The Wellness Process 76. Is This Normal? Period Pain, Fatigue, Endometriosis, Mood Swings & Post Birth Control Syndrome with Dr. Jolene Brighten
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Aug 26, 2025 Join Dr. Jolene Brighten, a hormone expert and author dedicated to women's health, as she shares her journey through misdiagnosis and the pain of endometriosis. She dives into the realities of period pain and birth control, busting myths about Post-Birth Control Syndrome. Delve into the phases of the menstrual cycle and learn to recognize red flags like hormonal acne and PMDD. Plus, Dr. Brighten discusses self-advocacy for proper endometriosis diagnosis and the importance of nutrition in managing symptoms.
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Personal Journey Into Misdiagnosis
- Dr. Jolene Brighten spent 10 years on the pill, lost her period after stopping, and was later diagnosed with endometriosis at 29 years of menstruation.
- Her personal delays and gaslighting experiences motivated her work in women's medicine.
How The Pill Alters Hormone Communication
- Hormonal contraceptives suppress ovulation and provide no natural progesterone, altering brain–ovary communication.
- Progestin in pills is not the same as physiological progesterone and raises sex hormone binding globulin, reducing bioavailable testosterone.
Prep Your Body Before Stopping The Pill
- Prepare to come off the pill by optimizing diet and nutrient stores, and consider a multivitamin or prenatal.
- Focus on fiber, plants, probiotics, and protein to support gut microbiome and neurotransmitter production.
