How can partners provide meaningful support during perimenopause and menopause?
Partners can provide meaningful support during perimenopause and menopause by focusing on open communication, empathy, and curiosity. Here at Alloy, we encourage couples to:
- Avoid assumptions: Instead of guessing what your partner needs or feels, ask open-ended questions and listen with empathy.
- Check in regularly: Simple daily check-ins like, “How are you feeling today?” or “Is there anything you need from me right now?” can make a big difference.
- Communicate about changes: Be transparent about mood shifts or symptoms, and reassure your partner that these changes are not personal.
- Hold space for each other: Listen to understand, not just to respond or agree. The goal is to support each other, not to comply or fix.
- Talk about intimacy: Even if it feels uncomfortable, create a safe space to discuss sex, pleasure, and body image. Remember, intimacy can look different during this time and that’s okay.
- Try shared exercises: For example, the “letting go” exercise—each partner writes down things impacting intimacy and things they hope for, then shares and discusses them together.
- Invite play and fun: Don’t let everything feel heavy. Find ways to enjoy each other and create new pathways to pleasure.
For a deeper dive into these strategies, check out our blog post: Sex, Relationships, & Peri/Menopause with Couples & Sex Therapist Marissa Nelson.
You might also enjoy the webinar with Marissa Nelson, which covers these topics in detail. Watch it on YouTube: Sex, Relationships, & Peri/Menopause Webinar.
Additionally, Dr. Kelly Casperson discusses how couples can navigate perimenopause together, focusing on communication and redefining intimacy. Watch the relevant chapter, “Navigating Perimenopause and Erectile Dysfunction as a Couple,” for practical advice.
If you’re interested in products that can help with symptoms like vaginal dryness or other menopause-related changes, explore our range of solutions on the Alloy website.
Supporting each other through perimenopause and menopause is about teamwork, understanding, and a willingness to adapt together.
This answer was created using the following resources: