Episode 22, Women, Shame, And Sex

Cheryl Walker joins Kristin and Leigh to discuss the sexual issues facing women at midlife. The silencing of our sexual voice can lead to an inability to express desires, wishes to try new things, and can limit sexual satisfaction for both women in committed relationships and women post-divorce. Cheryl suggests three tips for women on the remake:

• Love your vulva: Examine it, know its beauty, love its power.

• Don't believe the hype: Ignore the many voices sending you messages that you internalize to your own detriment and sexual dissatisfaction. The ''hype" can be ideas about what you are "supposed to" like, not like, do, or not do.

• Find your sexual voice: This is the voice that is drowned out by the hype. This voice, when given its power, can lead you to sexual freedom, fulfillment, and yes-- fun.

Resources

Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski, Ph. D.

The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.

Pussy: A Reclamation by Regena Thomashauer