168- Mental Load & Mismatched Desire or libido // When You Feel Touched Out, Shut Down, or Disconnected

168- Mental Load & Mismatched Desire or libido // When You Feel Touched Out, Shut Down, or Disconnected

Author: Dr. Desiree Cassell | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Women’s Health Specialist, Strong and Fit Momma February 12, 2026 Duration: 29:54
How stress, emotional disconnection, and overwhelm impact intimacy (and what to do about it) If you’ve ever thought… “I love my partner, but I just don’t want sex.” “By the end of the day I’m touched out.” “I feel guilty that I’m never in the mood.” “Something feels off… but I don’t know what.” This episode is for you. Low desire isn’t always hormonal. It’s not always about attraction. And it’s definitely not because you’re broken. More often than not, it’s about mental load, nervous system overwhelm, and emotional disconnection. In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the invisible weight women carry — and how that weight directly impacts pelvic floor tension, arousal, pain with intercourse, and overall intimacy. Because desire doesn’t disappear randomly. It gets crowded out. In This Episode, We Cover: What the “mental load” actually is — and why it’s exhausting your nervous system How chronic stress increases pelvic floor tension and guarding Why feeling unsupported during the day shows up in the bedroom The connection between cortisol, safety, and arousal How resentment and emotional disconnection subtly affect your body The “Mental Load → Guarding → Guilt” cycle many women are stuck in Simple ways to rebuild emotional intimacy without pressure or performance Why This Matters for Pelvic Health Your pelvic floor does not exist in isolation. When you’re in fight-or-flight all day — planning, managing, caretaking, carrying the emotional labor of your home — your body does not magically flip into relaxation mode at night. Arousal requires parasympathetic safety. Pleasure requires softness. Connection requires nervous system regulation. You cannot feel open in a body that feels responsible for everything. Practical Ways to Bridge Emotional Intimacy We discuss: ✔️ Reducing the invisible labor load ✔️ Non-sexual connection rituals ✔️ Regulating your nervous system before initiating intimacy ✔️ Expanding your definition of intimacy beyond performance ✔️ Creating safety in micro-moments, not grand gestures Because foreplay doesn’t start in the bedroom. It starts in how supported you felt all day. Want a Structured Way to Rebuild Safety in Your Body? Make sure to check out the FREE Pain to Pleasure Masterclass inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App!    Access Here: https://pelvic-floor-core-more.passion.io/login 🌀 Ready to feel stronger, more confident, and in tune with what it needs? If you’re done guessing and googling… If you’re ready to stop modifying your workouts out of fear… If you’re ready to move, lift, run, and LIVE without leaking, pain, or pressure... Then it’s time for RESTORE — my 12-week signature pelvic floor & core rehab program Evidence-based. Nervous system-informed. Holistically healing. Inside RESTORE you’ll get: ✔️ 12 weeks of progressive breathwork, mobility & strength ✔️ 5- and 20-minute workouts to fit your life ✔️ Deep pelvic floor education (with zero fluff) ✔️ Real-life tools to reduce pain, improve leaks, and feel like YOU again ✔️ Access to our private community and support Inside RESTORE, we cover: Breathwork + pelvic floor connection Mobility + posture Nervous system regulation Core control + strength building Real-life application to everyday movement And how to stop leaking, rushing to the bathroom, or feeling disconnected from your core You’ll walk away from RESTORE with clarity, confidence, and a body you trust again. JOIN RESTORE NOW FOR INSTANT ACCESS TO LESSONS AND EXERCISES!!   https://pelvic-floor-core-more.passion.io/checkout/86181d29-9811-4a33-80df-a82de21fa8fe Or  💎 Learn More About RESTORE below, my 12-week program that walks you step by step through pelvic floor and core healing — so you can stop leaking, reduce prolapse symptoms, and feel strong again.  https://balancedmomtality.com/restore  💖 Or Want Personalized 1:1 Coaching and Support? Book a virtual or in-person women’s health coaching/pelvic floor physical therapy session tai

Navigating motherhood brings immense joy alongside unique physical challenges that often go unspoken. Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels is a space where those conversations happen, guided by Dr. Desiree Cassell, a pelvic floor physical therapist and women’s health specialist who is also a strong and fit mom herself. This podcast moves far beyond basic Kegel exercises, delving into the interconnected systems of the body that support a woman’s health through pregnancy, birth, and the many phases of postpartum life. You’ll find discussions on practical, functional core rehabilitation, preparing your body for birth with confidence, and navigating recovery with a focus on sustainable strength. Each episode integrates understanding of nervous system regulation and holistic self-care, recognizing that true wellness for moms is multifaceted. The aim is to provide actionable, evidence-based strategies that fit into a busy life, helping you move without fear of pain or dysfunction, and ultimately feel resilient in your own body. Tune in for a compassionate, expert-led dialogue that redefines postpartum care as a lifelong journey of healing and strength. This is the supportive resource you’ve been looking for, offering clarity and empowerment one episode at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels: Core Rehab, Prenatal Fitness, Birth Prep, Postpartum Recovery, Nervous System Regulation, and Holistic Self-Care for Moms
Podcast Episodes
189- Why You Might Feel Worse Before You Feel Better in Rehab [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:58
Have you ever started doing the “right” exercises… only to feel more sore, more aware of symptoms, or more discouraged? It can be easy to assume something is wrong or that your program isn’t working — but that’s not alwa…
181- You’re Not Starting Over — You’re Starting From Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:14
If you’ve ever felt like you keep having to “start over” with your body, your workouts, or your healing… this episode is for you. So many women feel frustrated when symptoms come back, routines fall off, or progress does…