Summary of "A Deep Dive on PCOS, Endometriosis and Birth Control | Dr. Jolene Brighten" on Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

Release Date: March 11, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, host Alex Clark welcomes Dr. Jolene Brighten, a renowned expert in women's health and hormones. Dr. Brighten, a certified menopause specialist, naturopathic endocrinologist, and bestselling author, delves deep into critical topics affecting women's hormonal health, including PCOS, endometriosis, and the implications of hormonal birth control.

Hormonal Birth Control: Is It Poison?

Alex Clark ([02:36]): “Hormonal birth control is poison a fair or unfair statement?”

Dr. Jolene Brighten ([02:36]): “Oh, I would say that it's an unfair statement to say that it's outright poison. However, I don't think it's without its flaws.”

Dr. Brighten contends that labeling hormonal birth control as "poison" is an oversimplification that hinders nuanced discussions. She emphasizes the importance of weighing the pros and cons of any medication, advocating for informed consent where women understand both benefits and risks tailored to their individual health profiles.

Informed Consent and Side Effects of the Pill

Dr. Brighten underscores that effective informed consent involves a comprehensive discussion about how birth control works, its effects on the body, and potential side effects. She criticizes the tendency of some healthcare providers to downplay or overlook side effects, thus preventing women from making fully informed choices.

Dr. Brighten ([03:00]): “We have to talk about how does birth control work, what does it do to the body and what could be the potential side effects that you should look out for.”

She advocates for testing before prescription, especially for clotting disorders, to mitigate risks like blood clots, a perspective she notes is often controversial due to the perceived barriers it creates in the U.S. healthcare system.

Impact on Attraction and Genetics

Exploring the less-discussed effects of the pill, Dr. Brighten reveals intriguing research on how hormonal birth control can influence women’s attraction patterns.

Dr. Brighten ([11:00]): “When women are on the pill, they're attracted to genetically someone who's more like their cousin than being as different from themselves. They gravitate towards male faces that are more feminine.”

She emphasizes the evolutionary basis behind these changes, highlighting the pill's role in altering natural attraction mechanisms, and calls for more research to understand these profound impacts fully.

Pill and Cancer Risks

The conversation shifts to cancer risks associated with the pill, where Dr. Brighten provides a balanced view.

Dr. Brighten ([14:21]): “If your ovaries are not functioning and you're not building up your endometrium and then shedding your endometrium, women who have PCOS, then yes, it certainly can help. But there's other ways to prevent cancer, and I think it's a disservice to tell women, just take the pill and it will decrease your cancer risk.”

She acknowledges that while the pill may reduce the risk of certain cancers like ovarian and endometrial cancer, it might slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. Dr. Brighten stresses the importance of considering nutrition and lifestyle as pivotal factors in cancer prevention, rather than relying solely on medication.

Long-term Hormonal Effects Post-Pill

Addressing concerns about long-term hormonal health after discontinuing the pill, Dr. Brighten elaborates on the complexities involved.

Dr. Brighten ([15:57]): “When we talk about hormones, it’s like, well, we got, like, 50 plus hormones. So, like, what hormones are we talking about?”

She explains that hormonal birth control can have lasting effects on hormones such as insulin and thyroid hormones, potentially increasing the risk of insulin resistance and thyroid dysfunction post-pill usage. The conversation highlights the uncertainty surrounding autoimmune diseases and the need for further research to understand the pill's long-term impacts comprehensively.

Endometriosis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Brighten provides an in-depth exploration of endometriosis, differentiating it from common misconceptions and outlining effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Dr. Brighten ([42:29]): “Endometriosis is endometrial cells outside of the uterus. This is not the same.”

She discusses the limitations of relying solely on the pill for managing endometriosis symptoms, emphasizing that the pill masks rather than treats the underlying condition. Dr. Brighten advocates for surgical interventions like excision surgery and innovative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to enhance egg quality and fertility.

Ovarian Cysts

The discussion moves to ovarian cysts, where Dr. Brighten critiques the common medical approach of prescribing birth control as a one-size-fits-all solution.

Dr. Brighten ([48:46]): “Doctors will say, oh, just take the pill for ovarian cysts. There’s actually not good evidence that that’s gonna actually treat and prevent these ovarian cysts.”

She advises a more individualized approach, focusing on dietary fiber intake, consumption of cruciferous vegetables, and nutrient support to manage and prevent ovarian cysts effectively.

Post Birth Control Syndrome

Dr. Brighten introduces the concept of Post Birth Control Syndrome, detailing the array of symptoms women may experience after discontinuing hormonal birth control.

Dr. Brighten ([35:51]): “Post birth control syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that can come up after you stop hormonal birth control.”

Symptoms include cystic acne, hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, emotional instability, and prolonged cycle irregularities. She emphasizes the necessity of a structured plan to support the body during the transition off birth control, including nutrient repletion and symptom management strategies outlined in her book Beyond the Pill.

Supporting Hormonal Health: Diet, Lifestyle, Nutrients

A significant portion of the episode focuses on holistic approaches to managing hormonal imbalances through diet and lifestyle modifications.

Dr. Brighten ([57:45]): “Well, it's diet and lifestyle. Like I will tell you that when you have... it's diet and lifestyle disease.”

She advocates for a nutrient-dense diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals such as B6, magnesium, and zinc. Dr. Brighten also highlights the importance of strength training and stress management techniques to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation, which are critical in conditions like PCOS.

Understanding the Menstrual Cycle

Dr. Brighten offers a comprehensive breakdown of the menstrual cycle, debunking myths and clarifying the roles of various hormones across different phases.

Dr. Brighten ([68:05]): “Women like to break up their cycle into four phases, phases with the period being a distinct phase. But what I want everyone to understand is it's all the follicular phase, because the goal of the menstrual cycle is ovulation.”

She explains the follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase, detailing hormonal changes and their physiological impacts. Understanding these phases, she argues, is essential for women to identify and address hormonal imbalances effectively.

Postpartum Hormone Support

Addressing postpartum hormonal challenges, Dr. Brighten provides actionable advice for new mothers to support their hormonal health, especially when breastfeeding disrupts circadian rhythms.

Dr. Brighten ([85:41]): “Here's what's really important for moms to understand is that baby's liver is immature. It cannot store sugar.”

She recommends strategies such as using red light bulbs to minimize melatonin disruption, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and incorporating magnesium and adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha to manage stress and support hormonal balance during the demanding postpartum period.

Finding the Right Healthcare Provider

Navigating the healthcare system to find supportive and knowledgeable providers is crucial, according to Dr. Brighten.

Dr. Brighten ([103:31]): “Well, that can be really tricky if you are someone who is in perimenopause menopause...”

She advises seeking out naturopathic physicians or functional medicine practitioners who prioritize understanding the root causes of hormonal issues over prescribing blanket solutions like the pill. Dr. Brighten emphasizes the importance of patient empowerment and advocating for oneself to receive comprehensive care.

Conclusion and Resources

In closing, Dr. Brighten offers a powerful remedy to heal a "sick culture": empowering individuals to become the authority on their bodies through education and self-awareness.

Dr. Brighten ([105:01]): “I would teach everybody that they are the authority on their body.”

She encourages women to educate themselves about their physiological processes, track their menstrual cycles, and make informed lifestyle choices to foster hormonal health.

For further reading, Dr. Brighten recommends her books:

• Beyond the Pill
• Is This Normal?
• Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth

Listeners can find her work on her website, DrBrighten.com, and her podcast, The Dr. Brighten Show.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Brighten ([03:00]): “We have to talk about how does birth control work, what does it do to the body and what could be the potential side effects that you should look out for.”

• Dr. Brighten ([11:00]): “When women are on the pill, they're attracted to genetically someone who's more like their cousin than being as different from themselves.”

• Dr. Brighten ([14:21]): “If your ovaries are not functioning and you're not building up your endometrium and then shedding your endometrium, women who have PCOS, then yes, it certainly can help.”

• Dr. Brighten ([35:51]): “Post birth control syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that can come up after you stop hormonal birth control.”

• Dr. Brighten ([57:45]): “Well, it's diet and lifestyle. Like I will tell you that when you have... it's diet and lifestyle disease.”

• Dr. Brighten ([68:05]): “Women like to break up their cycle into four phases... it's all the follicular phase, because the goal of the menstrual cycle is ovulation.”

• Dr. Brighten ([85:41]): “Here's what's really important for moms to understand is that baby's liver is immature. It cannot store sugar.”

• Dr. Brighten ([105:01]): “I would teach everybody that they are the authority on their body.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of Culture Apothecary serves as a crucial resource for women seeking comprehensive knowledge about hormonal health. Dr. Jolene Brighten provides valuable insights into the complexities of hormonal birth control, the challenges of managing conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, and the importance of informed consent and personalized healthcare. Her emphasis on education, self-awareness, and holistic health practices offers listeners actionable strategies to navigate and improve their hormonal well-being.

For those interested in further exploring these topics, Dr. Brighten’s books and her dedicated podcast offer extensive information and support.