
The UncompliKated Perimenopause Podcast
Welcome to The UncompliKated Perimenopause, a podcast designed to support and empower women on their perimenopause journey. Hosted by Kate Grosvenor, a mum, perimenopause expert, and life coach, alongside her 24-year-old daughter Gabriella, this podcast offers a unique blend of expertise and fresh perspective.
In each episode, Gabriella asks the questions you might have—whether you're just starting out, navigating the challenges, or supporting a loved one through perimenopause. Together, Kate and Gabriella tackle a wide range of topics, from perimenopause symptoms and solutions to personal stories and anecdotal as well as medical advice, ensuring that no matter where you are on your journey, you'll find something to resonate with.
Join us for candid conversations, practical tips, and a bit of humour, as we aim to make perimenopause less complicated and more understood. For additional resources, coaching, supplements, books, and events, visit www.kategrosvenor.com.
Subscribe now and start your journey towards a more informed and empowered perimenopause experience with The UncompliKated Perimenopause.
The UncompliKated Perimenopause Podcast
Episode 4 Season 2: Libido Gone AWOL in Perimenopause? How To Discuss This With Your Partner
This week's question is from Fiona who is asking about why her libido is rock bottom and how she discusses this with her husband. Also the discussion turns to why do many women feel disconnected with themselves as well during this time.
Tune in to discover the ups and downs of hormonal shifts and their surprising effects on women's libido and well-being. We unpack the roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, discussing solutions for common discomforts like vaginal dryness, including topical estrogen treatments and the benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for heart health.
Explore how self-acceptance and personal rituals can pave the way for a smoother transition into perimenopause, while open communication helps maintain intimacy and understanding with partners. Join us for a candid conversation aimed at fostering a supportive environment during this transformative life stage.
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Welcome to the Uncomplicated Perimenopause Podcast. I'm Kate Grosvenor, your friendly perimenopause expert and life coach.
Speaker 3:And I'm Gabriella Kate's daughter, representing all the women who are nowhere near perimenopause but want to understand it better.
Speaker 2:Whether you're just starting your perimenopause journey deep into it, whether you're just starting your perimenopause journey deep into it, or you're a loved one trying to support someone who is, we've got you covered.
Speaker 3:We'll be answering all of your burning questions, exploring the ups and downs and sharing expert advice and personal insights.
Speaker 2:So grab a cup of tea, get comfy and let's dive into the wonderful. Get comfy and let's dive into the wonderful, sometimes wild, world of perimenopause together.
Speaker 3:And remember, no matter where you are on your journey, you are not alone.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Uncomplicated Perimenopause. Hello, my darlings, and welcome to episode four of the uncomplicated perimenopause season two. Season two, yes, of the uncomplicated perimenopause podcast. Um, I have this thing we've just been talking about this where adhd I don't know if it's adhd, brain or the tis and brain just gonna say we're not what happened. I'm kate grover now oh yes, sorry, I'm kate grover and I'm perimenopause.
Speaker 3:Uh, um perimenopause you know who we are.
Speaker 2:Paramenopause expert and life coach.
Speaker 3:And I'm Gabriella Grosvenor.
Speaker 2:Dear Lord, it's nearly Christmas, adhd, adhd. Hey, now I have this thing where every time somebody says something that could be the title of the song, I have to sing the first line of the song. You're like miranda hart, it was all she does. Yeah, oh gosh, um, but I've had a whole morning of it this morning and I can't get my brain to stop doing it and it's just been. We've been setting up for the podcast and I've just been non-stop and I think, and I'm not even tired, but my brain is just really what did you ask me?
Speaker 3:you said something big boy, something oh big boy, um yeah. And then I was like you're like, why is it not big girl? And I was like, because this is a man's world and you can imagine what happened next.
Speaker 2:But it is everything at the moment and I and it's not, I'm not tired. I had a beautiful night's sleep. You've slept very well. I've slept very well for the last few days. I'm like passing out at like 11 o'clock at night. No school runs. I'm sleeping the sleep of the innocent and rested. I'm having gorgeous sleep at the moment.
