Understanding Female Anatomy: Straight Talk with Dr. Jolene Brighten

In a world where the perfect vulva is pushed by cosmetic surgeons and online forums, one expert is breaking down the reality of the female anatomy. But when it comes to labia hypertrophy and the incomprehensible husband stitch, who can women trust to make the right decisions for their bodies? Tune in for some straight talk that will leave you empowered and educated.Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, clinical sexologist, and prominent leader in women's medicine. She has gained international recognition as a speaker, clinical educator, and medical advisor within the tech community. Jolene is a faculty member at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and part of the MINDBODY Green collective. Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious publications such as Forbes, Cosmo, and The Guardian.Episode Overview (Timestamps are approximate):02:54 - Welcome03:43 - Introducing Jolene04:43 - Becoming a sex counsellor07:26 - Vulva vs vagina and how it should look10:24 - The History of anatomy textbooks15:10 - The female body is the standard17:27 - Labial hypertrophy surgery explained19:07 - the most popular plastic surgery22:29 - The “husband stitch” and why you are in charge25:20 - Being “tight” is a fundamental misunderstanding29:01 - Vaginal odour and discharge explained31:17 - The best kind of lube33:03 - How your vagina can bleach your underwear35:08 - Losing your period is not healthy36:44 - Should your vagina smell like yogurt?42:51 - The main goal of the menstrual cycle44:09 - Let’s talk about the hyman49:12 - Insulin and glucose and their role on hormones58:17 - The importance of stress management in perimenopause01:01:08 - Why you need to stay hydrated01:05:08 - You don’t get a medal for running yourself into the ground01:12:05 - Embracing masculine and feminine energies01:17:58 - Do I feel joy? Do I feel safe?We’d like to thank our sponsors:Athletic Greens – redeem an exclusive offer hereFourSigmatic Use code DRSTEPHANIE for 10% offOrion Red Light Therapy – Use the code STEPHANIE10 for 10% offSchinouusa – Use code DR.ESTIMA10 for 10% offBIOOPTIMIZERS – receive 10% off your order with Promo Code “ESTIMA”The DNA  Company – $50 discount using code “DRSTEPHANIE” at checkout.HVMN Ketones – get 10% off your order with Promo Code “STEPHANIE”ILIA BeautyLiving Libations – Use code BETTER for 15% offLMNT Electrolytes – A FREE 7-flavor sample pack!PRIMEADINE – get 10% Off your Order with Promo Code “DRSTEPHANIE10”Follow Me On InstagramWatch Better! on YouTubeGet yourself a copy of my best-selling book, The Betty Body ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.