Perimenopause hormones can make you feel like your body changed overnight—even when your labs look “normal,” and in this AMA Dr. Jolene Brighten answers your biggest questions about estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, HRT, birth control, Mirena, ovulation, POI, and postmenopause.

📖 PREORDER ADHD AND WOMEN: https://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

🧪 Why “normal” hormone labs don’t necessarily explain how you feel during perimenopause

😤 What symptoms like rage, anxiety, poor sleep, and irritability may tell you about progesterone

🥚 How to tell whether you’re still ovulating in perimenopause using cycle patterns, cervical mucus, temperature, LH, and progesterone

🩸 Why a shortening luteal phase may be an early clue that progesterone production is changing

🔬 Which hormone tests Dr. Brighten finds useful—and why testosterone, thyroid, insulin, and other markers deserve attention too

🧠 What we know—and still don’t know—about progestins, progesterone, GABA, BDNF, and women’s brain health

🌀 Where the Mirena IUD may fit during perimenopause, heavy bleeding, adenomyosis, and hormone therapy

🌙 When cyclic versus continuous progesterone may make sense

🧴 Dr. Brighten’s approach to estradiol, estriol, Biest, testosterone, and compounded hormone therapy

🏋️ How declining estrogen can affect muscle, connective tissue, mitochondria, exercise tolerance, and recovery

❤️ Why menopause doesn’t have to be a story of decline—including the part nobody talks about enough: sex can get better

🩺 When symptoms like varicose veins deserve further evaluation rather than being dismissed as “just hormones”

📖 ADHD and Women — Preorder + Bonuses: https://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

🌐 Dr. Brighten Website: https://drbrighten.com

🎙️ The Dr. Brighten Show: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/

🌟 Free Hormone-Friendly Recipes: https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🧠 Dr. Brighten Essentials — Radiant Mind: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind

👩🏻‍⚕️ About Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, nutrition scientist, women’s health educator, and author of ADHD and Women. Her work focuses on translating complex hormone science into practical information women can use to better understand their bodies and have more informed conversations with their healthcare providers.

👩🏻‍⚕️ Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten

💻 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjolenebrighten

👍 If this episode helped you, like the video, subscribe to The Dr. Brighten Show, and share it with a woman who has been told her labs are “normal” even though she knows something has changed. And tell me in the comments: what perimenopause or hormone question should we answer in the next AMA?

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace individualized medical care. Always discuss symptoms, medications, supplements, testing, and hormone therapy with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endometriosis pain can rewire the brain and nervous system, yet women are still told to tolerate severe pelvic pain, traumatic IUD insertions, and years of medical dismissal; explore the research and resources in the show notes at

🧠 In this episode, you’ll learn:

💬 Have you experienced severe IUD pain, medical gaslighting, or persistent pain after endometriosis treatment? Share your experience in the comments, including where you live and whether you were offered meaningful pain relief.

👍 If this episode helped you, please like the video, subscribe to The Dr. Brighten Show, and share it with someone who has been told her pain is normal.

⚕️ This content is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical care. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about persistent or severe pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, anemia, or symptoms that interfere with daily life.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late diagnosed ADHD & autism can change the story you’ve been telling yourself (and your relationship) for decades. In this episode, Dr. Brighten joins Rich and Rox Pink of ADHD Love and the Late Bloomers podcast to talk diagnosis, masking, relationships, perimenopause, HRT, and what finally made their lives make sense; view the full show notes and resources at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/late-diagnosed-adhd-and-autism/ .

Rich and Rox Pink have built a community of more than 5 million followers by showing the messy, funny, painful, and deeply human reality of neurodivergent life. In this candid conversation, Rox opens up about receiving her ADHD diagnosis after years of believing she was lazy, broken, and incapable of maintaining relationships, while Rich shares what it has been like to realize in his 40s that the “neurotypical husband” was actually autistic.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN

ABOUT RICH & ROX PINK

Rich and Rox Pink are the couple behind ADHD Love, known for their candid and often hilarious conversations about ADHD, autism, shame, relationships, addiction, recovery, and learning to work with a neurodivergent brain instead of constantly fighting it.

Together, they are bestselling authors and hosts of the Late Bloomers podcast, where they share the lessons they learned after years of believing they had simply failed at being adults.

🌐 ADHD Love: https://www.adhd-love.co.uk/

📸 Rich & Rox / ADHD Love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd_love_/

📚 Rich & Rox books + resources: https://linktr.ee/ADHD_Love

🎧 Late Bloomers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/late-bloomers/id1788035047

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind 

Want a science-backed formula created to support women’s brain health through every stage of life. If you’ve ever felt the brain fog of perimenopause or noticed how ADHD can amplify challenges with focus, memory, mood, or sleep, you’re not alone. Radiant Mind combines clinically studied saffron extract, Bacognize® Bacopa, Cognizin® Citicoline, and zinc to help nourish your brain chemistry and support clarity, calm, and resilience. 

