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 Jolene Brighten sits down with award-winning journalist and author Marina Gerner to expose how outdated our current reproductive health care system really is—from the epidural as the “last big innovation” in birth care to the lack of real advancement in birth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