Speaker 3:Amazing.
Speaker 2:Mystical, beautiful sleep, sleep just the gift from the gods. So I'm not tired, but maybe that's it. Maybe that's the problem. My brain is so gorgeously rested that it's just up to no good.
Speaker 3:I solemnly swear my brain is up to no good I don't think so, because even when you do not get some sleep, you can still be up to no good yeah but, yeah, so somebody else do that, though, and nobody else.
Speaker 2:Adhd and their brain just literally has to sing if anybody says something that it could be a song. I don't know why. It's really really bad this week, though for the viewers watching at home.
Speaker 3:Raise your hand.
Speaker 2:Yes, everybody in the room is like aye, but you've been, because Rowan's home at the moment. Rowan is my middle daughter and she's like, her brain is neuro-spicy like mine, and you've been getting a bit fed up with us this week, haven't you? It's like where should we put this? Where should we put this? And I'll say on the tree, because they're decorating the tree.
Speaker 3:Oh my God, it's like the obvious answers and I just want a yes or no answer. And then they have to get really sarcastic about it and I'm like I've just asked a normal question, but you've got a normal answer. No, it's not a normal answer. It's like I asked Rowan something like do you want a cup of tea? Do you not see I'm sick? You not say I'm sick? A simple yes can just go a long way, sometimes like yes, please, if you're being polite as well. Yeah, where do I put this bauble on the tree?
Speaker 3:I know that we're on the tree, like yeah, it's, yeah, struggles are real the problem is it's when it's two of you do you know one of you? It's like, oh god, all right, all right. And then it's like both of you and then you both laugh with each other and it's like, no, don't laugh, it's not funny. Like I thank God, I have my little sister, the youngest, youngest one. She gets me and just looks at me like I know, I know.
Speaker 2:Because it's normally either outnumbered it's normally two neurotypicals versus one or it's equal, but sometimes you are outnumbered.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and if I make one mistake, yesterday I said something. It sounded like a bit of a lisp. My God, I didn't hear about it till the end Like all night. All night Is it, is it? I'm like it was one mistake, hey, because Lomich's coming.
Speaker 2:He's a spicy. He's a neuro spicy as well, isn't he? Oh, it's gonna be a fun Christmas.
Speaker 3:I hope the three of you just wind each other up we don't. No, we have a great time.
Speaker 2:I really hope you just and you just go sarcastic little, but we really enjoy ourselves because we can all just let it hang out and just be really like guess who I'm hanging out with this Christmas?
Speaker 3:Jenna and. Jenna and the kittens. Well, you've decided, one of them is also no spicy.
Speaker 2:She is, she's. So I'm sorry, but she is touched by the tisms. She sits next to me, she doesn't sit on me, she looks at me upside down and she follows me everywhere. It's just like Rowan. Just like Rowan. What's new? That's so funny. Okay, anyway, completely digressed. We Completely digressed. We're probably about half an hour into the podcast by now. Hey, I'm time blind as well. So, huzzah, can you not see how much I can, but I can't judge how? Okay, I can see the time, but I can't judge. Yeah, I'm not like, actually blind.
Speaker 3:We should just do a have a chat with Gabby and Kate we do need to do some weird outtake material.
Speaker 2:So people can.
Speaker 3:People can just decide how maybe get Rowan on, maybe they'll understand. Do you know what we?
Speaker 2:should, but we don't have enough equipment. We need to do some podcast stuff.
Speaker 3:I'll bail out for that one that you two do. Yep, okay well, we should just do like what it's like to be neurodivergent yeah, that'd be a good one where people, just anyone, that's your division can complain on that'd be a good one, actually, from perspective of mother and child who deal with each other yeah, we're fine, we're chill with each other.
Speaker 2:We completely get it I'm happy for you yes, we're happy for each other. Anyway, my lovely, gorgeous daughter, what is the question for today?
