What You Should Know about Abortions and Women’s Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Pregnancy, Sexual Health Leave a Comment

I hear so many questions about abortions because let’s face it, there’s a whole lot of misinformation out there. If you only listen to the chatter, it’s hard to sort out the actual facts.  And unfortunately, there are many websites that may appear to be educational but are actually providing incorrect, biased, or incomplete information. In this article, I’ll give …

Can Thongs Cause Infections?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Love them or hate them, thongs are famous for keeping us comfy, making some of us feel sexy, and pantyline-free. But do thong underwear really cause infections? Thongs certainly get a bad rap on the topic of vaginal health. While some people have no problems wearing thongs regularly, others might find problems with infections, odors, or itchiness. So which is …

natural lubricants

What to Avoid in a Lube?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Have you ever shopped for a personal lubricant before? The choices can be confusing and overwhelming. There are so many different types and different advantages of each kind of lube. How are you supposed to choose? And what to avoid in a lube can feel confusing too. I’ve decided to do a breakdown of personal lubricants to cut through all …

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How To Increase Serotonin Levels

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Brain Health, Exercise, Libido, Sleep, Stress Reduction Leave a Comment

Serotonin is a key hormone in promoting feelings of happiness and well-being. It plays a role in regulating your digestion, sleep, bones, inflammation, libido, and memory. If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or insomnia, you may want to ask your doctor about a possible serotonin deficiency. You can support your body’s natural happiness hormone by understanding how serotonin …

best perimenopause supplements

15 Perimenopause Supplements for Happy Hormones

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

Perimenopause is a time of hormonal decline as the body prepares to stop ovulating and shift into menopause. While ideas of shifting hormones may feel you with a sense of dread, there are many nutrition, lifestyle, and perimenopause supplements that can help you maintain your energy, mood, and overall well being.  Perimenopause can be a confusing time in a woman’s …

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Quarantined with an Abuser: 6 Ways to Stay Safe

Sarita HartzPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

This guest post on how to stay safe in quarantine with an abuser is by Sarita Hartz, who worked as a Victim Advocate Counselor at Tu Casa Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center. She and I are both currently in quarantine in one of the only places in the US to currently have a legal mandate, which is why we are …

vaginal discharge normal

The Truth About Vaginal Discharge and Odor

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Can we talk about vaginal discharge for a minute? It’s a fact: Many people are still uncomfortable talking about basic female anatomy, including the vagina. And perhaps even more taboo is the topic of vaginal discharge or, heaven forbid, odor.  While we’ve come a long way from the days of using Lysol or Coca-Cola as a douche, reliable, accurate information …

pain with sex

Why Does Sex Hurt? 14 Causes of Pain with Sex

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

In a perfect world, all sex would be consensual and enjoyable, all parties involved would be in the mood at the same time, and everyone would have a great experience. As a naturopathic physician working in women’s health, I am no stranger to the question, “why does sex hurt?” And neither are a large percentage of women. Research indicates, for …