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code POD15 for 15% off your order

Shop now: https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/radiant-mind

FOLLOW DR. BRIGHTEN

Dr. Brighten is a naturopathic physician, Certified Menopause Specialist through The Menopause Society, Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology (FABNE), author, researcher, and women’s health expert focused on translating complex hormone and health science into information women can actually use.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endometriosis inflammation may have implications far beyond pelvic pain, including associations with cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and long-term health risks. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains what the research actually shows, why a normal CRP doesn’t necessarily rule out inflammation, and what women and clinicians should understand about endometriosis as a whole-body disease. View the complete show notes at Dr. Brighten: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/endometriosis-inflammation/

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

What You'll Learn in This Episode

🎧 This Episode Is Brought to You By

EndoGlobal Group

At EndoGlobal Group, a network of world-class endometriosis specialists comes together to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with complex endometriosis—offering advanced diagnostic mapping, complete excision surgery, and holistic support.

Click here to learn more and schedule a free consultation https://drbrighten.com/endoglobal

Dr. Brighten Essentials – NAC

Dr. Brighten’s N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/n-acetyl-cysteine) is a high-quality formula designed to support glutathione production — your body’s master antioxidant. It helps promote healthy detoxification, immune resilience, respiratory health, and balanced inflammation.

Support your cells from the inside out.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LUMEBOX

Ready to take your skincare results to the next level—right from home? 💡 LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow. It’s the same science trusted in top dermatology clinics, now in your hands.

Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

🔗 Follow Dr. Brighten

🌐 Dr. Brighten Website & Show Notes: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

If this episode changed the way you think about endometriosis, like this video, subscribe to The Dr. Brighten Show, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace individualized medical advice from your healthcare professional.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brain inflammation may influence behavior, sensory processing, sleep, mood, and cognition in ways many families never realize. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Dr. Pejman Katiraei explore the connections between the immune system, gut health, environmental exposures, ADHD, autism, PANS/PANDAS, and neuroinflammation; view the complete show notes at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/brain-inflammation-and-behavior/

Neurodivergence Is Not the Problem

This episode does not suggest that autism or ADHD should be erased, “fixed,” or reduced to inflammation.

Instead, the conversation explores an important distinction:

A person’s neurodivergent wiring may be an intrinsic part of who they are.

Pain, severe anxiety, sleep disruption, gut dysfunction, overwhelming sensory sensitivity, aggression, or sudden regression may represent additional challenges affecting that person’s quality of life.

Understanding that distinction can help families support the whole person without treating their identity as a disease.

Signs That May Deserve a Closer Look

Always work with an appropriately licensed healthcare professional before beginning medications, antifungals, restrictive diets, parasite protocols, or treatment for suspected mold-related illness.

👨‍⚕️ About Dr. Pejman Katiraei

Dr. Pejman Katiraei works with children and families experiencing complex combinations of behavioral, neurological, immune, gastrointestinal, and environmental health concerns. In this episode, he shares clinical observations from his work with children experiencing neuroinflammation, sensory challenges, PANS/PANDAS, gut dysfunction, and significant behavioral changes.

Dr. Pejman Katiraei’s Website: https://drkatiraei.com/

Dr. Pejman Katiraei’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholistickids/?hl=en

Dr. Pejman Katiraei’s Substack: https://pkatiraei.substack.com/

👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, Certified Menopause Practitioner, nutrition scientist, certified sex counselor, bestselling author, and host of The Dr. Brighten Show. Her work focuses on women’s hormones, reproductive health, ADHD, neurodivergence, perimenopause, menopause, and the complex ways the brain, immune system, gut, and endocrine system interact.

🌐 Dr. Brighten’s Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Follow Dr. Brighten on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten/

🎵 Follow Dr. Brighten on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

📘 Follow Dr. Brighten on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrighten

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It does not replace individualized medical advice. Always consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, testing, medications, supplements, environmental concerns, or treatment decisions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melatonin benefits extend far beyond helping you fall asleep. In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, I sit down with nutrition scientist Dr. Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, IFMCP, to explore the surprising science behind melatonin, circadian rhythms, color, inflammation, brain health, and why being deficient in darkness may be one of the most overlooked threats to your long-term health. For additional resources, research, and key takeaways, be sure to visit the full show notes at

Whether you're struggling with poor sleep, hormone imbalance, chronic inflammation, or simply want to optimize healthy aging, this conversation will completely change how you think about light, darkness, and the body's innate healing capacity.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn

About Dr. Deanna Minich

Dr. Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, IFMCP is an internationally recognized nutrition scientist, educator, author, and functional medicine expert. She has published extensively on nutrition, phytochemicals, metabolism, inflammation, detoxification, and whole-person health, and is widely known for her work connecting food, color, physiology, and emotional well-being.