Speaker 3:so this one is and I'm glad because I've actually wanted someone to submit a question like this for a while okay, cool. So fiona, hi, fiona is from australia. Ah, good day. By the way, not everyone tells me where they're from. I check the phone numbers, I google then what that phone number is from, because not everyone announces, so I then. So you stalk them. I yeah, when they submit their question on whatsapp, I see the phone number and then I go ooh, what's that?
Speaker 2:So you've researched them. You shouldn't say the word stalk.
Speaker 3:That's not me.
Speaker 2:I'm not doing a baby ring, do you?
Speaker 3:Awkward connotations. So yes, fiona is in her early 40s. Cool, she says she has no interest in sex anymore. Oh bless you. She has read that libido does change in perimenopause. In perimenopause, yes, but it is. But is it normal to also feel disconnected from herself? Oh yes. How can she explain this to her husband when even she doesn't know what's going on with herself? Yes, great question I'm glad this finally got yeah yeah, it really honestly, genuinely amazing question.
Speaker 2:Um, because it is something that we do need to talk about. Um, yeah, so, first and foremost, thank you for showing something really personal. I know it's, I know people don't know who you are, but it is still a really personal question, vulnerable question. So thanks for asking it because we do need to talk about it. Yeah, um, so many women do feel really hesitant to talk about libido because it's kind of like the elephant in the room in many ways. Um, it's very personal and I say it every single show, but you are not alone. This is a topic that needs to be spoken about again and again because it's such an important one and so many women in the and this can vary so, right, some women in their early 40s will be at the peak of their sexual, because we've talked about this before.
Speaker 2:You know, technically, a lot of women will peak sexually in their early 40s. However, and this is why she's like but I'm in my early 40s and my libido's just gone? Yes, and we do need to discuss why, Because if you're, you may go into perimenopause earlier than other women. So therefore you would. If you hit menopause early, therefore your perimenopause would come early. Yeah, you would therefore be in. You know your libido can get up and do one.
Speaker 3:But that's good news. At least she might go through a bit earlier. She might come out the other way. Yeah, the side of it earlier yeah, I mean it's.
Speaker 2:You know it swings around. That's how, um so many women can can go through what you're describing in their early 40s. So, if you know, it's not unusual. So, whatever, whether you're in your early 40s, your mid 40s or your late 40s, um, it's not unusual. For me, it kind of struck more towards late 40s. Yeah, um, I'm just being really, really honest because it's something that all of us or not all of us, the the majority of us will go through.
Speaker 2:So one of the obviously one of the biggest culprits here is hormones culprits. Well, yeah, I mean, it's not, it's something that none of us want to have, because it brings with it so many relationship issues. That's number one. But it also brings with it issues with ourselves. When you don't feel virile, you don't feel sexual, you don't feel like you've got any oomph, it can make you feel disconnected from yourself, which is what she talks about. So let's look at first about libido and then we'll look at kind of disconnection from herself. So, when we look at um hormones, when we look at libido, okay, we're looking at three hormones we're looking at estrogen, which we I mean you know them by now estrogen and progesterone but we're also looking at a lot of the time. We're looking at testosterone With libido, with libido Lack of, lack of, oh, okay, now women will think that testosterone is a metal hormone. So again we think of, you know, lifting weights in the gym.
Speaker 3:And we think of teenage boys.
Speaker 2:Teenage boys and steroids and stuff. Yeah, steroids and stuff. Yeah, but it's it. We actually have a lot of testosterone and it plays a big role in libido. Um, but these three hormones fluctuate and then they decline. So estrogen, as the estrogen drops, the biggest role that estrogen plays in your libido is that it makes your vagina very, very dry. So estrogen has a lot to do with you love this word you're moist in it.
Speaker 3:Moist in it, yeah moist.
Speaker 2:So when you're, when you lose the the kind of lubrication natural lubrication in your vagina, it makes sex really uncomfortable yeah and can actually become very painful.
Speaker 2:Plus, um, your vagina tissue and you, we're all grown-ups, we're all girls, but the the vagina wall, the vaginal tissue, is estrogen sensitive. So as you, as you age, as you go through the menopause, the vaginal tissue so actually internally becomes thinner, so it becomes. This is so much I feel. I really it's. I don't not want to have this conversation with you because it's about sex. I don't want to have this conversation because I don't want to burst your bubble.
