Midlife women aren’t avoiding sex—they’re avoiding pain, boredom, and frustration. In this episode, I unpack the real reasons intimacy fades during midlife and what couples can do to reconnect. From hormone shifts and low libido to communication struggles and painful sex, Karen provides practical solutions and compassionate insights to help couples reignite intimacy.

If you’ve ever wondered why your partner seems to avoid the bedroom, this episode gives you the tools to start the right conversation and explore solutions—from medical options like hormone therapy to introducing new ways of creating pleasure.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why midlife women avoid sex

00:35 – Hormones, menopause & low libido

01:25 – Emotional struggles & stress

02:05 – Boring or painful sex: the silent killers

03:15 – The power of communication

04:10 – Possible solutions: hormones, therapy & vibrators

05:05 – Final advice: reconnecting with love

Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Follow Karen Bigman:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taboototruth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551130276567

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenbigman

Website: http://taboototruth.com

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Listen to The Taboo To Truth Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday & Saturday!

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Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at

Menopause is no longer a silent struggle. From “millennipause” to cutting-edge treatments like GLP-1s, today’s conversation with Jackie Giannelli, a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in women's health with extensive expertise in hormonal health, menopause, women's sexual health, and urogynecology, dives into the evolving landscape of perimenopause and menopause care.

We explore the shifting attitudes around hormone replacement therapy, the rise of millennials entering perimenopause, and why lifestyle, supplements, and community matter just as much as medical interventions. Jackie also breaks down how GLP-1 medications may become a new arm of menopause treatment — while highlighting their potential impact on sexual health.

Whether you’re curious about natural options, considering hormone therapy, or just beginning your perimenopause journey, this episode offers clarity, science-backed insights, and compassion for women navigating this complex phase of life.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Jackie Giannelli

1:15 – What is “Millennipause”?

4:12 – How millennials are approaching perimenopause differently

6:45 – Hormone hesitancy is fading: why women want bioidenticals now

9:50 – Non-hormonal treatments: supplements that actually work

13:30 – Lifestyle shifts that make a difference in perimenopause

16:45 – GLP-1 medications and their surprising potential in menopause care

21:05 – The hidden side effects of GLP-1s on sexual health

23:18 – The power of community and women supporting women

25:10 – Jackie’s definition of sex & closing thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email:

In this episode, I share what I’ve learned after coaching women through menopause and living it myself. Through my own journey and countless conversations, I’ve identified what I call the five emotional stages of menopause: What the F**, Confusion, I Need Help, Acceptance,* and Empowerment. I walk you through each stage, the struggles and frustrations, and the hope that comes when you realize you’re not alone. Menopause isn’t a disease—it’s a natural phase of life that can actually lead you to strength, freedom, and empowerment.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: My Menopause Journey

00:35 – Stage 1: WTF?! The Strange Symptoms I Didn’t Recognize

01:50 – Stage 2: Confusion – When I Thought Something Was Seriously Wrong

02:50 – Stage 3: I Need Help – Admitting I Couldn’t Do It Alone

03:50 – Stage 4: Acceptance – Finally Understanding Menopause

04:40 – Stage 5: Empowerment – How I Found Strength and Freedom

05:50 – Final Thoughts: Why Menopause Wasn’t the End for Me

06:20 – Outro

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy.