What happens when intimacy becomes painful… and you start to feel like you’re disappearing from your own relationship?

That’s where Nadia’s story begins — in the quiet, private heartbreak so many women experience in menopause but almost never talk about.

In this episode, we dive into her deeply human journey through:

✨ painful sex

✨ vaginal dryness

✨ burning and irritation

✨ loss of desire

✨ UTIs

✨ fear of intimacy

✨ guilt, shame, and feeling “less like a woman”

✨ and the quiet emotional withdrawal that happens when you’re suffering in silence

This is the part of menopause we don’t hear enough about — the part that affects identity, connection, relationships, and confidence at the deepest level.

And we talk honestly, openly, and gently about why this happens, including the science behind Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — the hormonal changes that affect the vaginal tissue, lubrication, pH, and arousal pathways.

You’ll hear:

• why this is medical, not personal

• why so many women think they’re “the only one”

• how declining oestrogen affects intimacy

• why fear and pain shut down libido

• how vaginal oestrogen can transform symptoms

• and the emotional relief that comes when women finally understand what’s happening

Nadia’s story isn’t about loss — it’s about getting her identity back, reclaiming pleasure, rebuilding connection, and discovering that intimacy isn’t over… it just needs support.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed, confused, or worried about changes in your sex life during perimenopause or menopause, I want you to hear this. You deserve truth, reassurance, and the chance to feel like yourself again.

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This conversation is gentle, honest, and a reminder that you are not alone — and you are definitely not broken.

The information in this podcast is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat or manage any health condition, and it does not replace a consultation with your own doctor or healthcare professional.

I am unable to offer personal medical advice through this podcast. Any decisions about your health, including treatments such as HRT, should be made in discussion with your clinician, who can consider your full medical history and individual circumstances.

If you have any concerns about your health, please speak with your healthcare provider. If you experience symptoms that could indicate an urgent medical issue, please contact NHS 111 or emergency services.