For many women, relationships are shaped less by desire and more by adaptation. We learn—often unconsciously—that closeness requires us to soften our edges, swallow our needs, and prioritize harmony over truth.

Sexual arousal in women is often misunderstood. Many women wonder why desire feels inconsistent, why their bodies don’t respond the way they “should,” or why pleasure feels distant despite wanting connection. These questions are not signs of dysfunction they are signals worth listening to.

If you feel like you have been taking care of other people and their needs and neglecting your own body, health, and needs for far too long — exhausted, second-guessing yourself, and unsure how you even got here — you’re not alone.