What happens to marriage when hormones shift?
For many women, midlife brings not only physical changes — but emotional distance, shorter tempers, and a quiet wondering: What happened to us?
In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with Brooke Davis, creator of Marriage in Perimenopause, to talk honestly about what’s really happening inside relationships during this season of life — and how to find your way back to connection, compassion, and understanding.
This conversation came straight from my own experience.
When my perimenopause symptoms began, after working in a high-stress hospital environment, I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I felt irritable, foggy, exhausted, and disconnected. My husband once said, “I just wish you were like you used to be,” and it broke me. Because I wanted that too.
Learning how much my hormones and nervous system were affecting my mood, my energy, and my relationships changed everything. And Brooke helped me see that clearly.
Together, we talk about:
✨ Why midlife can make relationships feel strained — and what biology has to do with it
✨ The “Estrogen Veil” and why little things suddenly feel so big
✨ How to communicate with your partner when brain fog and irritability take over
✨ The real reason libido changes — and how to rebuild intimacy naturally
✨ The emotional and practical tools that help couples reconnect
✨ Why this season can actually become a turning point toward deeper love and understanding
Brooke’s perspective combines relationship wisdom and hormone science in a way that brings instant relief — and hope.
Whether you’re married, dating, or simply trying to understand yourself better, this episode will help you see that you’re not broken. You’re just changing. And there’s a way through.
Connect with Brooke:
Instagram: @marriageinperimenopause
Check out her course The Hormone-Informed Midlife Marriage — a powerful resource for couples navigating this season together.
Connect with Rachel:
Website: RachelCartaRN.com
Instagram: @peaceinperimenopause
Grab the Partner Communication Guide mentioned in this episode — it’s a free resource to help you start these conversations with more clarity and compassion.
Get The Mood Shift Method to finally know what to do to navigate mood swings during perimenopause.
More articles to check out regarding relationships and lower perimenopause symptoms:
➡️ Cacioppo & Cacioppo, Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2014
➡️ Idiana HI et al., Menopause Research Journal, 2022;
➡️ Tadayon et al., Journal of Midwifery & Reproductive Health, 2024