54. Your Hormones Are Wrecking Your Sex Life - Here's What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You

54. Your Hormones Are Wrecking Your Sex Life - Here's What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You

Your hormones are running your sex life — and most doctors aren’t telling you the whole story. In this episode of The Purple Passion Project, clinical sexologist and sex coach Dr. StacyFriedman sits down with Tia Bowden, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Hormone Specialist at Coastal Vitality and Anti-Aging in Delray Beach, Florida, for the hormone conversation midlife men and women have been waiting for. Whether you’re dealing with low libido, painful sex, zero energy, or a drive that has completely disappeared — this sexologist talk is going to change the way you think about what’shappening in your body. Tia and Dr. Stacy break down why testosterone matters for women, what the removal of the HRT black box warning means for you, how SSRIs, and opioids are quietly wrecking your hormone levels, what nitric oxide is, and more! In This Episode You Will Learn: •      Why testosterone is critical for women’s desire and wellbeing — and why many doctors aren’t testing for it •      What the removal of the HRT black box warning means and why it changes everything for women who’ve been afraid to try hormone therapy •      How SSRIs, opioids, and microplastics are quietly destroying hormone levels in both men and women •      What nitric oxide is, why it matters for sexual function, and how to test your levels at home •      What peptides like PT-141 are and how they’re being used to reignite desire when other options haven’t worked Guest Bio Tia Bowden is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Hormone Specialist endorsed by The Menopause Association, with 15 years of experience in primary care and additional specialty training in functional medicine, nutrition, and dietarysupplementation. She is the owner of Coastal Vitality and Anti-Aging, where she combines in-depth testing and hormone balancing protocols to get to the root of hormone dysfunction — improving and optimizing health and wellness for both menand women. After years of watching the traditional allopathic system disregard the importance of hormonally healthy patients, Tia became an agent of change — one lab panel at a time.  Connect with Tia Bowden: •      Website: www.mycoastalvitality.com •      Instagram: @CoastalVitalitySouthFlorida •      Facebook: Coastal Vitality Delray Beach •      Email: info@mycoastalvitality.com Host Bio — Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helpsmen and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come with midlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: 🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond the surface. Try it free for a week. 📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroomresults. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. 💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) 📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. 🎁 Free PDF library to include: 10 Things They Really Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours at drstacyfriedman.com 👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

53. Size Doesn't Matter...Until It Goes Wrong

The male enhancement industry has exploded—and so havethe dangers. In this eye-opening episode of The Purple Passion Project, Dr. Stacy sits down with board-certified anesthesiologist and male enhancement expert Dr. Joel Pash, co-founder of Upsize Clinic and faculty member at Stanford University.  In this episode, you’ll learn: •      Why demand for male enhancement procedures has surged nearly 20% year-over-year since 2018 •      The most dangerous trends in the industry right now including DIY pumps, black-market fillers, and unqualified providers •      How botched procedures cause nerve damage, chronic pain, and permanent complications •      What red flags to watch for when choosing an enhancement provider •      Why pain management is critical—and what safe, painless procedures actually look like •      The questions every man should ask before undergoing any procedure •      How to find medically sound, effective non-surgical options Guest Bio — Dr. Joel Pash 🩺 Meet Dr. Joel Pash—the man California trusts to do the work most doctors won’t even talk about. Dr. Joel Pash is the co-founder and medical director of Upsize Clinic’s San Francisco location, and one of the most experienced male enhancement specialists in the state. With more than 1,500 successful procedures under his belt—from nerve blocks and epidurals to penile injections—Dr. Pash brings a rare combination of clinical precision and genuine compassion to an industry that desperately needs both. A board-certified anesthesiologist with a residency from the University of Calgary and his medical degree from Midwestern University (2006), Dr. Pash has published academic work on pain management and operating room systems. He’s on staff at several Northern California hospitals and is a faculty member at Stanford University—bringing academic rigor and real-worldexpertise to everything he does. His approach is unlike anyone else in the field: he spends over an hour with each patient, building trust, understanding the fullpicture, and making sure enhancement is truly the right path. He understands that this isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. And he takes that seriously.  🌐 Website: upsizematters.com 📸 IG, YT, X: @upsizeclinic 📞 Contact (PR): madison@dalynmillerpr.com | (860) 204-7155 Host Bio — Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helpsmen and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come with midlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] 🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community.Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond the surface. Try it free for a week. 📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroomresults. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. 💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) 📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. 🎁 Free PDF library to include: 10 Things They Really Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours at drstacyfriedman.com 👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

