If you’ve ever struggled with bloating, brain fog, or unexplained fatigue, you’ve probably wondered: Is it IBS, SIBO, or something else? In this episode of the Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with gut health powerhouse Dr. Carolina Gonzalez to uncover the truth about digestive disorders that are often misdiagnosed. They cut through the noise around parasite cleanses, …
Menopause brain fog is the short-term difficulty with focus, word-finding, and memory that can show up in perimenopause and early postmenopause. It’s driven by estradiol fluctuations, declining progesterone/allopregnanolone (ALLO), and sleep fragmentation from hot flashes. The good news? It’s usually reversible with symptom treatment and daily habit shifts. Listen to this episode for the full brain-chemistry tour and a practical …
Eczema isn’t just a childhood problem — millions of adults struggle with it every day, often feeling stuck between harsh steroid creams and endless elimination diets. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we dive into natural treatments for eczema that go beyond quick fixes. Clinical nutritionist and Healthy Skin Show host Jennifer Fugo joins me to uncover why …
If you’ve ever found yourself saying “yes” when you desperately wanted to say “no,” you’re not alone—especially if you’re a woman living with ADHD. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with ADHD coach and author Meredith Carder to uncover why chronic people pleasing in ADHD women is so common, how it connects to masking, guilt, …
Sjögren’s (often searched as sjogrens) is a systemic autoimmune disease that most often affects women (about ~90% of cases). In the U.S., an estimated 1–4 million people are affected and roughly half are undiagnosed. Classic sjogrens symptoms include multi-site dryness—eyes, mouth, nose/sinuses, skin, and vagina—plus fatigue, body/joint pain, and frequent dental issues; neuro and GI symptoms (brain fog, headaches, neuropathy, …
If your midlife metabolism suddenly stopped playing by the old rules, you’re not imagining it. In this episode, Dr. Brighten breaks down how perimenopause and menopause shift insulin sensitivity, fat distribution, appetite, and recovery and where glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (think semaglutide/Ozempic, Wegovy, liraglutide, tirzepatide as a related incretin therapy) can fit safely alongside hormone therapy, lifting, protein, and …
Does endometriosis go away after menopause? Many women hope so, but the reality is more complex. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with Dr. Melissa McHale to unpack the latest science, surgical risks, and what women truly need to know about navigating endometriosis during perimenopause and menopause. 🎧 Don’t miss this conversation — hit play …
So you finally got your progesterone prescription to help you sleep better, feel calmer, and support your hormones, but instead of feeling better, you’re more anxious, moody, and wide awake at night. You might have progesterone intolerance. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I uncover why some women experience the opposite of the “calming” benefits they’re promised, and …
Are you unknowingly feeding your kids foods that sabotage their gut health, disrupt hormones, and even affect brain performance? In this eye‑opening conversation, I sit down with pediatric functional medicine expert Dr. Elisa Song to uncover the hidden ingredients and environmental exposures shaping your child’s mood, focus, immune health, and long‑term development. From sugar and brain function to delayed puberty …