So many women hit midlife and suddenly find themselves whispering about things they never thought they'd struggle with, like desire, dryness, disconnection, or feeling like a stranger in their own body. That quiet discomfort adds up, and it can take a real toll on intimacy and self-confidence. In this episode, we start talking about what's actually going on with your hormones, your libido, and your relationships, so you can finally get clarity instead of guessing.

Gabriella Espinosa, a Menopause Advocate, Women's Health and Sexual Wellness Coach, and Host of Pleasure in the Pause, joins me and immediately brings this grounded mix of wisdom, humor, and real-life experience. She opens up about her own perimenopause journey and why understanding your anatomy, pleasure points, and changing hormones is a total game-changer. We talk about how to speak up with your partner and your doctor in a way that feels honest and not awkward.

You'll hear simple, practical ways to reconnect with your body, rebuild desire, and shift the narrative around menopause from "something to survive" into something that actually expands your confidence. Gabriella shares how this stage of life can sharpen your wisdom, deepen your pleasure, and even make you feel sexier than you expected. If you've been craving a more open, empowering take on sexual wellness in your 40s, 50s, and beyond, this conversation is for you. And before you go, grab my Free Holiday Recipe Guide, 29 pages of hormone-friendly Keto-Green dishes that help you enjoy every festive bite without the crash, bloat, or guilt, available at dranna.com.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:01:54] Cost of silence in intimacy.

[00:06:48] Midlife sexuality and pleasure.

[00:09:40] Self-discovery through sexual anatomy.

[00:12:11] Bodily awareness and sexual desire.

[00:16:35] Intimacy and pleasure anatomy.

[00:22:14] Pleasure exploration in midlife.

[00:26:49] Menopause as an invitation.

[00:30:06] Sexual awakening in later life.

[00:32:10] Redefining midlife women's roles.

[00:35:52] Healing a body you hate.

[00:39:30] Unsilencing women's conversations.

Memorable Quotes:

"I discovered that midlife isn't the end. It isn't the end of pleasure. It's really a new, exciting chapter." [00:10:30] – Gabriella Espinosa

"Your pleasure isn't lost. It may be buried under layers of stress, shame, or disconnection, but it's not gone." [00:33:19] – Gabriella Espinosa

Links Mentioned:

Free Holiday Recipe Guide: https://dranna.com/holidayrecipes

Connect with Gabriella Espinosa:

Website: https://www.pleasureinthepause.com

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

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

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

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

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

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com