Speaker 2:It's, it's actually not, it's okay I'm embarrassed about talking about sex, yeah because, I don't want you to know this, because it sounds like it's preparing me it's no, I don't want to prepare you, I want you to live in. It's like telling somebody there's no santa claus. You what I mean? It's like I want you to think that your vagina is going to be young forever, anyway. So the vaginal walls become thinner as well. So it's not just that, it's not, that's really funny, sorry.
Speaker 2:But it's not just that there's the dryness, it's actually the vaginal walls can become thinner. Now what can you do about that? There is something you can do. You can take topical oestrogen. So you can go to your GP or your senior nurse practitioner and you can ask for vaginal pessaries, oestrogen pessaries, and you can actually have topical oestrogen, even if you aren't supposed to take oestrogen orally or oestrogen patches because there's breast cancer in your family or you can't have estrogen for another reason there's there's studies that show that topical estrogen in the vaginal area doesn't cross over the um the threshold. So you can. You can go and ask your doctor can I still have estrogen? And they will advise on each individual case. So you can have topical estrogen that will help to lubricate the vagina and also help with the thinness of the vaginal walls. I've got my estrogen. I've got my hrt review tomorrow, so we all have to have hrt reviews.
Speaker 2:So if you haven't had an hrt review for a while. This, how often you um, it depends on your symptoms. So I haven't had an hrt for a couple of years. I've noticed I I'm on quite a low, a medium dose of um oestrogen, so I've noticed that a few symptoms are creeping back in. I'm nearly, I'm going to be 51 in a few months. So I'm like, do you know what? I haven't had a review since I think I was 48 right I've noticed a few symptoms creeping back in, so I'm like it's time to.
Speaker 2:I'm going to up the level of estrogen. Um, because I haven't had a review for a while. Okay, so I'm just going to go and see the doctor, um do you take hrt until you've hit menopause?
Speaker 2:you can take hrt for as long as you feel that it's worth. Oh okay, symptoms the people, the doctors, will tell you. Okay, so we're going off topic a little bit here. But the doc is an important question. I'm glad you asked it because the doctors will. Typical old-fashioned um information the doctors were given would be keep them on as on as low a dose as you can for as little time as you can, okay so get them on.
Speaker 2:You know, start them on hrt as late as you can, give them as low a dose as possible and get them off it as quickly as you can. That's old-fashioned medical advice. What they know now, and what the new nice guidelines tell us, is that you should stay on hrt as long as you see the benefits okay. Okay that HRT is one of the things that helps women's hearts the most, and heart disease is the number one killer of women in the UK. Oh, wow, I didn't know that, yeah, not cancer, heart disease, wow.
Speaker 2:And it helps our hearts to stay. Hrt just Eastern, in general, keeps our hearts younger and it helps with inflammation inflammation which is one of the leading problems when it comes to heart disease. So as long as you're seeing the benefits, you could stay on it until you die, like there's no re. There's nothing that says you have to stop hrt.
Speaker 2:It's your personal choice so as long as you're seeing the benefits. It helps your joints. I mean, there's other things that help you, don't you? I'm going to bang on about collagen, but whatever you, whatever your body has had, that helps it, why not replace it? So, collagen you have had loads of collagen your body replace the collagen. Um, estrogen your body's have loads of estrogen. Replace the estrogen. Those are the things that your body's always had and has kept it young. Keep going with them. My opinion, personal opinion you should do your research and figure out what you want to do. Just me so okay, so oestrogen can help with vaginal dryness, um, and so you can play it topically. It can also keep the tissue down there young testosterone plate. So that's the oestrogen. In terms of it's almost like the mechanics of sex, yeah, like if your, if your vagina is really really dry and and sex is really really painful, even if your body, even if your mind is in the mood, your body is going to send signals saying, oh, it's for business right are you with me?
