The Get Your Marriage On Podcast!

95: Hormones, Periods, and Sex with Ashlee Sorensen

I used to think that a woman’s period was just nature’s way of telling you that you’re not pregnant. But there’s so much more to understanding one’s cycle. Did you know that a woman’s cycle can be broken down into four phases, and each phase has its own superpower? That understanding your hormones and what they’re there for can give you more confidence and energy? And that there are foods should you eat (and foods to avoid) to help support a healthy body and hormone levels? 

Ashlee has personal experience with PMS, debilitating period pain, and infertility is what ultimately set her on a journey to learn more about how food and lifestyle affect hormone health, and eventually creating her signature course, Cycle Strategy 101, as well as Exercise and Hormones, and Cycle Sexcess. As you’ll see, Ashlee is passionate about teaching women how to tap into their superpowers by honoring their cyclical rhythms. 

What We Cover in This Episode

My wife met hormone coach Ashlee Sorensen at a women’s retreat, and I’m so glad she came on. Ashlee blew my mind by reframing the menstrual cycle as far more than “you’re not pregnant”—it’s a four-phase rhythm, and each phase comes with its own superpower.

She walks us through the four inner seasons: the restful, intuitive menstrual phase (inner winter), the energetic, creative follicular phase (spring), the confident, communicative ovulatory phase (summer), and the nesting, project-finishing luteal phase (autumn). Understanding where you are can transform your energy, your confidence, and yes, your desire and sex life.

We also talk about why ovulation—not your period—is the real main event, how food and even exercise can support healthy hormones, and how planning connection and getaways around your cycle can make intimacy more joyful. It’s a fascinating, empowering conversation for women and the husbands who love them.

Key takeaways

  • Your cycle has four phases—winter, spring, summer, autumn—each with its own strengths.
  • Ovulation, not menstruation, is the real main event of the cycle.
  • Energy, confidence, and desire naturally rise and fall across the month.
  • Food and cycle-aware exercise can meaningfully support hormone health.
  • Syncing intimacy and getaways with your cycle can make sex more joyful.

If your desire seems to shift week to week, that’s normal. Learn how to build desire and arousal, understand low libido and what affects it, and see the bigger picture of desire in marriage.

Want help building a thriving intimate life together? Our Next Level program can help.

Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

Wild Power

In the Flo

Julva

Meet your host, Dan Purcell, a marriage, sex & intimacy coach. Our mission is to help you build and maintain a sexually vibrant & emotionally intimate marriage. Join us each week as we explore principles & practical, christian based tools to create a thriving marriage.

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