Women, Pleasure & Taboo: Redefining Intimacy Through Fertility and Menopause
Title: Women, Pleasure & Taboo: Redefining Intimacy Through Fertility and Menopause
Host: Stef Meachin
Guest: Cecilie Hjelmager, Co-Founder of Sitre
Length: ~30 minutes
In the first episode of Season 3, Know Your Flow returns with a bold and important conversation about intimacy, female pleasure, and wellness.
Host Stef Meachin, co-founder of femme, is joined by Cecilie Hjelmager, co-founder of the Danish intimacy brand Sitre, to explore why intimacy and pleasure are still treated as taboo topics - even among women - and how this conversation is finally beginning to change.
Cecilie shares how her own experiences, alongside her co-founder Julie’s, inspired the creation of Sitre - a brand redefining intimacy with products designed to support fertility, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause, all while promoting inclusivity and education.
Together, Stef and Cecilie discuss how communication, emotional connection, and self-awareness can transform how we think about sex and intimacy at every life stage.
“We wouldn’t even be on this planet without intimacy, so why is it still so taboo?”
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- The story behind Sitre and its mission to make intimacy part of overall wellness
- Why conversations about female pleasure are still surrounded by stigma
- The impact of fertility journeys, hormonal changes, and menopause on intimacy
- How small acts of connection — from touch to setting a mood — can nurture relationships
- The importance of fertility-safe and body-friendly products for women’s health
- How Sitre is building an inclusive storytelling platform to educate and empower
- Why teaching intimacy as part of wellbeing (not just sex education) should start earlier
“Intimacy isn’t a luxury - it’s a key part of our wellbeing.”
Episode Takeaways
- Intimacy should be seen as wellness, not shame.
- Open communication between partners is vital through life’s changes.
- Pleasure and emotional connection support mental and physical health.
- Safe, inclusive products can empower women through every stage of life.
- Sitre products containing CBD and Vitamin E, could really help those with endometriosis and adenomyosis with intimacy as it often causes muscle spasms and tension
“A good orgasm can be one of the best stress relievers - yet no one teaches that.”
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Season 3 of Know Your Flow
Stef opens the new season with excitement and introduces today’s theme: intimacy — a subject many women still find difficult to talk about.
01:00 – Introducing Cecilie and Sitre
Meet Cecilie Hjelmager, co-founder of the Copenhagen-based intimacy brand Sitre, redefining how we think about pleasure, wellness, and women’s health.
02:00 – The Story Behind Sitre
Cecilie shares how her and her co-founder Julie’s personal experiences led to creating Sitre — a brand inspired by the need for safe, empowering products that treat intimacy as part of overall wellbeing.
04:20 – Why Is Female Pleasure Still Taboo?
A powerful discussion on why women’s pleasure has been ignored for centuries, the influence of media and male-centric narratives, and why open conversations are the key to change.
07:00 – The Importance of Representation and Storytelling
Cecilie explains how sharing real stories from women helps break shame and normalise female desire, pleasure, and connection.
08:50 – Intimacy During Fertility and Menopause
Stef and Cecilie explore how intimacy often suffers during fertility struggles and menopause, and how communication can strengthen relationships during these vulnerable stages.
10:45 – Redefining Intimacy Beyond Sex
Cecilie shares how intimacy isn’t just about penetration — it’s about connection, touch, and acts of care like massages or lighting a candle to build closeness without pressure.
13:30 – The Pressure of Performance and Communication in Relationships
Stef reflects on her own experience attending an intimacy masterclass, highlighting the importance of communication, honesty, and learning to adapt with your partner.
14:30 – Fertility-Safe Lubricants & Product Safety
Cecilie explains why not all lubricants are fertility-safe and how Sitre prioritises natural ingredients, pH balance, and skin health to ensure safety during fertility treatment and menopause.
17:30 – Ingredients That Support Women’s Wellness
Discover how Sitre uses Vitamin E for healing and CBD for relaxation and anti-inflammatory benefits — designed to nurture the body and reduce tension.
19:20 – Education, Inclusivity & Changing the Conversation
Cecilie discusses why Sitre built a storytelling platform (feelSitre.com) to share honest, diverse experiences from women of all ages and backgrounds.
22:30 – Intimacy Education and Schools
Stef and Cecilie reflect on how sex education in schools focuses on biology and contraception, not pleasure or wellbeing — and why this needs to change.
24:00 – Intimacy as Wellness and Stress Relief
They discuss the mental and physical benefits of pleasure — from stress relief and better sleep to improved self-connection.
25:00 – Redefining the Language of Intimacy
Cecilie talks about moving away from “kinky” or “dirty” language to embrace intimacy as something mindful, soft, and emotional — not performative.
27:00 – What’s Next for Sitre
Cecilie reveals what’s coming next for the brand — from new products inspired by daily wellness rituals to expanding Sitre’s storytelling and educational platform.
29:00 – Where to Find Sitre
Cecilie invites listeners to connect on Instagram @feelSitre
Sitre products are also available here.
30:00 – Closing Thoughts
Stef wraps up with a heartfelt thank you, reflecting on the importance of open conversations about intimacy, connection, and women’s wellbeing.
“It’s about redefining intimacy as connection, not performance.”
Episode Summary
In this episode, Stef and Cecilie challenge the taboos around female pleasure and redefine intimacy as a vital part of wellness. They discuss fertility, menopause, communication in relationships, and the power of safe, inclusive products and education. It’s an honest, empowering conversation for every woman learning to connect with her body, her partner, and herself.
Listen & Subscribe
Listen to Know Your Flow by femme on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to subscribe to catch the next episode in Season 3.