The Dr. Brighten Show

If you’ve ever asked yourself, Why am I so tired when I’m doing everything right? — this episode is for you. From clean eating and HIIT workouts to supplements and sleep tracking, many women are doing “all the things” and still waking up exhausted, crashing mid-afternoon, and lying awake at night unable to wind down. The missing piece may not be discipline, motivation, or another wellness hack — it may be that you’re trying to increase energy in a way that doesn’t match your body. In this conversation, we explore a powerful framework: energy archetypes. Instead of generic advice like “just rest more” or “just push harder,” you’ll learn how your unique pattern of depletion determines what actually restores you. Drawing from Ayurveda, behavior change science, and modern physiology, we break down the three core energy archetypes and how to work with your nervous system — not against it. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials  Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase. Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Hadlee Garrison’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhealthyhadlee/ Hadlee Garrison’s Website: https://www.happyhealthyhadlee.com/ Hadlee Garrison’s energy quiz: https://hadlee.kit.com/energyquiz Schedule a discovery session with Hadlee: https://calendly.com/hadlee/healthgoalssession 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve noticed a shift in your desire for intimacy in midlife, you’re not alone—and it’s not simply a hormone problem. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with relationship and intimacy expert Emily Morse for a candid, clinically grounded conversation about why so many women experience changes in connection, closeness, and physical responsiveness during perimenopause. Rather than defaulting to the oversimplified explanation that estrogen decline is to blame, this discussion explores the deeper drivers of desire: stress physiology, sleep disruption, emotional safety, relationship dynamics, and nervous system overload. For many women, perimenopause becomes the moment when long-standing issues around intimacy finally surface—not because something broke, but because the body and brain are no longer willing to override unmet needs. In this episode, you’ll learn why desire is not a switch you flip, why fixing hormones alone often isn’t enough, and how midlife can become a powerful turning point toward more fulfilling connection—if you understand what your body is actually asking for. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials  Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com Coconu Want body-safe, hormone-friendly intimacy products you can trust? 🥥 At Coconu, everything is made with organic, plant-based ingredients and free from hormone disruptors, harsh chemicals, and synthetic additives. From luxurious lubricants to intimate essentials, Coconu is designed to support comfort, confidence, and connection — helping you feel your best in your most personal moments. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code DRBRIGHTEN15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Shop now https://coconu.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooMIqrz83hshHQKhKgBI10ExK2Q2Erh3DUCLJ-BTwC79XgO4WrL LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase. Find Emily Morse Emily Morse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexwithemily/ Emily Morse’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexwithemily Emily Morse’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sexwithemily Emily Morse’s Website: https://sexwithemily.com/read/ 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Testosterone is having a moment—but much of what women are being told about it is incomplete, oversimplified, or outright misleading. If you’ve been told testosterone is only about libido, or that your fatigue, emotional flatness, loss of motivation, or inability to build muscle is just “getting older,” this episode challenges that narrative. In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down what testosterone actually does in women’s bodies during perimenopause, why symptoms matter as much as labs, and how poorly matched hormone therapy can lead to side effects that leave women feeling worse instead of better. This episode is a deep dive into testosterone hormone therapy in perimenopause, designed to help women—and clinicians—understand how to evaluate symptoms, interpret labs with nuance, and choose treatment approaches that respect the entire hormone system. Rather than pushing testosterone as a cure-all, this episode lays out when it helps, when it harms, and why careful dosing, delivery method, and monitoring are essential. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind — a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind Sunlighten Saunas — Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now http://drbrighten.com/lumeboxuse code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re trying to conceive and wondering how to get pregnant faster, you’re likely being flooded with advice that ranges from tracking ovulation to “just relaxing” or jumping straight to IVF. What’s often missing from these conversations is a deeper understanding of preconception health—the biological groundwork that determines whether conception is easy, delayed, or doesn’t happen at all. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Anna Shippy to unpack why fertility challenges are rarely random and why the body often sends signals long before a pregnancy test turns positive. Together, they explore how inflammation, environmental toxins, nutrient status, gut health, and—critically—men’s health and sperm quality all shape fertility outcomes. This conversation reframes infertility not as a failure, but as a check-engine light—a sign that the body may not yet be in an optimal state to support conception, pregnancy, or a healthy baby. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Prenatal Plus — a science-backed prenatal that is designed to support women through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Prenatal Plus is thoughtfully formulated with active B vitamins, well-absorbed nutrients like methylated folate, iron, iodine, and essential minerals to help support energy, hormone health, and healthy development. This vegan, non-GMO, and third-party tested formula is designed to support your body through every stage of motherhood. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/prenatal-plus Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase. Find Ann Shippy  Ann Shippy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annshippymd/  Ann Shippy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnShippyMD/ Ann Shippy's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/annshippymd Ann Shippy’s Book: The Preconception Revolution https://amzn.to/4kfj1w9 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Low energy. Vanishing libido. Brain fog that makes you feel like you’re pushing through mud. Muscle that refuses to build no matter how hard you train. If you’ve ever been told this is “just stress,” “just aging,” or worse—all in your head—this episode is for you. In this powerful, no-fluff conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down how to boost testosterone naturally in women by unpacking the real, research-backed reasons testosterone drops—and exactly what to do about it. This episode goes far beyond surface-level hormone talk. You’ll learn why low testosterone is far more common in women than most clinicians acknowledge, how modern life quietly sabotages androgen production, and why symptoms like low motivation, poor resilience, loss of orgasms, and difficulty setting boundaries are biochemical—not psychological. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with specific, evidence-based strategies you can start implementing today to support testosterone production, signaling, and receptor function—whether or not hormone therapy is part of your future plan. This episode is brought to you by: Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase. Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family. Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription) Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For generations, women have been told that healthy aging comes down to eating less, doing more cardio, and staying “small.” But in this powerful conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon challenges that narrative with a biologically grounded truth: muscle is one of the most critical and most neglected determinants of women’s longevity. Strength training for women isn’t about aesthetics or athleticism. It’s about preserving metabolic health, protecting the brain, maintaining independence, supporting hormone transitions, and reducing the risk of nearly every chronic disease associated with aging. In this episode, muscle is reframed not as optional fitness tissue, but as a vital organ system that determines how well women live in midlife and beyond. If you’ve ever been told that weight gain, fatigue, insulin resistance, or physical decline are “just part of aging,” this episode explains why that belief is outdated—and what actually moves the needle. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant. Sunlighten Saunas —Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LMNT Electrolytes —Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase. Where to Find Dr. Gabrielle Lyon  Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon Order FOREVER STRONG: https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong/ Order THE FOREVER STRONG PLAYBOOK: https://drgabriellelyon.com/playbook/ 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever wondered why your ADHD feels manageable one week and completely unhinged the next—why your medication suddenly feels useless, your focus evaporates, your emotions feel impossible to regulate, and even simple tasks like making dinner feel overwhelming—this episode was made for you. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down what a major scientific review confirms: ADHD symptoms in women do not remain stable across the menstrual cycle. Instead, attention, executive function, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and even medication response shift predictably in response to cyclical hormone changes. And for women with ADHD—especially those with PMS or PMDD—these shifts are often dramatic, disabling, and consistently dismissed. Drawing from nearly a decade of research, this episode explains exactly how your periods affect your ADHD, why progesterone can feel like your brain’s kryptonite, and what women and clinicians need to understand to finally stop gaslighting ADHD symptoms in women. If your ADHD feels unpredictable from week to week, this episode will finally explain why. Visit the episode webpage to see all links and sources mentioned in this podcast https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-the-menstrual-cycle/ This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/ Sunlighten Saunas Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family. Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription) Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When your ADHD sex drive doesn’t match what you “think it should,” it’s easy to assume something is wrong with you—or that you’ve fallen out of love. But in this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Leann Borneman to unpack a radically different truth: for many women with ADHD (and many women in perimenopause), the problem often isn’t a lack of desire—it’s a lack of access to desire. If you’ve ever wanted intimacy… but your brain felt overloaded, your body felt “nope,” or you couldn’t even figure out how to start, this conversation will feel like someone finally turned the lights on. In this episode, you’ll learn why spontaneous desire is largely a myth, how executive function can quietly “gatekeep” intimacy, why common advice like “schedule sex” can backfire hard for neurodivergent women, and what to do instead. You’ll also hear why lube can be a relationship-saving tool (not a failure), how sensory issues can shut down arousal without you realizing it, what ADHD medication can change (in both directions), and why certain structured intimacy frameworks—including ethical kink and BDSM—can be uniquely supportive for ADHD brains because they combine novelty + safety. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials  Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com Coconu Want body-safe, hormone-friendly intimacy products you can trust? 🥥 At Coconu, everything is made with organic, plant-based ingredients and free from hormone disruptors, harsh chemicals, and synthetic additives. From luxurious lubricants to intimate essentials, Coconu is designed to support comfort, confidence, and connection — helping you feel your best in your most personal moments. Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code DRBRIGHTEN15 at checkout for 15% off your order. Shop now https://coconu.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooMIqrz83hshHQKhKgBI10ExK2Q2Erh3DUCLJ-BTwC79XgO4WrL Connect with Leann Leann Bourneman’s Tik Tok: @bournemanpsycotherapy Leann Bourneman;s Instagram: @bournemanpsycotherapy Leann Bourneman’s Website: bournemancoaching.com 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you feel like your ADHD symptoms exploded in your late 30s or early 40s—your focus vanished, your sleep fell apart, your body started hurting, and your brain felt like it stopped working—you are not imagining it. And you are not failing. This episode explains why perimenopause is worse for women with ADHD, why it often begins years earlier than most doctors recognize, and why ADHD women experience a more severe, full-body symptom burden during this transition. Far from being “just stress” or “just anxiety,” the experience of ADHD and perimenopause is a neuroendocrine brain-body collision that modern medicine is largely unprepared to address. Grounded in a large population-based study and real clinical patterns, this episode reframes perimenopause as a critical neurological and hormonal transition, especially for women with ADHD, and explains why so many women feel blindsided, dismissed, and misdiagnosed during this stage of life. This Episode Is Brought to You By: Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/  OneSkin  Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health. Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, dietary fiber has been framed as one thing: something you need “to stay regular.” But in this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with registered dietitian Gabrielle Palmeri to unpack why that narrative is dangerously incomplete—especially for women. This conversation reframes fiber as a metabolic, hormonal, and immune regulator, not a digestive afterthought. The episode explores why most people feel worse when they first increase fiber, how diet culture has distorted the conversation, and why avoiding fiber long-term can quietly sabotage gut health, estrogen metabolism, blood sugar, and inflammation. If you’ve ever wondered what is a high fiber diet, whether fiber is really necessary, or why “healthy eating” sometimes makes you feel worse, this episode provides the missing context. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Women’s Probiotic https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic?selling_plan=995917858 is formulated to support healthy digestion, vaginal microbiome balance, and everyday immune function—simple, daily care for women.A balanced microbiome is foundational for feeling your best—from digestion to confidence. Quality you can trust: third-party tested; manufactured in a cGMP facility Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% offf your order Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/ Sunlighten Saunas Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Fygg — a dentist-developed oral care brand on a mission to “Feed Your Good Guys.” Fygg makes science-backed, microbiome-friendly oral care products — like fluoride-free toothpaste and remineralizing varnish — that support a balanced oral microbiome without harsh chemicals, foam, or unnecessary ingredients. Developed by dentists and grounded in research, Fygg helps strengthen enamel, maintain oral health, and promote a healthier mouth for the whole family. Use code DRBRIGHTEN for 15% off of their products (both one-time and subscription) Shop now https://fygg.sjv.io/ragbBv Connect with Gabrielle Website (with Fiber Guide & Private Community): https://stan.store/dietitiangabrielle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.gabrielle/?hl=en Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dietitian.gabrielle?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89lIEaRwW9dL8BftTzK2Tg Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dietitian.gabrielle 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re experiencing weight gain that feels sudden, unexplained, and resistant to everything that used to work—especially after age 35—you are not alone. For many women, weight gain in perimenopause begins years before menopause is ever mentioned in a doctor’s office. Alongside changes in weight, sleep often deteriorates, anxiety increases, cravings feel harder to control, and energy becomes unpredictable. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the real hormonal mechanisms behind weight gain in perimenopause over 35—and why this phase of life requires an entirely different approach than “eat less and move more.” This conversation focuses on the biological changes happening beneath the surface, how hormones like progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones interact, and what women can do to support their metabolism, sleep, and overall health during this transition. This is not about willpower. It’s about physiology. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind — a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind Sunlighten Saunas — Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weight loss has always been a loaded topic, but in the era of Ozempic, it has become even more polarized. For some, GLP-1 medications feel like a long-overdue breakthrough. For others, they trigger fear, shame, or moral judgment. And for many women, they come with unexpected side effects, confusing outcomes, and the unsettling realization that losing weight doesn’t always mean feeling better. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with registered dietitian and nutrition expert Ashley Koff for a nuanced, science-forward conversation about weight loss and Ozempic—one that goes far beyond the scale. Together, they explore why weight loss alone is a flawed goal, what GLP-1 medications actually reveal about human physiology, and why women are being disproportionately affected by oversimplified approaches to metabolic health. If you’ve ever wondered why weight loss feels harder than it “should,” why Ozempic works for some people but not others, or why your labs can look normal while your body feels anything but—this episode offers clarity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hormone replacement therapy for menopause has been one of the most misunderstood and fear-driven topics in women’s health. For years, women were warned away from hormone therapy based on a black box warning that failed to reflect how hormones are prescribed today, who benefits most, and when therapy is most effective. The recent decision by the FDA to remove the black box warning from certain menopausal hormone therapies has reignited questions, confusion, and concern. This episode of The Dr. Brighten Show—Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause: What the FDA’s Black Box Removal Really Means for Women—explains what hormone replacement therapy for menopause actually is, why the warning existed in the first place, what changed, what didn’t, and how women can make evidence-based decisions grounded in modern science rather than outdated fear. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant. Sunlighten Saunas Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is estrogen cream for the face really the new holy grail of anti-aging—or is it another skincare trend overselling its promise? In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the biology behind estrogen and skin aging, why women’s skin often changes rapidly after 35, and what clinical studies actually show about using topical estrogen on the face. This isn’t about chasing youth—it’s about understanding collagen loss, inflammation, and how hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause directly affect the skin. What You’ll Learn in This Episode In this episode, you’ll learn how estrogen interacts with the skin at a cellular level, why traditional skincare often stops working in midlife, and how clinicians are using estrogen cream for the face—specifically estriol and estradiol—in a thoughtful, medically supervised way. Dr. Brighten explains who may benefit, how these creams are typically used, what results are realistic, and which healthcare providers are qualified to prescribe them, all through a women’s-health-first, evidence-based lens. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/ OneSkin  Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health. Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050 LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠⁠ https://www.drbrighten.com⁠⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endometriosis shouldn’t require fame, influence, or extraordinary persistence to be taken seriously—yet that’s exactly what Lili Reinhart’s viral post reveals. In her deeply vulnerable message, she shared years of worsening symptoms, medical dismissal, and confusion that ultimately led her to discover she had both endometriosis and adenomyosis. Her experience mirrors the journey of millions of people who have been repeatedly told their pain is normal, exaggerated, or unrelated to their reproductive health. In this powerful episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten reacts to Lili’s post and uses it as a launch point to expose the endometriosis diagnosis myth, highlight the systemic failures that keep patients undiagnosed for years, and provide a clear, practical path for listeners who suspect endo but haven’t been taken seriously. Drawing from her own 29-year delay to diagnosis, her clinical expertise, and the lived experiences of her community, Dr. Brighten breaks down the biggest misconceptions, the biases baked into diagnostic processes, and the tools that actually help patients get answers. You’ll learn why “normal” imaging is often meaningless, how endometriosis can hide from inexperienced radiologists, and why patients who tell doctors they want to conceive get diagnosed faster—even when their symptoms are the same. You’ll also learn how pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder symptoms, digestive issues, fatigue, and systemic inflammation all intersect with endometriosis and what this means for your care. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/ Sunlighten Saunas Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website:⁠ https://www.drbrighten.com⁠ 📸  Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever felt like stress runs the show, your cortisol is permanently stuck on “high,” or mindfulness sounds great in theory but completely unrealistic in real life… this episode is about to change everything. Bestselling author and mindfulness teacher Rosie Acosta joins Dr. Jolene Brighten to reveal how you can lower cortisol, calm your nervous system, and shift out of survival mode in as little as 90 seconds — even if you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, or navigating perimenopause. From the science of vagus nerve breathing to the emotional reactivity of modern life, Rosie and Dr. Brighten break down how tiny, realistic mindfulness practices can literally reshape your brain, support hormone balance, and anchor you back into the person you want to be. This is one of those episodes that makes you pause, breathe differently, and rethink what it means to feel grounded. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/ Sunlighten Saunas Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten LUMEBOX Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands. Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. 💫 Follow Rosie Acosta: 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosieacosta/ 👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radicallylovedrosie/ ⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rosieacosta 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Loneliness isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s a biological event that behaves like a hidden hormone disorder. In this episode, Shawn Stevenson joins Dr. Brighten to expose how the effects of social isolation ripple across your cortisol levels, immune system, emotional stability, and even your genes. You’ll hear how technology, toxic relationships, fractured community networks, and modern family dynamics are driving a quiet but powerful shift in women’s health and longevity. What follows is one of the most illuminating, compassionate, and actionable conversations you’ll ever hear about connection, stress, and the biology of belonging. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. And for a limited time, when you order Radiant Mind, you’ll also receive a free bottle of our best-selling Magnesium Plus—the perfect partner for restorative sleep and steady mood. Learn more at http://drbrighten.com/radiant. Sunlighten Saunas Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals. Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten OneSkin  Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health. Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050 🔥 Follow Shawn Stevenson: 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnmodel/ 👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheModelHealthShow ⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtFV6nJ5zZ0__SXBkikfLlg 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been waking up exhausted, crashing in the afternoon, gaining weight around your belly, or feeling overwhelmed by even the smallest things, this episode is going to be a turning point for you. So many women—especially women over 35 and women moving through perimenopause—are unknowingly dealing with chronic cortisol dysregulation, even when they’re eating well, exercising, and doing “everything right.” In today’s conversation, I walk you through how to reduce stress hormones naturally, using a simple and effective four-step plan you can begin today. You’ll also learn why the holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year for women’s hormones, and how to make small changes that allow you to enjoy the season without crashing in January. This episode blends science with practicality, and gives you the tools, data, and strategies you need to support cortisol in a way that’s sustainable, accessible, and incredibly effective. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Optimal Adrenal Kit — a science-backed system created to support women’s stress response, energy, and hormonal balance through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the exhaustion of chronic stress, the wired-and-tired cycles of adrenal imbalance, or the way burnout can amplify challenges with mood, focus, or sleep, you’re not alone. The Optimal Adrenal Kit brings together clinically informed adaptogens, targeted B-vitamins, and foundational adrenal nutrients to help nourish your stress pathways and support steady energy, emotional resilience, and whole-body vitality. Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/optimal-adrenal-kit?_pos=1&_psq=adrenal+kit&_ss=e&_v=1.0&selling_plan=995590178 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠ 📸  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠ 🎥 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:  Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠ 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've noticed more hair in your brush, shedding in the shower, or a widening part line, you're in the right place. This episode breaks down the real reasons women lose hair and exactly what you can do about it. Because I promised in the episode that everything would be clearly divided into categories in the show notes, this page includes a step-by-step, science-backed protocol, organized by mechanism so you can easily follow and implement the plan. This Episode Is Brought to You By Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind—a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience.  Shop now https://drbrighten.com/radiant/ OneSkin  Founded by an all-woman team of PhD-level scientists, OneSkin is revolutionizing aging with the OS-01™ peptide, the first ingredient proven to reverse skin’s biological age by targeting cellular senescence. The result? Skin that looks, feels, and acts younger. It’s never too early — or too late — to invest in your skin health. Shop now https://oneskin.pxf.io/c/1950532/2885132/31050 👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten: 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/ 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten 👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful and deeply validating conversation, we unpack what pain is actually telling you, how doctors should evaluate it, why so many women are misdiagnosed, and the anatomical truths every woman deserves to know about her pelvic health. If you've ever wondered why sex is painful and what to do next, this is the most comprehensive and actionable explanation you’ve ever heard—all based entirely on the insights from the episode transcript. For full episode notes see: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/pain-during-sex/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices