The New Face of Menopause: Hormones, Supplements & GLP-1 Therapy with Jackie Giannelli | Ep. 111

The New Face of Menopause: Hormones, Supplements & GLP-1 Therapy with Jackie Giannelli | Ep. 111

Author: Karen Bigman September 9, 2025 Duration: 26:00

Menopause is no longer a silent struggle. From “millennipause” to cutting-edge treatments like GLP-1s, today’s conversation with Jackie Giannelli, a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in women's health with extensive expertise in hormonal health, menopause, women's sexual health, and urogynecology, dives into the evolving landscape of perimenopause and menopause care.

We explore the shifting attitudes around hormone replacement therapy, the rise of millennials entering perimenopause, and why lifestyle, supplements, and community matter just as much as medical interventions. Jackie also breaks down how GLP-1 medications may become a new arm of menopause treatment — while highlighting their potential impact on sexual health.

Whether you’re curious about natural options, considering hormone therapy, or just beginning your perimenopause journey, this episode offers clarity, science-backed insights, and compassion for women navigating this complex phase of life.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Jackie Giannelli

1:15 – What is “Millennipause”?

4:12 – How millennials are approaching perimenopause differently

6:45 – Hormone hesitancy is fading: why women want bioidenticals now

9:50 – Non-hormonal treatments: supplements that actually work

13:30 – Lifestyle shifts that make a difference in perimenopause

16:45 – GLP-1 medications and their surprising potential in menopause care

21:05 – The hidden side effects of GLP-1s on sexual health

23:18 – The power of community and women supporting women

25:10 – Jackie’s definition of sex & closing thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.


This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.


Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast



Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

Email: karen@taboototruth.com

Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

About the Guest:

Jackie Giannelli is a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in women's health with extensive expertise in hormonal health, menopause, women's sexual health, and urogynecology. Jackie is a Menopause Society-certified practitioner, and an active member of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health.   She trained and honed her expertise in this niche field at the largest freestanding women’s sexual health clinic in the country, Maze Women’s Health. 

Previously, Jackie has served as the founding nurse practitioner and Director of Clinical Practice at Elektra Health, a digital women’s health company on a mission to smash the menopause taboo.  She also spent time as an Operator-in-Residence at 25m Health, a health-tech venture platform incubating new companies and investing in breakout startups. She advises and consults regularly in the digital health and startup space, and often mentors clinicians who are looking to pivot from the bedside into a non-traditional clinical role.  She also continues to practice bedside medicine and is taking new patients as the Director of Women’s Sexual Health at Anna Barbieri, MD in NYC.  

Jackie is passionate about women’s health literacy and using technology to expand access to care, as well innovation in clinical strategy and private practice enablement.  Jackie aims to democratize access to evidence-based midlife wellness education using her social media platform, through her newsletter In the Saddle, her digital clinical frameworks and as the co-host of the WellKept podcast.

Jackie earned her nursing degrees at New York University and San Francisco State University and a B.A. in Health Studies from Georgetown University. Her work has been featured in Well+Good, PopSugar, and Everyday Health. She is a sought-after national speaker and educator in the field of women’s health.  She lives in CT with her husband and two tween children but will never tire of trips to NYC for theater, culture, shopping and endless inspiration.

Connect with Jackie Giannelli:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackie_giannellifnp/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-giannelli-rn-msn-fnp-bc-ncmp/ 

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6eQRSsPNEE9R39Ah5182Yk?si=dfc033ca2bd6488d

Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.


In a culture that often whispers about aging and ignores the sexuality of older adults, Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50 speaks in a clear, confident voice. Hosted by certified sex educator and coach Karen Bigman, this podcast transforms hushed conversations into open, honest dialogue. Karen’s straightforward and candid approach dismantles the stigma surrounding midlife intimacy, creating a vital space for education and support. Each episode explores the intricate, real-life experiences of dating, relationships, and physical connection after fifty. You’ll hear practical insights on navigating sex post-divorce, the triumphs of rediscovering desire, and the unique challenges that come with these transformative years. This isn’t abstract theory; it’s grounded conversation about the evolving landscape of pleasure, health, and partnership. By diving deep into topics often left unspoken, the show provides both reassurance and actionable guidance. Whether you’re seeking to understand your own journey or to simply listen and learn, this podcast meets you with expertise and empathy. Karen Bigman ensures every discussion moves from societal silence toward personal truth, making Taboo to Truth an essential listen for anyone redefining what life and intimacy mean in the second half.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50
Podcast Episodes
Sex Snacks: The Midlife Intimacy Hack Nobody Talks About | Ep. 169 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:37
In this episode, I'm introducing one of my favorite concepts for couples who feel like the spark has quietly gone out: sex snacks. Not whipped cream, not grand gestures — tiny, pressure-free moments of flirtation, touch,…
We Tested Every Sex Toy So You Don't Have To | Ep. 167 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:02
In this episode, I'm joined by certified sexologist and Love Lab Podcast host Kevin Anthony for the most thorough — and most honest — sex toy review I've ever done. We pulled out everything: vibrators, pumps, prostate ma…