52. We Need to Talk About Sex-But We Never Do

This is the episode couples forward to each other without saying a word — because sometimes a link says everything you've been trying to figure out how to say.  If you and your partner have drifted — if the sex has slowed down or stopped, if every conversation about intimacy turns into a fight, if one of you wants more and the other has shut down — this episode is the conversation you've been avoiding. And it might be exactly the one you need. Clinical Sexologist and Certified Sex and Intimacy CoachDr. Stacy Friedman answers the questions couples are too afraid to ask each other: how to talk about sex without it blowing up, what to do when desire is completely mismatched, how to come back from years of rejection and resentment, how to ask for something new in bed without your partner feeling like they'renot enough, and what to do when you want to fix things but your partner won't engage. This is coaching, not therapy. Practical, passionate, andbuilt for couples who are not ready to give up on their sex lives — or each other. As a sexologist and sex coach with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Stacy brings the kind of honest conversation that actually moves the needle.   In This Episode: •      How couples drift into roommate territory — and how tofind your way back •      What to do when one partner wants sex and the otherdoesn't •      How to start the sex conversation without it turninginto a fight •      Why scheduled sex fails and what actually works instead •      How to ask for something new without making your partner feel inadequate •      Skill building in the bedroom — where to start when you don't know where to start •      What to do when you're the only one trying to fix things Host Bio Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helps men and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come withmidlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: •      👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [ linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] •      🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond thesurface. Try it free for a week. •      📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroom results. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. •      💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) •      📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. •      🎁 Free PDFs including: 10 Things They Really Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours athttps://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/] •      Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok,Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

51. What's Actually Going On With Men in Midlife

00:00 Introduction02:14 The Men's Episode — One Year Anniversary10:12 Is Male Menopause Real? Understanding Andropause18:28 Why Men Lose Their Sex Drive in Midlife28:12 Emotional vs Physical Connection — Why You're Wired Differently35:47 Closing Thoughts — What Men Need to Hear Nobody is talking about what midlife really does to men'ssex lives. Today, Dr. Stacy is. This is the episode for the men who have noticed somethingshifting — in their drive, their performance, their confidence — and have had no idea where to turn. And it's for the partners who love them and are trying to understand what's going on. Clinical Sexologist Dr. Stacy Friedman answers the questions men are too embarrassed to Google, let alone ask their doctor: what really happens to testosterone after 40, whether male menopause is an actual thing, how to break the anxiety-performance cycle, why emotional and physical connection work so differently for men and women, and how to stop the slow drift into a sexless relationship before it becomes the default. No guest. No script. Just Dr. Stacy and the most honest conversation about men's sexual health in midlife you're going to find anywhere. In This Episode: •      What actually happens to testosterone, erections, anddrive after 40 •      Is andropause (male menopause) a thing — and what to doabout it •      How to break the anxiety-performance cycle that killsconfidence •      Why men stop initiating and how to find your way back •      The emotional vs. physical connection divide and how tobridge it •      What your partner means when she says she needs moreintimacy Resources Mentioned: •      Men's Intimacy Uncovered (Pleasure Playbook) —https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks] •      The Vibe Tribe Community — https://drstacy.mn.co/ [https://drstacy.mn.co/] •      Free 30-Minute Private Intimacy Consult — https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/30-min [https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/15-min] •      Adult Products Shop — code PURPLE for 20% off https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs] •      Free Access to the PDF Library: https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/]   Host Bio Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Private Intimacy Advisor, Clinical Sexologist, Sex/ Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helps men and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come withmidlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: •      👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] •      🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond thesurface. Try it free for a week. https://drstacy.mn.co/⁠ [https://drstacy.mn.co/] •      📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides forreal bedroom results. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks⁠ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks] •      💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs⁠ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs] •      📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/30-min⁠ [https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/15-min] •      🎁 Free PDF library including: 10 Things TheyReally Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours athttps://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/⁠ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/] •      Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok,Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

50. Why Don't I Want Sex Anymore? The Desire Episode

One year. Hundreds of questions. All of it unfiltered.Today Dr. Stacy goes solo for a special anniversary Q&A episode answering the question she gets asked more than almost anything else: Why don't I want sex anymore? If you're a woman in midlife who has noticed your desire disappearing — and you don't know if it's hormones, your relationship, aging, or just the new you — this episode is the honest conversation your doctor probably isn't having with you. Dr. Stacy breaks down the questions her community has beenasking: the difference between hormonal and emotional low desire, what perimenopause actually does to your sex drive, the truth about responsive vs. spontaneous desire, why avoiding affection might be hurting you more than you know, and whether desire can actually come back after years of feeling nothing. No guest. No script. Just Dr. Stacy, your questions, and the kind of honest conversation that makes you feel finally, completelyunderstood.   In This Episode: •       Why low desire in midlife is not the same as losingyour sexuality forever •       How to tell the difference between hormonal, emotional,and relational desire issues •       The perimenopause-libido connection nobody warned youabout •       Responsive desire vs. spontaneous desire — and why thischanges everything •       What it means when you avoid affection to avoid sex •       How to rebuild your sense of self and sexuality whenyour body is changing •       Whether desire can actually come back — and what ittakes Host Bio  Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helpsmen and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come with midlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blendingexpertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: 🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond the surface. Try it free for a week. 📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroomresults. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. 💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) 📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. 🎁 Free PDF library or resources: grab yours at drstacyfriedman.com 👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.