Speaker 2:yeah, even if you're thinking, oh, you know, your body will be like no yeah I know, because one of the signals that your body wants intimacy is down there, and if down there doesn't do anything, why would you feel in the mood? Yeah, you're not going to, are you? Yeah, so you've got to sort that bit out if you want to, again personal choice.
Speaker 2:Now, when we come on to desire, we're talking testosterone. Testosterone is has a key role for men and women and a decline in testosterone means that the spark is gone, so that that kind of like oh la, is testosterone Now you cannot. We've had this conversation before. Testosterone is not available in the UK for women. On the NHS. You can get a private subscription description, sorry which you can apply for online and you can do a test and if you've had your entire womb, womb uterus and ovaries removed, you can technically get um a subscription. I can't say it's a prescription. Yeah, um, for male testosterone. It does bring with it other problems, like it could cause weight gain. Yeah, it could cause adult acne, it could cause male pattern baldness, so you do need to be really, really careful. It's, you know it's not. Yeah, um, and that's the problem with the male testosterone, because you need to microdose. Um, because it's a lot. It's very, very strong.
Speaker 3:It's too strong for women, yeah, so so if you can get it privately, it can they'll regulate it for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean you've got more chance of getting a more accurate dose, because it's designed for women so it's, it's more chance you're going to get a more accurate dose.
Speaker 2:You can keep better control of the doses. It still carries with it the same yeah side effects, but you've got all potential. I don't want to say same side effects, potential side effects. Not everyone is going to have male pattern boredom. It's not everyone's going to have acne yeah, um, but I would. I would say, if you're going to go down the route of um testosterone, do have a test. Find out what your, what your levels are like first.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and it might be different for in australia yeah, and you might not need.
Speaker 2:And you might not need it. Yeah, you might not need testosterone. You need to find out what your levels are like. So that's number two with testosterone, and before you do that, I would try macaroon first.
Speaker 3:I was going to say, I was going to ask because there's a few women that have posted recently in our membership saying that macaroon has saved them. Their husbands are grateful that you've come out with macaroon.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so much macaroon is is like the thing that will stimulate um testosterone. So I would always say, try macaroon first. Um, it really is worth giving that a go before you get on the testosterone route. Um, it's one of the supplements that I always recommend to my women anyway, because it, you know it, it it boosts energy in general, mental alertness, because that's the thing that testosterone does. It boosts mental alertness, cognitive function. So I would say it's a good idea, before you get on the testosterone route, to to get hold of good quality macaroon.
Speaker 2:It's one of the supplements we sell a lot of in our lifestyle range um, if anybody wants to have a look at it, I'll put the the link to our lifestyle supplements, I think, is in the show notes. Yeah, um, but get hold of a good quality macaroon, like we have, like, like what we have, um, but it's worth trying that first. And the last one is progesterone. Falling progesterone can make you feel more anxious, more irritable, and that doesn't help with you connecting emotionally. Yeah, so, when you're feeling emotionally or physically, actually, but when you're feeling more anxious, more on edge, you tend to feel more disconnected from yourself, um, and that can put a hindrance on you sexually, because when you know when you're anxious, you're like just leave me alone, don't touch me, of course, piss off, basically. So, yeah, libido changes during perimenopause are really, really common, whether your feet, you know what you're feeling, unfortunately, is. I don't want to say it's a normal part of this stage of life, because it's common.
Speaker 2:Common.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Because it's not normal, because it's horrible, yeah, um, but it's a, it's very free, you know, yeah, common part, but the good news is you don't have to say it doesn't stay that way forever. Um, and those, those kind of hints that I've given you, are ways to feel more connected to your body, but feeling disconnected from yourself. I think in many ways is it worse. I don't know if it's worse but it's.
Speaker 2:It's something that, um again, is the hormonal changes will give you that feeling of being outside of your own self. I guess is is is very common it it impacts your sense of identity, it impacts your energy levels, it impacts your moods, but it also makes you feel differently about yourself, and some of that's physical again, and some of it's emotional and some of it's mental, um. So I say it a lot and I'll say it again it I think you have to recognize yourself as not being broken yeah because if you, if you look at yourself as broken, I'm broken, it doesn't work.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know there's something wrong. That's when the disconnection happens. You know, like I, I don't feel like how I used to feel. Therefore, something's wrong, something's broken.
Speaker 3:I'm not me anymore.
Speaker 2:Yeah Well, you can feel like you're not me anymore, but just accept that you're changing.
Speaker 3:Yeah, we did an episode about that and it was really good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah. What episode was it? Do you know?
Speaker 3:I think it was season one, episode 23.
Speaker 2:Okay, cool, I'm glad you have a clue, but I think if you understand that the you again it's the you that you were isn't coming back because you have changed. If it's a different season, it's a different chapter.
Speaker 3:Sorry, it's episode 20.
Speaker 2:Okay, cool, but it's a different chapter of your life and she's not coming back. But that's okay, because you've turned the page, you've gone on to a different chapter, perfectly okay. And if you come to peace with that, you'll do much better than just thinking you're broken, you're damaged, you know, and you're waiting for it to be mended.
Speaker 2:You will have heartache and that's when the disconnect happens, and I think that's when women say I don't connect with the new one yeah, because you're trying to make yourself feel like the old one, and that's when this, that's when you get disorientated, which is obviously completely understandable that the the important thing is to just come to peace with I'm a new version of myself. My life is a new version of my life. Um, I need to form habits and hobbies and rituals.
Speaker 2:I don't call them routines, you know I'm like, I don't like routines, because I don't like being told what to do every day and doing the same thing every day, but I have rituals that help, um, and be really, really compassionate to yourself, find out what works for you now. Yeah, so we have. We have rituals that we do every day around supplements. We have rituals that we do every day around mental health walks. Yeah, rituals that we have every day around food, skin nails, um affirmations, gratitude, journaling you.
Speaker 2:These are habits that you and I I mean, like you know we've developed, and these rituals are the foundations of good mental health and good physical health and as you transition through this phase, through perimenopause, because through intermenopause these are kind of like foundations and pillars that will really, really help you and it's just knowing what's there to support you. So I I do yoga, because yoga's I I mean like when I was younger, boxing, hockey, tennis, tennis anything where you could hit someone or something was what.
Speaker 2:I did because I'm I'm a I used to be quite violent is the wrong word, I think. Aggressive, very built-in, powerful, yeah. But now I'm a bit more chilled. I'm a bit kind of like, a bit of a yogi, bit kind of like a yogi yeah, but you have to find the new you and then just say, and that's okay but how can she explain these things to her husband?
Speaker 2:right. So first of all, I think it's okay to understand that you don't have the answers yet and to communicate that to him, so share with him this episode yeah, share with him this episode and then be honest but gentle.
Speaker 3:So an episode four season one yeah.
Speaker 2:So say to him something like I love you and I want to feel close to you, but I've been disconnected from myself recently and I don't know why yeah so that's really, first of all, diffusing the whole thing. So just straight off the bat, he'll just go. Oh my God, because you're saying straight off the bat, this hasn't been about you. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Okay, because he's secretly worried that you're leaving him or that you've had enough of him or you just don't find him sexually attractive anymore. So, straight off the bat, I love you and I want to feel close to you. But I've, I've felt, I've been feeling disconnected from myself. I don't know why, but I've learned that it's really common for women in perimenopause to experience changes in libido, to feel different about themselves, and I think that's that might be what's happening to me, and if you say that straight away, he'll get okay some of the women in our perimenopause group and this was really.
Speaker 3:I thought this was amazing and what they said was amazing about it that they've explained it to their husbands, but they give them different kinds of intimacy, different kinds of attention. Yeah, cuddling on the sofa.
Speaker 2:Yeah, holding his hand and this is what we said before. It's really important just to understand that he's he's still a human being that needs physical touch. So even if it's just you know, when he's standing there talking to him, just like rub his back or just you know any, it can be anything.
Speaker 2:Hold hands with him in the car or just you know, sit next to him on the sofa but and explain to him. It's you know it's important to reassure him this and explain to him. It's you know, it's important to reassure him. This isn't about your relationship, it's not about him personally, it's not about what's going on, it's about you and your body and your mind. And just so he doesn't feel it's about him or it's a rejection of him, but then just you can also explain to him. I'm just still figuring this out. I I want, can we work on this together and maybe connect in other ways? I'd really love to spend quality time with you and if you're frightened because I think women have this secret fear that if you're, if you're intimate with him in other ways, like even if it's just cuddling- or holding hands, that he will then think it's leading to something else yeah you can explain that to him.
Speaker 2:Just say you know, my fear is that if we cuddle, then you'll think that it's leading to something else and I just I need to figure stuff out at the moment and I need to be more aware of my body and my limitations and what I actually can do and not do and stuff before we do that. So is it okay if we just cuddle? Is it, is this okay? And and explain that to him rather than never, because his fear will be that you will never cuddle again, that he will never have human contact again, because women will cuddle with their kids, yeah, or cuddle with their female friends, or cuddle with their parents or their pets, or their pets. I mean like, for god's sake, how many cuddle cuddles do we have a day? But even with me, with my horses, like I will cuddle my horses, but men may only cuddle with their partners yeah, so if so if you don't cuddle with them, they may fear that they'll never have human contact ever again.
Speaker 2:Can you imagine how sad that would feel, that would? Be like really like oh, my God. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like that would be actually quite devastating. I would think it's a valid fear. It is a valid fear. So I think, include him in the process. A valid fear, it is a valid fear. So I think, including include him in the process, open up the conversation in a way that invites conversation and support rather than defensiveness, and then just make sure that you, you do take proactive steps to, to reconnect with yourself so like prioritize self-care, um do things like journaling, like walking, like um creative things, about nurturing yourself, is really good yeah, um, that was well put and then just understand your body.
Speaker 2:Um, if you haven't already found our free group on facebook, come find us. It's perimenopause. Oh, my brain, brain fog happened there. Perimenopause with Kate Grosvenor Come find us. Very empowering group.
Speaker 3:Lovely women.
Speaker 2:Lovely, lovely women and start learning what's happening to your body. Support your hormones as well. Come fight, figure out. Come talk to us about supplements, about managing stress. If you want to know more about mindset, have a look at our Beautiful Mindset membership. That's a really good place to start for just understanding that. Start with understanding the basics of mindset. That's a really good place there, because mindset and hormones and supporting yourself is really really important right now. And just understand again you're. What you're experiencing is more common than you know. Um, try and navigate it with kindness to yourself, curiosity, if you can, and it's just take it as a chance to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level. Um, yeah, and just take support from people if you can, don't be afraid to reach out. It can actually become a really empowering time. Yeah.
Speaker 2:If you understand it's a new chapter and be patient with yourself, lean on loved ones and professionals. You didn't sing, then I didn't sing.
Speaker 3:That's exactly what I was going to sing when you're strong.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, you didn't sing, then I didn't sing. That's exactly what I was gonna sing. Yeah, exactly, um. Anyway, listen, if you're feeling the same as fiona, just please know you're not alone. Changes in libido and feeling disconnected are very normal, but they're also not just something you have to accept. There are steps that you can take to feel more like you again. Yeah, and as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in our group, if you're on in our group in facebook, or you can whatsapp us on the number below in the show notes. Thank you so much for any of your questions and have a beautiful week, my darlings. We will speak to you soon. Bye. Thanks for joining us today on the uncomplicated perimenopause podcast.
Speaker 3:We hope you found this episode helpful and inspiring, don't forget if you have any questions or topics you'd like us to cover, you can reach out through our perimenopause group or on whatsapp.
Speaker 2:for more information on my coaching, perimenopause supplements, books or upcoming events, please visit wwwkatebrovnercom.
Speaker 3:and if you've enjoyed today's episode. Please subscribe, rate and review our podcast. It really helps us reach more listeners, just like you, until next time.
Speaker 2:Remember, perimenopause doesn't have to be complicated. We're here to help you every step of the way. Stay uncomplicated Bye.