Episode 254: Releasing Shame around Sexual Health with Dr. Jolene Brighten
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify
From reproduction to physical well-being, pleasure, and partner connection, sex is a fundamental part of life–and yet, our society is so uncomfortable with the topic that productive conversations about sex are rare. As a result, many people (particularly women) end up with shame and confusion about their bodies, and questions about what’s “normal” go unasked or unanswered.
Dr. Jolene Brighten’s work answers these questions. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Jolene discuss the origins of shame around sex and pleasure in our culture, answer common questions about odors, discharges, and pain, and explore the orgasm gap and what women can do both physically and with mindset to increase their experiences of pleasure.
Dr. Jolene Brighten is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in clinical sexology. Dr. Brighten is the author of Is This Normal, a non-judgmental guide to creating hormone balance, eliminating unwanted symptoms, and building the sexual desire you crave.
In this episode:
Why is there so much shame around sex? [6:18]
Odors and discharges explained [19:49]
The “orgasm gap” and the purpose of orgasms [23:45]
How to explore pleasure around sex [35:38]
Impact of cyclical hormones on female pleasure [38:00]
Virginity as a societal construct [48:13]
Resources mentioned:
Buy Dr. Jolene Brighten’s new book Is This Normal? Judgment-Free Straight Talk About Your Body
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