About Dr. Jolene Brighten

Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, Certified Menopause Society Practitioner (NCMP), nutrition scientist, and bestselling author specializing in women's hormone health, ADHD in women, fertility, autoimmune disease, and longevity.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Deanna Minich

🌐 Website: https://deannaminich.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deannaminich

🔗 Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten

❤️ Support The Show

👍 Like this video

💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway

📤 Share this episode with someone who struggles with sleep, hormones, or chronic inflammation

🔔 Subscribe for new conversations on hormones, women's health, nutrition, and longevity every week.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications, supplements, or treatment plan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chronic inflammation is at the root of many of today's most common health conditions, including autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, leaky gut, chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog—but it's often overlooked until significant damage has already occurred. View the full show notes, research, and resources mentioned in this episode at https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/chronic-inflammation/ .

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with Dr. Daniel Cárdenas, a conventionally trained physician, functional medicine practitioner, and medical homeopath, to explore why inflammation rarely exists in isolation. Together, they discuss how the gut, immune system, thyroid, nervous system, mitochondria, sleep, nutrition, stress, and environment all interact to influence long-term health—and what you can start doing today to address inflammation at its source.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn:

Connect with Daniel Cardenas

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_danielcardenas/?hl=en

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.danielcardenas

Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten

Subscribe for more evidence-based conversations on hormones, autoimmune disease, metabolism, thyroid health, menopause, nutrition, and functional medicine.

Show notes, studies, and additional resources: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/chronic-inflammation/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when being the strong one becomes the reason your body starts breaking down? In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains how chronic stress, hypervigilance, nervous system dysregulation, and emotional over-functioning can contribute to burnout, hormone symptoms, autoimmune disease, and chronic illness. For additional resources and references, visit the show notes at

Whether you're the woman everyone depends on, the caregiver, the fixer, or the one who never asks for help, this conversation will help you understand why your body may be asking you to finally put the weight down.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn:

This Episode is Sponsored By

Dr. Brighten Essentials

Want science-backed supplements formulated by a doctor who actually understands women’s health? 🌿 At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out. From targeted nutrients for glowing skin to essentials that fuel your daily vitality, you’ll get the highest-quality ingredients in forms your body can truly use.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Shop now https://drbrightenessentials.com

LMNT Electrolytes 

Want a clean, science-backed way to stay hydrated and energized? At LMNT, electrolytes are formulated with a precise balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no unnecessary fillers. Designed to support hydration, muscle function, and daily energy, LMNT helps you feel your best through workouts, busy days, and everyday life.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: Visit http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten to receive a free sample pack with any purchase.

Sunlighten Saunas 

Want a gentle, science-forward way to sweat, recover, and unwind?  At Sunlighten, infrared saunas deliver soothing heat that supports relaxation, muscle recovery, and deep, comfortable sweating—without the stifling temps of traditional saunas. With low-EMF tech and options for near, mid, and far infrared, you get a calm, restorative session tailored to your goals.

Exclusive for podcast listeners: use the code DRBRIGHTEN to save up to $1,400 on your sauna

Shop now https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten

👩🏻‍⚕️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

Motherhood can expose ADHD and autism in ways many women never expect. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Vanessa D’Souza discuss how postpartum hormones, burnout, masking, sensory overload, and relationship dynamics can leave neurodivergent women feeling like they’ve lost themselves—not because they’re failing, but because no one prepared them for what happens after birth. For the complete show notes, research, and resources, visit Dr. Brighten:

Vanessa D’Souza joins Dr. Brighten for an honest conversation about why pregnancy may feel easier than postpartum for women with ADHD and autism, how estrogen and progesterone influence executive function, why postpartum burnout is often mistaken for depression, and what partners, families, and healthcare providers need to understand to better support neurodivergent mothers.

✨ In This Episode

📚 Resources Mentioned

📖 Is This Normal?:

📖 Beyond the Pill: https://drbrighten.com/beyond-the-pill

📖 ADHD & Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/

🤝 Connect with Vanessa D’Souza

🌐 Website: https://vanessadsouza.co.uk/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.autistic.chef/?hl=en

💜 Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten

❤️ Enjoying the Show?

👍 Like this video

💬 Share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode

Your support helps us bring more evidence-based conversations about women’s health, hormones, ADHD, autism, and neuroscience to millions of people.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare plan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices