wake cycle, also …

PCOS Hormone Fertility Functional Medicine | Dr. Jolene Brighten | DrBrighten

5 Blood Sugar Balancing Strategies for PCOS

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: PCOS, Sex Hormones Leave a Comment

One of the major characteristics of PCOS and other conditions that cause hormone imbalance is blood sugar dysregulation. This results in surges of high blood sugar followed by deep dips in energy and mood. Blood sugar dysregulation can result in symptoms like irritability, shakiness, and fatigue, or even lightheadedness and nausea. The Blood Sugar Dance Metformin is often recommended for …

Easy Marshmallows Recipe

NatashaPublished: What to Eat Leave a Comment

This is going to be the first Easter my son will “get it.” You know, get it that he’s not going to be eating the same sugary/processed stuff as everyone else. Yes, we are definitely at that age.  I’ve always had ways to navigate food well when he was younger. For example, his school would do bread day and I’d …

Does Stress Affect Your Period?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Menstrual Cycle, Period Leave a Comment

A top question coming in from our readers and patients is, “does stress affect your period?” Right now, the entire world is experiencing an unprecedented amount of stress and periods are getting downright weird. It’s actually normal to have these changes and in this article I will explain: Does Stress Affect Your Period? If you’ve been wondering this too, the …

Star-Spangled Burgers

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: What to Eat Leave a Comment

I pretty much could not resist the opportunity to have fun with cookie cutters and burgers. I had been thinking that my cookie cutters were just collecting dust since my son was diagnosed with an egg sensitivity, among others. These Star Burgers were a fun way to mix it up and my toddler really enjoyed making them with me. If …