Hormone therapy helps. But it does not fix everything.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Diane Mueller to break down why libido often fades again after the initial HRT boost.

You learn why desire is multi-layered, why lab work often misses real problems, and how blood flow, thyroid health, nervous system overload, pelvic floor function, and relationship dynamics all shape your sex drive.

We also talk about erotic repair, redefining sex, rebuilding safety, and why pleasure is a health practice, not a luxury.

If you feel frustrated, broken, or confused about why hormones did not solve your libido, this episode gives you clarity and next steps.

Timestamps:

0:00 Celebrating 150 episodes and why none of us are broken

1:22 What Taboo To Truth is really about

2:30 Why HRT feels great. Then libido disappears

5:05 Chronic problems need more than one fix

8:10 Why standard labs miss real issues

11:05 Thyroid testing mistakes and energy loss

13:30 Blood flow inflammation and nervous system disruption

16:10 Pelvic floor myths women and men get wrong

18:40 Blood sugar and numbness in arousal

20:20 Desire mismatch and getting back on the same team

22:55 Erotic repair and redefining what sex means

25:40 Presence pleasure and why women dissociate

28:10 Orgasms stress regulation and vibrators

30:30 Libido as a health warning and where to start

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

About the Guest:

Dr. Diane Mueller, ND, DAOM, Board-Certified Sexologist (American Board of Sexology), is your go-to libido expert who’s been through the trenches herself. With dual doctorates in Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, she founded MyLibidoDoc.com and hosts The Libido Lounge podcast to help women rediscover their pleasure and feel alive again.

Connect with Dr. Diane Mueller:

Website: https://mylibidodoc.com

Instagram:

You were probably taught to fear masturbation. I see this every day in my work with men and women. The problem is not self pleasure. The problem is guilt, misinformation, and nervous system disconnection. In this episode, I break down the biggest masturbation myths and explain what actually supports sexual health, erections, confidence, and pleasure after 50. I talk about porn use, erectile dysfunction, testosterone fears, technique, frequency, and shame. I also explain why orgasms act like pelvic floor training and why mindful self pleasure strengthens partner sex instead of replacing it. This is a no shame conversation about choice, awareness, and reclaiming pleasure as part of wellness.

In this episode:

0:00 You were lied to about masturbation

0:28 What masturbation is really linked to

1:10 Why people feel guilt and anxiety around self pleasure

1:55 Orgasms and pelvic floor health

2:35 Why masturbation supports sexual function

3:05 Myth one porn is the problem

3:55 Myth two masturbation causes erectile dysfunction

4:40 Myth three guilt is harmless

5:15 Myth four technique does not matter

5:55 Myth five masturbating too much

6:25 Testosterone fears and final reframing of pleasure

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Mindful Masturbation For Men: Last Longer, Feel More, Perform Better with Kevin Anthony | Ep. 129 https://youtu.be/abRZQbLYaJ0

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website:

In this episode, I sit down with Jim Benson to break down what multi orgasmic pleasure really means for men and why most men never learn it. Jim explains the difference between ejaculation and orgasm, why pleasure does not need to end with climax, and how presence, relaxation, breath, and body awareness change everything. They explore how men learn these skills over time, why partners play a powerful role in success, and how aging does not signal the end of sexual growth. This episode reframes male pleasure as something expansive, learnable, and deeply connected to emotional safety and presence.

In This Episode:

00:00 Why men believe orgasm equals ejaculation

02:10 What multi orgasmic pleasure really means

04:05 Why relaxation creates more sensation

06:20 Breath and body awareness explained

08:30 Orgasms without erection or ejaculation

10:40 How partners support the learning process

13:00 Practicing alone versus with a partner

15:10 How long it takes to feel real change

17:25 Aging, presence, and deeper pleasure

19:40 Why sexual growth does not end with age

21:10 Final thoughts and resources

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

About the Guest:

Jim Benson has dedicated his life to helping men of all ages and backgrounds love themselves more fully.

For the past 20 years, he has been coaching guys to “breakthroughs in the bedroom.” His Awakened Masculine program blends best practices across disciplines to create a powerful transformative environment for men to experience more personal pleasure and relationship satisfaction.

Connect with Jim Benson:

Website: https://awakenedmasculine.com/

Use code KBIG50 to save $50 off The Multi-Orgasmic Lover course

https://awakenedmasculine.com/program/

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life,

If you want a clear breakdown of your choices, download the ED Options Cheat Sheet with links and exclusive discounts here: https://www.taboototruth.com/ed-options-cheat-sheet

In this episode of Taboo To Truth, I talk honestly about erectile changes in midlife and beyond. I explain why ED happens, why it often starts with blood flow and heart health, and why silence and shame delay real solutions.

I cover what most men are never told.

Why Viagra and Cialis stop working for some men

Why guessing and self adjusting doses backfires

How lifestyle shifts protect erections instead of punishing you

What actually works when pills fail

The truth about pumps, rings, shockwave therapy, hormones, injections, Botox, fillers, and implants

Erectile dysfunction is not a moral failing. It’s a health signal. And there is no stage where options disappear.

