What actually is libido? Why do so many couples end up with mismatched desire? And why are so many people quietly convinced their relationship is the only one struggling with sex?

In part one of this conversation, I sit down with Georgina Whelan from Sexual Psychology to talk about the reality of sex and desire in long-term relationships  without the cringe, the wellness fluff, or the unrealistic movie version of intimacy.

Georgina shares her journey from mental health nursing into sex therapy, and we unpack low libido, sexual desire discrepancy, painful sex, “the ick,” resentment, selfishness in bed, and why libido is about far more than hormones alone.

We also talk about the sexual scripts men and women grow up with, how men can also be harmed by patriarchal expectations around sex and performance, and the desire/arousal scale that explains why couples are often mismatched without even realising it.

This episode is thoughtful, funny, and deeply reassuring for anyone who has ever wondered whether their sex life is “normal.”

Stay tuned because in part two, we get even more practical: talking to your kids about sex, sex toys, introducing novelty into long-term relationships, and the concept of “bread and butter sex.”

Find Georgina at https://www.sexualpsychology.com.au/

Whether you are in perimenopause, approaching menopause, or simply trying to understand your hormones, I've got you.

Read more about this episode at Medication Clarity Clinic, Kate's own medication education and telehealth consulting site: https://medicationclarity.com.au

Follow Kate for more no-nonsense health education at @prescribeorpass on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook.