Perimenopause + Menopause

Welcome to Your Journey Through Perimenopause and Menopause

At the Center for Relationship & Intimacy Well-Being (CRIWB), we honor the profound transformation that perimenopause and menopause bring to women’s lives. This phase is not just about changes in your body but also a gateway to rediscovering your authentic self. It’s a time of challenge and growth, where the right support can transform discomfort into empowerment, confusion into clarity, and isolation into connection. We are here to walk alongside you, offering compassionate, holistic, and integrative care.

What Are Perimenopause and Menopause?

Perimenopause is the transitional period leading to menopause, often beginning in your 40s (but sometimes as early as 35). It can last several years, marked by hormonal fluctuations that affect the menstrual cycle, physical health, and emotional well-being.

Menopause is officially reached when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. For most women, this occurs around age 51. It signals the end of reproductive years, but it’s far from the end of vitality, passion, or possibility.

Together, these phases are a natural part of life’s rhythm—an invitation to reflect, reset, and embrace a new chapter.

The Medical and Physiological Journey

Perimenopause and menopause bring a variety of physical changes influenced by the decline in hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:

Irregular menstrual cycles
Hot flashes and night sweats
Changes in libido and arousal
Vaginal dryness
Sleep disturbances
Mood swings and irritability
Brain fog and memory challenges
Frozen shoulder
Anxiety and Depression
ADHD may be more pronounced or sudden ADHD-like issues

At CRIWB, we understand how these changes can affect your sense of self and daily life. That’s why we work collaboratively with medical professionals, including pelvic floor specialists and hormone experts, to provide comprehensive support tailored to your needs.

The Relational Perspective

Relationships often shift during this time—with partners, children, friends, and, most importantly, yourself. Hormonal changes can affect intimacy, communication, and connection.

You may:

Feel distant from your partner or less interested in physical intimacy.
Struggle to balance caregiving roles with self-care.
Experience frustration in expressing your needs and emotions.

We approach these challenges relationally, helping you and your loved ones navigate this new landscape with compassion. Through individual or couple sessions, we guide you in creating deeper understanding, fostering intimacy, and finding new ways to connect.

The Spiritual Invitation

Menopause is more than a biological milestone—it’s a spiritual reckoning and awakening. As you shed the layers of old roles and expectations, you have the opportunity to:

Embrace your authentic self.
Reflect on the wisdom gained through life’s experiences.
Step into greater freedom and creativity.

At CRIWB, we honor this sacred journey. Using tools such as mindfulness, somatic practices, and culturally attuned rituals, we support you in connecting to your inner strength and reclaiming your vitality.

Holistic and Integrative Care

We believe in treating the whole person. At CRIWB, our approach integrates:

Body: Supporting physiological health through somatic practices and referrals to specialists.
Heart: Addressing emotions, relationships, and intimacy with warmth and care.
Mind: Providing education and tools to help you understand and navigate this phase.
Spirit: Celebrating your journey toward deeper self-awareness and purpose.

Our collaborative network includes medical professionals, therapists, pelvic floor specialists, and holistic healers, ensuring that your care is comprehensive and uniquely suited to you.

You Are Not Alone

It’s common to feel alone or unsure of where to turn during perimenopause and menopause. Many women hesitate to speak about their experiences due to societal taboos or fear of being dismissed. At CRIWB, we create a safe and inclusive space for these conversations, empowering you to voice your needs and find solutions that work for you.

How We Serve Our Clients

At the Center for Relationship & Intimacy Well-Being, we are committed to providing personalized, compassionate, and integrative care. Our services include:

Individual Sessions:

Work one-on-one with a skilled therapist to explore your unique challenges, emotions, and goals during this transformative time.

Couples Sessions:

Strengthen intimacy and communication with your partner while navigating the changes that perimenopause and menopause can bring to your relationship.

Guidance and Advocacy for Medical Care:

We collaborate with a trusted network of medical professionals, including OB/GYNs, hormone experts, psychiatrists, and pelvic floor specialists, to ensure you receive the best care and guidance possible for your physical health.

Workshops and Support Groups:

Join a community of women sharing similar experiences. Our groups provide education, tools, and encouragement to help you feel empowered and connected.

Somatic Practices and Mindfulness Techniques:

Learn methods to reconnect with your body, ease discomfort, and enhance overall well-being.

Collaborative Referrals:

We guide you toward specialists who can address specific needs, from hormone therapy to holistic healing modalities.

We are here to support you at every step of your journey, providing a comprehensive and integrative approach to help you thrive.

Our Collaborative Network: Comprehensive Care Tailored to You

At the Center for Relationship & Intimacy Well-Being, we understand that navigating perimenopause and menopause requires a multifaceted approach. That’s why we’ve built a robust collaborative network to address every aspect of your well-being.

Our team works hand-in-hand with:

Medical Doctors and OB/GYNs:

To provide expert insights into hormonal health, address symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or irregular cycles, and guide you through medical treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) when appropriate.

Experts in Hormones and Endocrinology:

To evaluate and support hormonal balance with evidence-based interventions tailored to your body’s needs.

Psychiatrists:

To address mood swings, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges that often accompany hormonal transitions.

Pelvic Floor Specialists:

To support physical well-being, addressing issues like pelvic pain, incontinence, and sexual health through exercises, therapy, and education.

Therapists and Counselors:

Our therapists at CRIWB provide emotional support, relational guidance, and tools for coping with changes in intimacy, identity, and roles.

Holistic Healers and Practitioners:

All therapists at CRIWB are experienced in integrating somatic practices, mindfulness, nutrition, and culturally sensitive rituals that nurture your body, heart, mind, and spirit.

This collaborative approach ensures you receive the best care and guidance possible tailored to your unique journey. Whether you need medical expertise, emotional support, or physical care, we are here to guide and advocate for you every step of the way.

Our Commitment to Ongoing Learning and Excellence

At the Center for Relationship & Intimacy Well-Being, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of knowledge and best practices in supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. To ensure we provide the highest standard of care, our team actively participates in professional organizations and learning communities that deepen our expertise.

We are proud members of:

The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS)

Staying up-to-date on the latest research, treatments, and holistic approaches to menopause care.

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)

Ensuring our approaches to intimacy, sexual health, and relationships are inclusive, evidence-based, and compassionate.

The International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS)

Providing advanced care for pelvic pain issues and collaborating with other specialists to address the complex intersections of physical and emotional health.

The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH)

Expanding our understanding of women’s sexual health to provide cutting-edge support for libido, arousal, and overall sexual well-being.

Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR)

Engaging in ongoing education and dialogue around the psychological and physiological aspects of sexuality.

By belonging to these organizations, we remain informed about the most current advances in medical, relational, and therapeutic care. Our commitment to learning ensures that you receive guidance that is both innovative and grounded in expertise.

Perimenopause and menopause are natural life transitions, but suffering through the symptoms doesn’t have to be part of the journey.

Jacqueline Mendez

Embrace This Chapter With Us

Perimenopause and menopause mark a unique and powerful time in a woman’s life. It’s a journey of becoming—of letting go, embracing change, and stepping into your full power. At CRIWB, we honor your story, support your healing, and celebrate your transformation.

Let’s walk this path together. Contact us today to begin your journey.