Menopause, Hormones & Libido: What Every Woman Needs to Know | Dr. Rachel Rubin

Are you in your 40s or 50s and wondering why sex suddenly feels different—less comfortable, less pleasurable, or even painful? You’re not alone, and it’s not just in your head. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Rubin—a board-certified urologist and sexual health expert—to uncover the real science behind libido, vaginal health, hormones, and desire during perimenopause and menopause.

We explore how hormonal shifts affect libido, vaginal dryness, painful sex, arousal, and clitoral changes, plus the truth about vaginal estrogen, testosterone therapy, and why so many women suffer in silence. Dr. Rubin shares shocking insights into why menopause care is decades behind, the myths killing women's sexual health, and how we can reclaim pleasure and connection in midlife and beyond.

Whether you're experiencing low libido, recurrent UTIs, discomfort with intimacy, or just don’t feel like yourself anymore—this episode is a must-listen.

Topics covered:

• What Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) really means

• Why vaginal hormones are safe—even for breast cancer survivors

• Clitoral shrinkage & labia resorption explained

• The case for testosterone in women’s health

• Why vaginal estrogen can save lives (not just improve sex)

• The silent epidemic of untreated postpartum sexual dysfunction

📌 If you’re a woman in midlife—or a partner, clinician, or advocate—this is the sexual health conversation you didn’t know you needed.

Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

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

https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Discover the RATIONALE glow. Six Collections, each featuring a unique Complex of essential active ingredients for optimal skin health.

Luxury Australian Skincare - Shop RATIONALE and enter the code ‘YOU’ at checkout.

00:00 - Intro: What This Episode Covers

00:00:14 - Meet Our Hormone Health Expert

00:01:14 - Sexual Health Changes in Midlife

00:02:38 - Hormonal Shifts That Affect Libido

00:03:46 - Common Sexual Health Questions Answered

00:04:55 - Vaginal Discomfort After 40 Explained

00:06:56 - Myths About Vaginal Hormone Therapy

00:08:06 - Why Vaginal Hormones Are Often Needed

00:11:52 - The Cost of Recurrent UTIs

00:13:24 - Types of Vaginal Hormone Treatments

00:15:11 - Why Not to Stop Therapy Early

00:22:56 - Testosterone’s Role in Women’s Health

00:25:30 - The Research Gap on Testosterone

00:30:35 - What Is GUSL in Lactation?

00:34:19 - Sexual Health Advocacy and Research

00:35:22 - Menopause and Labia Minora Changes

00:39:44 - Understanding Clitoral Changes With Age

00:41:10 - Clitoral Adhesions: What Women Should Know

00:44:08 - Gaps in Sexual Wellbeing Education

00:46:27 - Sex and Midlife Relationship Dynamics

00:50:43 - Misconceptions About Hormone Therapies

00:57:20 - Best Vaginal Lubes and Devices

01:02:04 - Advice for My Younger Self

• menopause and libido
• vaginal estrogen safety
• perimenopause sexual health
• clitoral changes in menopause
• testosterone for women
• painful sex midlife
• GSM symptoms treatment
• vaginal atrophy solutions
• vaginal dryness in menopause
• hormone therapy for libido
• how to fix low libido after 40
• estrogen cream for menopause
• why does sex hurt after menopause
• hormone replacement therapy 2025
• midlife marriage and intimacy
• vaginal health postpartum
• best treatment for painful sex
• vaginal estrogen vs DHEA
• menopause podcast episode
• sexual health after breast cancer