In this raw and empowering episode of Perimenopause Simplified, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked, yet powerful ways to support your health in midlife: sex.

From the hormonal magic of oxytocin to the emotional benefits of intimacy, I’ll share how good sex can actually help ease perimenopause symptoms—while also addressing the very real challenges modern couples face when it comes to connection.

I’ll also open up about a dry spell in my own relationship, and how we found our way back to each other. Whether your libido is MIA or you’re craving deeper connection, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn:

• How oxytocin release during sex can lower cortisol and reduce perimenopause symptoms
• Why connection and pleasure are essential forms of self-care in midlife
• The difference between responsive vs. spontaneous desire—and why it matters
• How shame, judgment, and silence impact intimacy in long-term relationships
• Real talk about what happens when couples stop making time for sex
• Simple ways to rebuild emotional and physical connection with your partner

Links mentioned:

The Difference Between Spontaneous and Responsive Sexual Desire

Vanessa Marin Therapy

Sex Talks Book

Vanessa Marin On Mel Robbins

Jake Woodard

Episode 56. Reignite Desire & Skyrocket Pleasure in Midlife with Susan Bratton

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14675803/

https://drlindseyberkson.com/oxytocin-new-hormonal-kid-clinical-block/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924933810701553

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987719312575

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23430983/

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

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FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

BOOK A CLARITY SESSION: Perimenopause Clarity Session

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, Claudia dives deep into vaginal health during midlife, an often overlooked but essential part of overall well-being. Learn how hormonal shifts impact vaginal tissue, pH, and infection risk, and get practical, evidence-based solutions to support comfort, confidence, and intimacy. Whether you're experiencing dryness, odor, or recurring UTIs, this episode breaks down both hormonal and non-hormonal tools that can help you feel like yourself again.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How declining estrogen affects vaginal tissue, moisture, and pH balance
• Why changes in pH can increase UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections
• The benefits and safety of vaginal estrogen for all women
• Non-hormonal options like DHEA, hyaluronic acid, and clean OTC products
• Key nutrients and supplements that support blood flow and tissue health
• How vaginal rejuvenation tools (like medical vibrators) improve circulation and elasticity

Links mentioned:

Ep. 62: Perimenopause + Your Pelvic Floor: Fix Leaks, Pressure & Pain w/ Christina Walsh, PT

Dr. Rachel Rubin

EWG Skin Deep

Glow Below

Nitric Oxide

Foria Wellness

Joylux Red Light

Mv.health

Sources:

Nitric Oxide Study

Vitamin E Study

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

Instagram

Facebook

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Website

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

BOOK A CLARITY SESSION: Perimenopause Clarity Session

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

On this week’s episode of Perimenopause Simplified, Claudia is joined by Christina Walsh, a New Orleans mama of two, physical therapist, published researcher, and cofounder of Tighten Your Tinkler–a pelvic floor rehab method designed specifically for women.

Christina knows firsthand what it’s like to live with pelvic floor dysfunction–and how to heal naturally, without kegels or invasive devices. Together, we dig into what every woman 35+ needs to know about pelvic floor health in perimenopause.

• What exactly is the pelvic floor and why it matters in your 40s+
• Common symptoms of a weak pelvic floor (i.e. bladder leaks, heaviness, pain, urgency)
• How hormone changes in perimenopause impact your pelvic floor
• The connection between pelvic floor health and intimacy
• Why Christina says kegels aren’t the answer (and what to do instead)
• Simple, non-invasive strategies to restore strength and function—at home

Whether you're dealing with leaks, pressure, prolapse, or pain during sex, this episode is for you!

Website: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com

Signature Program: Tighten Your Tinkler (Save $50 with coupon code: CLAUDIA)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tighten.your.tinkler/

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

Tighten Your Tinkler Quiz

10-minute Decompression Exercise

Squatty Potty

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Website

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

BOOK A CLARITY SESSION: Perimenopause Clarity Session

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

Feeling stuck, exhausted, or like your body is working against you in midlife? This episode is your tough-love wake-up call, because thriving in perimenopause starts with radical ownership.

I’m breaking down the patterns that keep women overwhelmed, inflamed, and waiting for “someday”, and offering a powerful invitation to take back your time, energy, and mindset–starting now.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why overwhelm is often a choice–and how to change it
• The hidden cost of people-pleasing and lack of boundaries
• How social media might be draining your energy and self-worth
• Common mindset traps that sabotage long-term progress
• What it really means to choose progress over perfection
• A powerful metaphor that will shift how you spend your time

⏰Today’s the final day to join The Perimenopause Method – enrollment closes TONIGHT!

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

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Website

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

BOOK A CLARITY CALL WITH CLAUDIA HERE

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

💗Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

Think perimenopause starts in your late 40s? Think again! Many women start experiencing subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) hormone shifts in their mid-30s. But doctors often dismiss these early symptoms. In this episode, Claudia breaks down why perimenopause begins earlier than you expect–and what you can do to start feeling better now.

We’re covering:

• Why perimenopause isn’t just about your period changing–it’s a whole-body shift
• The first signs of perimenopause (that most women overlook)
• Why conventional medicine ignores these early symptoms
• What’s actually happening in your body during this stage
• How to take back control so you don’t have to suffer through perimenopause

👉🏼Save Your Spot for Claudia’s FREE Masterclass on April 17th: 🔥 Energy, Mood & Metabolism: How to Fix the Top Perimenopause Struggles After 35! >>> RSVP HERE

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Website

👉🏼 BOOK A CLARITY CALL WITH CLAUDIA

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

In this week’s episode, Claudia addresses one of the BIGGEST frustrations women face–going to their OB/GYN for perimenopause help, only to realize they’re not as knowledgeable about hormones as we expect. Too often, doctors miss the full picture, leaving women dismissed and without real solutions.

We’re covering:

• Why your OB/GYN is great for pregnancy–but often clueless about perimenopause
• Why perimenopause isn’t just about estrogen and progesterone
• The common treatments doctors prescribe that don’t actually fix the root cause
• What you really need to do to start feeling better

👉🏼Save Your Spot for Claudia’s FREE Masterclass on April 17th: 🔥 Energy, Mood & Metabolism: How to Fix the Top Perimenopause Struggles After 35! >>> RSVP HERE

Source: https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/survey-shows-menopause-curriculums-lacking-in-residency-programs

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Website

👉🏼 BOOK A CLARITY CALL WITH CLAUDIA

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

Progesterone is one of the most essential hormones for women’s health. But after 35, you start to lose this amazing hormone. In this episode, Claudia dives into what you need to know about progesterone, why she believes most women over 35 should replace it, common questions she gets about progesterone, and more.

We covered:

• Symptoms of low progesterone
• Anovulatory cycles in perimenopause
• Why estrogen is not the enemy
• How stress can hinder progesterone
• Benefits Claudia experienced with progesterone HRT
• Misconceptions about progesterone
• Forms of progesterone
• To cycle or not to cycle progesterone
• And more!

Links mentioned:

Episode 32 with Carol Petersen

Ona’s Natural Progesterone

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Website

BOOK A CLARITY CALL WITH CLAUDIA

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

Jennifer Ragazzo is a Soul-Aligned Wellness Coach with over a decade of experience guiding women through profound transformation. With a background in psychology, teaching and coaching, she blends deep emotional and spiritual work with functional health, helping her clients reconnect with their bodies, release unprocessed wounds, and reclaim their vitality.

Jennifer’s expertise spans Integrative Nutrition, Applied Functional Medicine, and Naturopathy, but her work goes far beyond lab results and symptom management. She specializes in soul-based healing, addressing the subconscious patterns, emotional imprints, and energetic blocks that keep women stuck in cycles of fatigue, anxiety, and inflammation. By bridging functional wellness with spirituality, she helps women navigate midlife as a sacred journey–one of deep self-healing, truth, and expansion.

Through her Vibrant Rise Functional Wellness programs, she guides women to embrace healing as an act of divine alignment, integrating the mind, body, and soul, while leading with love as the foundation for all transformation.

In this episode, we covered:

• Why you may not be getting results even with a “healthy” lifestyle
• Subconscious patterns that hold women back from healing
• How unresolved trauma appears in midlife
• Why it’s difficult for women to slow down
• The imbalance of feminine and masculine energy
• The use of MDMA in addressing trauma

Resources:

Codependent No More

To connect with Jennifer:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.ragazzo

Substack: Soulful Living Community

Substack: Sacred Healing with MDMA Community

Website: www.jenniferragazzo.com

Podcast: https://www.jenniferragazzo.com/podcast

To connect with Claudia Petrilli:

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BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULT HERE

FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes

FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist

WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method

HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com

Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!