Welcome to Episode 66 of the Emotional Eats Podcast!

 I love this spicy epsiode! Today we are talking about the often taboo subject of sex, but also about intimacy and relationships in midlife.

 My expert guest, Nikquan Lewis, is the Founder of Intimate Connections PLLC.  She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Relationship/Sex Therapist, Speaker, and Consultant. She provides individual therapy, couples therapy and sex therapy in Katy, Houston and all of Texas. Nikquan is well-equipped to guide others through life's complexities and her Sexual Health Certification in Sex Therapy further enhances her expertise.

 Nikquan's experience spans various domains, enriching her ability to assist individuals, couples and corporations. She's a featured expert in notable publications such as Essence, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour.

 Nikquan brings her expertise to discuss intimate topics affecting midlife women and couples. Drawing from both professional knowledge and personal experience, Nikquan offers valuable insights on navigating sexuality and relationships in midlife.

 Nikquan emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of desire, particularly for women over 40. She explains the concepts of responsive and spontaneous desire, highlighting that there's no "right" way to experience arousal. This knowledge can help alleviate shame and misunderstandings in relationships, especially as hormonal changes occur during perimenopause and menopause.

For women experiencing perimenopause, Nikquan stresses the importance of education and open communication. She encourages women in their late 30s and 40s to be aware of potential symptoms and to consult with their doctors about hormone testing. Nikquan also discusses practical solutions for common issues like vaginal dryness, including the use of lubricants and vaginal moisturizers.

 Addressing body image concerns common among midlife women, Nikquan advocates for self-love and positive affirmations. She encourages focusing on overall health rather than specific numbers, and finding ways to feel sexy and confident regardless of midlife body changes.

 For couples, Nikquan emphasizes the critical role of emotional safety in maintaining a healthy sex life. She introduces the concept of different types of intimacy - physical, emotional, experiential, spiritual, and intellectual - and how cultivating these can lead to better sexual connections for midlife couples.

 Nikquan also discusses the importance of redefining sex and pleasure, especially for women over 40. She encourages expanding the definition beyond just physical acts to include various forms of connection and intimacy. She shares her relationship and sex conversation cards as a tool to facilitate these important discussions between partners.

 Finally, Nikquan offers practical advice for midlife women to prioritize pleasure in their lives. 

Through her compassionate and knowledgeable approach, Nikquan provides midlife women and couples with valuable tools to enhance their relationships, embrace their sexuality, and live pleasure-filled lives.  

 Highlights:

Sexual desire and communication in relationships. (0:06)

Perimenopause, body image, and self-love. (6:36)

Sexual intimacy, communication, and connection. (14:48)

Intimacy, sex, and pleasure in relationships. The difference between intimacy and sex. (23:49)

Intimacy, pleasure, and relationship growth for women. (32:39)

Connect with Nikquan Lewis:

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/intimateconnectionspllc/

Website:  https://intimateconnectionspllc.com/

4 week transformative virtual couples intensive for couples that want to strengthen their connection and take their intimacy and sex lives to the next level within an intimate setting as it is only open to 5 couples.

Transformation Series (nikquanlewis.com)

A fun, free quiz that tells you how spicy your sex life is while offering resources

How Spicy Is Your Sex Life Quiz (nikquanlewis.com)

Resources (Articles I contributed too as an expert on love, intimacy and more)

Nikquan Lewis Expert Relationship & Sex Therapist | Houston, TX

How Do You Want It Relationship and Sex Conversation Cards and Digital Guide to Intimacy

Intimate Connections | Relationship, Sex & Intimacy Products (intimateconnectionspllc.com)

 Connect with Kim:

https://www.instagram.com/kimhyneshealth

https://www.kimhynes.com    

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