If you’re experiencing weight gain that feels sudden, unexplained, and resistant to everything that used to work—especially after age 35—you are not alone. For many women, weight gain in perimenopause begins years before menopause is ever mentioned in a doctor’s office. Alongside changes in weight, sleep often deteriorates, anxiety increases, cravings feel harder to control, and energy becomes unpredictable.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the real hormonal mechanisms behind weight gain in perimenopause over 35—and why this phase of life requires an entirely different approach than “eat less and move more.” This conversation focuses on the biological changes happening beneath the surface, how hormones like progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones interact, and what women can do to support their metabolism, sleep, and overall health during this transition.

This is not about willpower. It’s about physiology.

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind — 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. 

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

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

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. 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