In This Episode:

0:00 Erectile changes are normal and treatable

0:58 Why erections change with age

2:05 Blood flow, heart health, and ED

3:10 Why pills stop working

4:05 Pumps and rings explained

5:00 Shockwave therapy and hormones

6:05 Injections, Botox, fillers, implants

7:30 The real takeaway and next steps

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram:

Pre-order 'The Bedroom Gap' here: https://mariasophoclesmd.com/book

If you think menopause is tough. Wait until it collides with andropause. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Maria Sophocles to talk about what she calls “The Bedroom Gap”. I wanted this conversation because I see how often couples drift apart in midlife, not from lack of love, but from lack of understanding and communication. We talk about what really changes in women’s bodies during menopause and in men’s bodies during andropause. We dig into pain, erectile changes, loss of desire, and why avoiding sex often creates more damage than addressing it directly. We focus on how couples can stay connected by redefining sex, learning together, and talking honestly.

In This Episode:

00:00 Menopause Meets Andropause

02:10 Introducing the Bedroom Gap

05:40 How Midlife Body Changes Affect Sex

09:15 Why Couples Stop Talking About Intimacy

13:00 Pain, Erectile Changes, and Sexual Avoidance

17:10 Redefining Sex Beyond Intercourse

20:45 Pleasure, Health, and Longevity

24:20 How to Start Hard Conversations About Sex

28:10 What Supportive Partners Do Differently

31:40 Overlooked Menopause and Andropause Symptoms

34:30 Final Takeaways and Book Mention

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

About the Guest:

Dr. Maria Sophocles has been a leader in women's healthcare for nearly 30 years, specializing in menopause management and female sexual health. She founded Women’s Healthcare of Princeton, a progressive gynecology practice, and has been a visiting professor and NIH researcher in Switzerland. A board-certified ob/gyn and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, she has pioneered innovative treatments, including CO2 laser therapy for vaginal atrophy. She serves as CMO of EMBR Labs, Director of Women’s Health Services for Curia Health, and is an advocate for women’s health policy. Dr. Sophocles is also an author, TEDWomen2023 speaker, and frequent media contributor on women's health topics.

Connect with Dr. Maria Sophocles:

Website:

Today I’m talking about a topic people whisper about or judge from the outside. Cuckolding. And no, it’s not what you’ve been told. In this episode, I break down what cuckolding actually is, how it differs from hotwife and stag vixen dynamics, and why the women drawn to it are not insecure or desperate. I explain the psychology behind it, the role of power and consent, and why this dynamic only works inside emotionally healthy relationships. This is a conversation about sexual autonomy, confidence, and telling the truth about desire.

In This Episode:

00:00 Why this topic makes people uncomfortable

00:40 What cuckolding actually means

01:25 Cuckolding vs hotwife and stag vixen

02:10 The stereotype versus the research

03:05 The traits women in this dynamic share

04:05 Sexual autonomy and power

05:00 The question we should be asking

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

Substack:

You think you know how to please a woman. Most men miss the basics.

I sit down with Certified Intimacy Coach, Surrogate Partner & Somatic Intimacy Guide and & Virgin Island TV Expert Andre Lazarus to talk about what men misunderstand about sex, connection, and their own bodies. We cover emotional vulnerability, masculine and feminine energy, erectile dysfunction, rapid ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, and why performance pressure kills pleasure. Andre shares what actually helps men reconnect with sensation, desire, and confidence in bed. This conversation goes deeper than technique. It starts with presence.

In this episode:

00:00 Why most men miss the basics of intimacy

01:10 Welcome to Taboo To Truth

02:05 Introducing Andre Lazarus

03:40 From U.S. Marine to intimacy work

05:15 The biggest misconception men have about intimacy

07:40 Why vulnerability feels dangerous for men

10:10 Midlife dating and emotionally unavailable men

12:45 Masculinity, culture, and emotional shutdown

15:20 The little boy behind the tough exterior

17:40 Masculine and feminine energy in relationships

20:30 Who seeks this work and why

22:45 What surrogate partner therapy really involves

25:10 Attachment, endings, and rejection

27:30 Sexual challenges men bring into sessions

29:40 Practical tools to reconnect with the body

31:45 Rapid fire questions and closing thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

Connect with Andre Lazarus:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/comingcloserwithandre

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

Andre Lazarus is a somatic intimacy guide and trusted voice on relationships, sexuality, and embodied connection. A former U.S. Marine, he brings a grounded perspective to vulnerability and desire. He is known for his work as a professional surrogate partner on the UK series Virgin Island, where he helped participants navigate intimacy with safety...

A herpes diagnosis does not end your sex life. I break down what herpes really is, how it spreads, and why shame has no place in the conversation. I explain HSV-1 and HSV-2 in plain language, talk through real transmission risks, and share how antiviral medication and honest communication protect both partners. We tackle the biggest myths head-on and redefine what fulfilling sex looks like after a diagnosis. This is about facts, agency, and staying connected without fear.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome and the lie about herpes

00:28 What Taboo To Truth is about

00:55 The initial fear after diagnosis

01:25 Herpes is a virus, not a moral issue

01:55 What herpes actually is. HSV-1 and HSV-2

02:40 Asymptomatic shedding and why many people do not know

03:15 Outbreaks, triggers, and how common symptom-free cases are

03:45 Antiviral medication and risk reduction

04:20 The big dating truth about herpes

04:55 Why herpes scares people so much

05:20 Common misconceptions explained

06:05 Antiviral treatment options and daily suppressive therapy

06:55 Testing, sharing the episode, and closing message

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

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

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

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: