This week on Calling in Sick x Ask Alex, Dr. Jolene Brighten is back, and we are getting into something that I wish someone had explained to me years ago. If you have a neurodivergent brain and have ever felt like your symptoms get dramatically worse at certain points in your cycle… you are not imagining it. Your hormones are doing that. And there is ACTUALLY a lot you can do about it.

We're diving into:

🧠 How your menstrual cycle affects your neurodivergent brain

📉 Why you feel like you crash out during your luteal phase

💔 How hormones effect PMDD

⏰ Why you may enter perimenopause earlier if you have ADHD

💊 What to actually do: hormone therapy, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, thyroid health, etc.

This one is a saver. Send it to every neurodivergent woman in your life. 🤍

xx,

Alex

💬 Comment: Have you ever noticed how during specific points in your cycle, you symptoms get worse?! Tell us when 👇

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Ask Alex!

00:00:05 Introduction of Dr. Jolene Brighten and her new book on ADHD and women

Hormones, Cycles, and the Neurodivergent Brain:

00:01:12 What actually happens during the menstrual cycle?

00:04:41 How hormonal shifts uniquely impact neurodivergent women

00:07:34 The connection between ADHD, Autism, and PMDD

00:09:34 Understanding the GABA system and "mouth filters"

00:10:52 How the brain recalibrates and prunes during the cycle

00:12:04 Pain receptors and cycle-based sensitivities

Endometriosis and it’s Co-Morbidities:

00:13:03 Co-morbidities: Endometriosis, autoimmune disease, and connective tissue disorders

00:16:35 How medications (ADHD, anxiety, depression) interact with cycles

Cycles and Neurodivergence:

00:18:28 How our cycles impact ADHD

00:22:45 Utilizing hormone therapy for neurodivergent brains

00:24:38 When to start the conversation about hormone therapy

00:28:51 The role of testosterone in energy, "gumption," and impulsivity

00:31:05 Estrogen therapy and cognitive symptoms (Time blindness, memory)

Conclusion:

00:36:09 Where to connect with Dr. Brighten

00:37:05 Thank you for listening!

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Alex’s Picks of the Week:

Apparently… pregnant woman sunburn MUCH faster than usual… so here are my top 2 pregnancy safe, non-toxic sun safety picks!!!

✨Tower28 SOS Spray (for when you burn) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-61563905

✨OSEA Mineral Sunscreen — https://go.shopmy.us/p-61563949

#Endometriosis #EndoAwareness #EndoWarrior #ChronicIllness #ADHD #ADHDWomen #AutoimmuneDisease #POTS #PMDD #DrJoleneBrighten #BeyondThePill #PelvicPain #EndoSurgery #ExcisionSurgery #ChronicPain #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #WomensHealth #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson

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