The Dr. Brighten Show

• Cortisol Face, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Insulin Resistance, and How to Treat Endometriosis Naturally | Alaia Baldwin

  What happens when you're in your 20s, seemingly healthy, and then your body turns on you overnight? In this powerful episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, model and wellness advocate Alaia Baldwin shares the deeply human side of living with polycystic ovarian syndrome insulin resistance, misdiagnosed cortisol face, and the complex journey of learning how to treat endometriosis. She talks intimately about being a part of a famous family and how they supported her deeply through her journey. From collapsing into bed with chronic fatigue to confronting misdiagnoses and bloating that made her look months pregnant as a model and mother, Alaia opens up about the real impact of hormonal disorders that are too often minimized or misunderstood. This is not just about symptoms. It’s about survival. About self-trust. And about how a woman can transform pain into purpose. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by doctors, exhausted beyond explanation, or bloated beyond belief — this episode is for you. 👇 YOU’LL LEARN: How to recognize cortisol face as a warning sign of hormone imbalance The emotional and physical toll of polycystic ovarian syndrome insulin resistance What no one tells you about how to treat endometriosis effectively The nutrition and lifestyle shifts that changed everything How motherhood intersects with invisible illness and how to cope This episode is brought to you by:  Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox  use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.   Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! Links Mentioned in This Episode: Alaia Baldwin’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alaiabaldwin Myo Inositol Plus from Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus DrBrighten.com – Free Hormone & PCOS Resources https://drbrighten.com/category/menstrual-cycle/pcos/ Book: Is This Normal by Dr. Jolene Brighten https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/is-this-normal Understanding Cortisol Face – Adrenal PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/adrenal-pcos/ MyoInositol and PCOS: https://drbrighten.com/best-inositol-supplement/ Cold Plunge Therapy for Women: https://drbrighten.com/cold-plunge-benefits/ Endo What? Documentary – Endometriosis Awareness https://www.endowhat.com/ How to Tell If You Have Endometriosis with Dr. Ram Cabrera [Podcast]: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/how-to-tell-if-you-have-endometriosis/ 👩🏻‍⚕️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

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• Side Effects of Stopping The Birth Control Pill: How to Stop Mood Swings, Acne & More | Dr. Jolene Brighten

  You stopped taking the pill… now what? For millions of women, the birth control pill has been a lifeline or a frustrating mystery. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten unpacks what really happens when you stop hormonal birth control and why no one in the doctor’s office seems to prepare you for the aftermath. Whether you're quitting the pill to get pregnant, manage side effects, or simply reconnect with your body, this episode is your roadmap to understanding and healing. Dr. Brighten breaks down post-birth control syndrome, hormonal chaos, gut health, metabolic shifts, and what the first few months after quitting really look like. With clinical insight, personal stories, and practical solutions, this conversation is your ultimate guide to reclaiming your hormonal health—on your terms. This episode is brought to you by:  Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  Natural Cycles: https://naturalcycles.app/DrBrighten use code DrBrighten to get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer. DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten – https://amzn.to/3becjT7 Gut Health Episode with Gastroenterologist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QivbSb4JzM Episode on Painful Periods & Medical Gaslighting – Coming next week, subscribe so you don't miss the episode https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten Perimenopause Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Episode – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TQ5fbOKsMI Thyroid Health Episode – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONw2EiGa7JY Recommended Prenatal/Multi Supplement – https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/prenatal-plus?selling_plan=995786786 👩🏻‍⚕️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 👍 Like this episode?  Please like, comment, and share this video with someone who needs it. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the 🔔 to get notified when new episodes drop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  47:06
• Why Reproductive Health Is Still Stuck in the 1950s—From Epidurals to Birth Control Methods

  Are we really still using 70-year-old tools in women’s health? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with award-winning journalist and author Marina Gerner to expose how outdated our current reproductive health care system really is—from the epidural as the “last big innovation” in birth care to the lack of real advancement in birth control methods. But this conversation isn’t just about what’s broken—it’s also about what’s being built.  You’ll learn about groundbreaking innovations like smart bras that detect heart disease, digital contraceptives that rival the pill in efficacy, and why FemTech may be the future of women’s health. Whether you're frustrated by the current system or looking for hopeful, empowering solutions, this episode is packed with actionable insight, compelling stats, and a vision for what modern reproductive health could and should look like. This episode is brought to you by:  Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off – Supporting parents and families with tools that work. Natural Cycles: https://naturalcycles.app/DrBrighten use code DrBrighten to get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer. LMNT: http://DrinkLMNT.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products. Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! Links Mentioned in This Episode The Vagina Business by Marina Gerner –​​ https://amzn.to/4kM7xPI Dr. Brighten’s book Is This Normal? – https://amzn.to/3wvdgWy Dr. Brighten’s book Beyond the Pill - https://amzn.to/3becjT7 Research: "Association of Hormonal Contraception With Depression" (JAMA, 2016) – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2552796 Fertility Awareness resource guide – https://drbrighten.com/fertility-awareness-method-work/ The Guardian article on the smart bra – https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2020/jun/02/smart-bras-and-a-light-tracker-the-wearable-tech-helping-plug-the-medical-gender-bias-gap Follow Marina Gerner: Website https://www.marinagerner.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marinagerner Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marinagerner 👩🏻‍⚕️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

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  1:27:11
• The Truth About Insulin Resistance Treatment, Foods, and Labs in Perimenopause

  If you're in your 40s and wondering why your go-to health strategies aren’t working anymore, this episode is your wake-up call. Up to 80% of women develop insulin resistance during perimenopause—and most don’t even know it. Weight gain, cravings, brain fog, poor sleep, and stubborn belly fat could all be signs your metabolism is being hijacked by hormonal shifts. But here’s the kicker: you don’t have to look overweight to be metabolically unhealthy. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the hormonal chaos of midlife, the labs your doctor probably isn’t running, and the nutrition and lifestyle upgrades that actually work—no fads required. Download the free Perimenopause Weight Loss Action Plan at: https://drbrighten.com/plan This Episode is Brought to You By: Dr. Brighten Essentials: use code POD15 for 15% off – Supporting parents and families with tools that work. https://drbrightenessentials.com Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. http://drbrighten.com/sunlighten Want to reach an audience of health-literate, proactive women who care deeply about hormones and longevity? Email [email protected] to inquire about sponsorship opportunities. Dr. Brighten Essentials Products: - Women's Probiotic with Lactobacillus rhamnosus https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/womens-probiotic - Thyroid Support Formula https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/thyroid-support - Myo Inositol Plus with chromium, green tea, and 2,000 mcg of myo-inositol https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/myoinositol-plus Podcast Episodes: - Perimenopause 101 – What’s Happening to Your Hormones? https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-symptoms-solutions-explained/  - How to Lose Weight in Perimenopause Without Losing Your Mind https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/ - Is HRT The Answer? Top HRT Questions Answered https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/should-you-consider-hrt/  - Sleep in Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/  - The Vagus Nerve and Stress Regulation https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/why-you-need-to-stimulate-vagus-nerve/  - Carbs, Muscle, and Hormones with Dr. Stephanie Estima https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/fitness-for-menopause/  - Neurodivergent Women and Hormone Health https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-types-and-hormones/  - Dr. Staci Whitman: Oral Health https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/mouth-breathing-in-children/ Articles & Tools: - Can You Get Pregnant in Perimenopause? https://drbrighten.com/can-i-get-pregnant-during-perimenopause/  - Why Can’t I Sleep in Perimenopause https://drbrighten.com/perimenopause-sleep-issues/  - How to Lose Weight in Menopause https://drbrighten.com/menopause-weight-loss/  - Visceral Fat in Women (aka Belly Fat) & How to Lose It https://drbrighten.com/menopause-belly-fat/ Study: Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode- Study: Estrogen Therapy & Insulin Sensitivity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25883987/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  51:18
• This Weight Loss Diet Helped Her Lose 100 Pounds (Without Cutting Pizza!) | Ilana Muhlstein

  In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with world-renowned dietitian and bestselling author Ilana Muhlstein to dismantle the myths and madness of the typical weight loss diet. Ilana doesn’t just talk the talk—she lost over 100 pounds, kept it off through three pregnancies, and helps millions do the same with her signature “Water First, Veggies Most” philosophy. This conversation is a blend of science, lived experience, and zero BS. If you're tired of confusing food rules, toxic trends, or watching Ozempic change your friends’ relationships with food, this one’s for you. This episode is brought to you by: Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase. Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Ilana Muhlstein’s program: 2B Mindset ⁠https://www.ilanamuhlstein.com/⁠ Ilana’s Book: You Can Drop It! ⁠https://a.co/d/9oYkz9O⁠ Ilana Meals (healthy meal delivery service): https://www.ilanameals.com Oodles High-Fiber Mac & Cheese: https://www.eatoodles.com Dr. Brighten’s Free Anti-Inflammatory Recipes + Holistic Weight Loss Plan: https://drbrighten.com/plan/  Follow Ilana Muhlstein: 💻Website https://www.ilanamuhlstein.com/ 📸Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ilanamuhlsteinrd/ ⭕YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IlanaProudPoser 🎥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nutritionbabe?lang=en 👩🏻‍⚕️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

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  57:10

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