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[00:00:00] Jenny Swisher: Welcome friends to this episode of the Sync Your Life podcast. Today, I have a message to the men out there, the spouses or significant others with steady state hormones, who are looking to improve their relationship with their wives or partners. You see, hormone literacy isn’t just for women. In a recent study with the Journal of Adolescent Health, 45 percent of males interviewed wished for more menstrual cycle education.

[00:01:20] Jenny Swisher: In the same study, when men were asked about menstrual periods, most respondents commented on negative mood changes, cramping. fatigue and vague hormonal changes, but a deeper understanding was few and far between. So on today’s podcast, I’m sharing how to better your relationship by understanding the female menstrual cycle and applying what you learn.

[00:01:40] Jenny Swisher: We call this hormone literacy, and it’s just as important for men as it is for women. I’ve had so many women ask for my husband to be a podcast guest. And while I’m working on it, I do know one thing. He probably understands the menstrual cycle better than any other man out there Because he edits my podcast and he works with me on this hormone health education business.

[00:02:00] Jenny Swisher: In my house Nearly everyone knows what phase of the cycle mom is in and it helps our young daughters Understand that women are not meant to be steady state hormones 24 7. Instead we have ebbs and flows, highs and lows, And it’s a beautiful thing. So consider this episode a CliffsNotes on the menstrual cycle.

[00:02:19] Jenny Swisher: We do not have steady state hormones like you. We fluctuate with high hormone phases and low hormone phases. Often, our moods and our energies correspond to those changes. When a woman starts her bleed, which is the beginning of her cycle, she’s ready to introvert. She likes to maybe binge a Netflix documentary or order in carry out.

[00:02:38] Jenny Swisher: She’s really into sweatpants 24 seven at this phase of her cycle. So maybe offer to bring her a heating pad or add electrolytes to her water and just chill for a few days. or give her the alone time that she’s likely craving. Once the bleeding has ended around day seven of her cycle, her estrogen will start to rise and bam, you’re back in business.

[00:02:58] Jenny Swisher: With this comes a rise in estrogen, boosting her libido, bringing out her extrovertedness. And it’s at this point in her cycle where she’s ready to socialize, go out on a date night. And she’s actually more likely to want sex. I actually get this question often. So it’s important to address it here. If you’re familiar with the five love languages, this phase is aptly named physical touch.

[00:03:19] Jenny Swisher: After ovulation, hormones take another fall. If she happens to be crying mid cycle for seemingly no reason, it’s just not the time for sex. I’m sorry, but you may have missed the boat, but don’t worry, another opportunity is coming. After ovulation, progesterone becomes queen, and it is her calming hormone.

[00:03:37] Jenny Swisher: She’s less likely to nag about the toilet paper roll being filled in this phase of her cycle because progesterone tames her down, boosts her sleep, and helps her ease into another high hormone phase of the cycle, this time though with progesterone in charge. This phase is perfect for quality time.

[00:03:54] Jenny Swisher: You’ll see by day 21 her progesterone and estrogen levels peak, raising her libido yet again. Though this time I want you to think boys to men in the bedroom versus the ludicrous in estrogen high phase. During this time in her cycle, you may find her nesting, cleaning closets, planning trips, and organizing.

[00:04:12] Jenny Swisher: During this time, offer snuggles and date nights in. Maybe make her dinner. Acts of service will be most appreciated here. And finally, pre period to menstrual bleed when the cycle starts again, most women can be a bit more irritable, brain foggy, especially in perimenopause, and tired. Love language in the form of gifts of self care like spa days or massages or back rubs are best, or in some cases, Even the gift of your absence, said with love.

[00:04:40] Jenny Swisher: Some people swear by their love languages, but I say, what phase of your cycle did you take the test? So consider this your CliffsNotes to a better relationship. Now, if your partner is on birth control, this unfortunately does not apply. Chances are, it could be making her feel crazy, or could also be affecting her pheromones for true sexual attraction.

[00:04:59] Jenny Swisher: Now trust me, PubMed backs me up on this. It’s a real thing that actually birth control can suppress natural sexual attraction. So while there is a place for birth control, we also know that a majority of women are using birth control for reasons other than contraception. Perhaps offer to join her on a functional wellness journey, but whatever the case, support her.

[00:05:19] Jenny Swisher: If all of this felt confusing to you, just start each day with, what do you need and how can I help? If your partner is in menopause and you made it, well, travel the world and celebrate, honey. And if you’re in perimenopause and your cycle is now a giant game of Clue.

[00:05:34] Jenny Swisher: Share this with your spouse or significant other, and if they’re the one to travel the world with you, they’ll understand and they’ll try to learn. Women are complex, but I beg to argue that’s what makes us beautiful. Complex, but not complicated. If you take the time to understand. The bottom line is to open the line of communication about her energy.

[00:05:55] Jenny Swisher: How is she feeling day to day, week to week? How can you support that or lean into that? In a sexual relationship, men do a lot of the leading. Knowing when to go for it and when to ease in can make all the difference. I’m telling you the women in my course who embrace this hormonal energy and its changes are optimizing their energy, feeling better for it, and are secretly wanting you to understand it too.

[00:06:17] Jenny Swisher: So thank you for taking the time to listen. Hormone literacy for all parties, please, because it is so, so needed. Thank you so much for tuning into this episode. All people need this information truly. It is my hope to deliver it in a way that makes sense, that’s applicable, and that improves your life and relationships, but most importantly, improves your energy.

[00:06:37] Jenny Swisher: Until next time, we’ll talk soon.