Fertility journeys can put unexpected pressure on relationships - and intimacy is often one of the first things to change.
In this episode of Know Your Flow, femme co-founder Stef Simpson is joined by Andrea Balboni, sex and relationship coach and founder of Lush Coaching, to explore how couples can maintain closeness, connection and pleasure while navigating fertility treatment.
Together, they unpack how IVF, IUI and timed intercourse can turn intimacy into a performance, the emotional and psychological impact this has on both partners, and why redefining what intimacy means can help couples feel safer and more connected.
This conversation explores:
💛 What intimacy really means beyond sex
💛 How fertility treatment affects desire and connection
💛 Navigating performance pressure and anxiety
💛 The role of vulnerability and honest communication
💛 How stress and hormones impact libido
💛 Why touch doesn’t have to be sexual to be intimate
💛 Practical ways couples can reconnect during treatment
💛 When seeking professional support can help
Whether you’re actively trying to conceive, supporting a partner, or simply want to strengthen your relationship during a challenging season, this episode offers reassurance, insight and practical tools to help you feel less alone.
🎧 Listen now and remember: small steps, open communication and compassion can make a big difference.
