We feel like crap when taking the pill.

We’re not alone in this experience of feeling like crap when taking hormonal birth control pills.

We’re not against hormonal birth control, but we are against using the pill as a blanket solution. There’s well-documented gender bias in the medical field, and it’s time for doctors to really start listening to women.

Over the last decade, for the first time, statistics for hormonal birth control for millennial women has actually decreased because of the rough side effects that have become commonplace. In other words, women aren’t putting up with this anymore.

On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Jolene Brighten. She is one of the pioneers in menstrual health reform in the United States. She’s a functional medicine naturopathic medical doctor, founder of Rubus Health, and is globally recognized as the leading expert in post-birth control syndrome.

Our conversation covers everything from personal experiences of doctors not paying attention to us in the clinic, and personal experiences regarding the pill. We also discuss methods to change the dismissive culture around menstrual health in medicine, natural alternatives to hormonal birth control, and how the story of menstruation is shifting to a story of empowerment.

Learn how you can take control over your menstrual health, medical care, and your symptoms on this episode of the And Yet podcast.

Some Questions We Ask:

· What does hormonal contraception do to the body? (8:02)

· How hormonal contraception can create a divide between the body and the self. (12:01)

· Why has the pill become the go-to treatment for menstrual health issues? (21:33)

· What really happens after the pill? What should women expect to happen? (40:09)

· What are natural alternatives to hormonal birth control? (46:50)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

· Why millennials are rejecting hormonal contraception. (6:08)

· How hormonal contraception affects the body. (8:19)

· How the story of menstruation is shifting to a story of women’s control over their own bodies. (12:31)

· How the culture around medicine focuses on giving women a quick fix for their menstrual health issues, and how you can be part of the change. (21:44)

· What to expect to happen to your body after coming off the pill. (40:28)

· Why it’s important for women to learn to work with a menstrual cycle. (48:13)

Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten:

Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten

Additional Resources:

Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler

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