full moon december 2018 astrology

Embrace Your Moon Cycle

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Mind-Body Leave a Comment

Full moon period or ovulation? Let me know who you are in the comments! This is the last full moon of 2018. And it is a big one! Full moon is here and girl, this is your time to shine! Let that moon turn up the lights like a little Kayne & Rhianna. You know that jam…”turn up the lights …

How Do Birth Control Pills Work

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t told how the pill worked until my final years on it. And what did I care? I just didn’t want painful periods or a baby and the pill promised to deliver on both accounts. But I had to wonder as I entered medical school, “just how do birth control pills work?” And …

anemia and menorrhagia

Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Making You Anemic?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Menstrual Cycle Leave a Comment

Nikki was changing a super tampon and pad every one to two hours when she first came to see me. Even these would fail her on her heaviest days. Beyond the bleeding she was struggling with fatigue, anxiety and hair loss. The reality was, her periods had caused her to become anemic and that anemia was causing her to have …

Sore Breasts: What Causes Breast Tenderness?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Wellbeing Leave a Comment

Do you often suffer from breast tenderness when it’s that time of the month? Do you experience soreness or pain in a specific area of your breasts that keep you from enjoying going out or being active?  You’re not alone. 50% of all women will experience breast pain at some point in their lives, according to the Breast Health Centre. …

Period Gone Missing After the Pill? Here’s What to Do First.

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

Have you been off the pill for 3 months and your period still hasn’t returned? You’re not alone. This is called post-pill amenorrhea and it’s more common than you probably realize. In fact, anywhere from upwards of 3-6% of women can lose their period post pill with studies suggesting that women with a history of irregular periods are at higher …

Do Birth Control Pills Stop Your Period?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

The birth control pill is used for many symptoms and conditions outside of just preventing pregnancy. Some women wonder, does birth control stop periods? It can, but should we really be doing that? When it comes to using the pill to stop periods altogether we need to ask whether it’s a good idea to use tablets to stop your period.  …

How the Menstrual Cycle Works

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Fertility Leave a Comment

It goes without saying that every menstruating woman knows what is happening to her body once a month for most of her adult life… or does she? If you are nodding along but know deep down you feel like you could know more, this blog is for you. Here is how the menstrual cycle works. For many of us, have …