Perimenopause, Brain Fog & Relationship Strain: What Every Woman (and Man) Needs to Know (Part 1)

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause, featuring insights from Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas.

So many women are silently struggling through perimenopause and menopause without realizing what’s actually happening to their bodies, brains, emotions, sleep, libido, and relationships. In this deeply honest and validating conversation, we sit down with Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas — founder of Tula Wellness, author of The Menopause Myth , and host of the Stay Juicy Podcast — to unpack what perimenopause and menopause REALLY feel like beyond the social media jokes and hot flash stereotypes. We talk about: brain fog and memory fears irritability and emotional overwhelm sleep disruption and anxiety libido changes resentment and relationship strain why so many women feel “dry,” disconnected, or unlike themselves how hormonal shifts affect the nervous system and emotional regulation why women are so often dismissed or misdiagnosed the emotional and identity shifts happening underneath the surface Tarah also shares vulnerably about her own experience navigating perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy, emotional reactivity, sleep struggles, and what finally helped her begin feeling like herself again. This conversation is honest, emotional, educational, and incredibly important for…

People in this episode

Hosts: EJ Kerwin, Tarah Kerwin

Guest: Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas

Topics covered

• perimenopause
• menopause
• relationship strain
• brain fog
• emotional regulation
• libido changes

Keywords

• perimenopause
• menopause
• brain fog
• relationship strain
• hormonal shifts
• emotional health
• sleep disruption

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tula Wellness

Books & works: The Menopause Myth, Stay Juicy Podcast

More episodes of Relationship Renovation: Why Couples Get Stuck & How They Find Their Way Back

• How to Support Your Partner Without Losing Yourself · September 11, 2026 · 22 min
• The Moment After: How to Reconnect After a Difficult Conversation · September 4, 2026 · 18 min
• Same Fight, Better Outcome: How Healthy Relationships Actually Change · August 28, 2026 · 19 min
• When Initiating Sex Starts Feeling Like Pressure · August 21, 2026 · 28 min
• You Don’t Need a Date Night to Feel Connected · August 14, 2026 · 14 min
• The Resentment Wall: Why We Keep Pushing Each Other Away · August 7, 2026 · 29 min