Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith
  • 4.8 (74)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Meet Dr. Susan, a renowned Board-Certified Gynecologist and Certified Menopause Practitioner through the Menopause Society (former NAMS), focused on hormone optimization, sexual wellness, and longevity. She's the pioneering force behind the Complete Midlife Wellness Center in Houston, TX, and the best-selling author of "Sexually Woke." Tune into her engaging podcast, "Empowering Midlife Wellness," for insightful conversations. Boasting numerous accolades, including the Texas Super Doctor award and being consistently rated among Houston's top gynecologists, Dr. Susan combines her medical expertise with her passion as an ICF-certified life and leadership coach. Outside the clinic, she's a fitness enthusiast, marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, and mother of three young adults. Join her YouTube channel for empowering wellness strategies designed for midlife and beyond. Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical or mental health condition, and before undertaking any diet, dietary supplement, exercise, or other health program.

  1. MAR 25

    Menopausal Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer: Navigating the Benefits and Risks

    For many women, a history of breast cancer has meant an automatic “no” when it comes to menopausal hormone therapy. But is the story really that simple? In this video, we explore a more nuanced and evolving conversation—one grounded in decades of research, including the work of Avrum Z. Bluming, MD, and other leading experts who have closely examined the data on hormone therapy after breast cancer. Across multiple studies and reviews spanning over 40 years, the evidence paints a more complex picture. While certain risks—such as thromboembolism with oral formulations—are well documented, the long-held belief that hormone therapy universally increases breast cancer recurrence or mortality is increasingly being questioned. In fact, most studies have not shown an increase in breast cancer–related death, and only one trial demonstrated a limited increase in local (not distant) recurrence. At the same time, menopausal hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for symptoms that deeply affect quality of life—while also offering potential benefits for cardiovascular health, bone strength, cognitive function, and longevity. So where does this leave us? This video is not about giving a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about encouraging thoughtful, informed decision-making. It’s about moving beyond fear-based assumptions and toward individualized care—where risks and benefits are carefully weighed, and where women feel empowered to ask questions, seek multiple perspectives, and have meaningful conversations with their physicians. Because the most important takeaway is this: you deserve to be fully informed. Resources: Hormone Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer: It Is Time Avrum Z. Bluming, MD LINK - https://bit.ly/4st0uji Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients: What Is the Current Evidence? Sarah Glynne, MBBS, MSc, MRCP, MRCGP; James Simon, MD; Anthony Branson, FRCP; Stephen Payne, FRCS; Louise Newson, MBChB; Isaac Manyonda, PhD; Susan Cleator, PhD; Michael Douek, MD; Sasha Usiskin, MRCP; Jeffrey S. Tobias, MD; Jayant S. Vaidya, PhD LINK - https://bit.ly/41leKyt 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

    21 min

  2. MAR 19

    Regenerative Medicine Products Explained: PRP, Exosomes, Stem Cells & More

    Regenerative medicine is one of the most talked-about areas in modern medicine — and also one of the most misunderstood. In this video, I explain several therapies that are often mentioned in the same conversation and clarify what they are, how they work, and what we currently know about them. Learning about these treatments can help us make wiser decisions about our health, our healing, and how we support our bodies as we age. In this video, I discuss the science and current understanding behind: • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) — used since the 1990s in orthopedics, dermatology, hair restoration, and sexual wellness procedures. • Exosomes — tiny vesicles that act as cellular messengers, carrying proteins, RNA, lipids, and growth factors between cells. • Umbilical-derived growth factors — biologic regenerative products containing signaling molecules involved in tissue repair. • Stem cells — cells capable of differentiating into multiple cell types and releasing regenerative signals that support healing. • “Young blood” therapies — a term sometimes used when discussing regenerative products derived from younger tissues. • Plasmapheresis — a medical procedure that removes plasma from the blood and is used in certain autoimmune and toxic conditions. My goal in this video is to separate science from hype, bring clarity to a rapidly evolving field, and help you better understand the therapies that are often mentioned in conversations about longevity, healing, and regenerative medicine. When we understand the science behind these treatments, we gain something powerful — the ability to advocate for our health, ask better questions, and make informed decisions about our bodies and our wellbeing. 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

    25 min

  3. MAR 4

    10 Dumb Things Women Are Told About Menopause

    If you’ve ever been dismissed, minimized, or given outdated advice about menopause — this video is for you. Every week in my clinic, I hear the same myths repeated to intelligent, capable women who simply want to feel like themselves again. Unfortunately, misinformation around menopause and hormone therapy is still everywhere — even inside medical offices. Today, I’m addressing 10 of the most common (and harmful) things women are told about menopause — and explaining what the science actually says. We’ll discuss: • “Hormone replacement is dangerous. Just take birth control pills.” • “You’re only 42 — you’re too young for menopause.” • “Your labs are normal, so it can’t be menopause.” • “You must wait a full year after your last period to start hormones.” • “You can’t start hormones after 60 — or you must stop at 60.” • “Hormones aren’t FDA-approved for heart disease or Alzheimer’s, so they don’t help.” • “You can’t take hormones if you have a family history of breast cancer.” • “Testosterone is only for men.” • “Testosterone is just for libido.” • “You can never take estrogen or progesterone after breast cancer.” Menopause care is nuanced. It’s individualized. And it should be rooted in evidence — not fear. I’ll walk you through what we know today about menopausal hormone therapy, testosterone therapy for women, timing, safety, and why so many women are still being told outdated information. You deserve clarity. You deserve options. And you deserve a provider who understands midlife physiology. Further Reading & Trusted Resources The Menopause Society www.menopause.org Dr. Louise Newson www.drlouisenewson.co.uk Instagram: @menopause_doctor Study referenced in this video: Effect of transdermal testosterone therapy on mood and cognitive symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women: a pilot study Full paper: http://bit.ly/4tWR9S5 If this video helped you, please share it with a woman who needs better information. Subscribe for evidence-based education on midlife health, hormone optimization, and longevity. Because menopause is not the end of vitality — it’s the beginning of informed power. 💛 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com In-person and virtual appointments available.

    29 min

  4. FEB 20

    Oral Semaglutide for Midlife Weight Optimization? What Women Need to Know

    At Complete Midlife Wellness Center, many women ask us if there is a GLP-1 option that doesn’t involve injections. In this video, I walk you through what truly matters: ✅ How oral absorption differs from injections. ✅ Why injectable GLP-1 medications are often more effective — and sometimes more affordable. ✅ Who is a good candidate for oral therapy, and who will likely need something stronger. 🌿 For women looking to lose about 10–20 pounds, oral semaglutide may be a thoughtful option. 🌿 For women seeking more significant weight loss — 15–50+ pounds — injectable therapies such as tirzepatide typically provide greater metabolic impact. But here is what we believe deeply: Medication is not the foundation. Hormone balance is. If estrogen, testosterone, insulin resistance, and cortisol are not addressed, weight loss in midlife becomes an uphill battle — no matter which medication is used. That’s why our 12-week Holistic Medical Weight Optimization Program begins with physiology. We layer hormone optimization, advanced nutrition, strength-focused movement, accountability, and medication. This is not a shortcut. It’s structured, medically guided care designed for midlife women. We offer both in-person and remote visits in Texas and California via telemedicine. If you’re ready for a comprehensive approach — we’re here. 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

    14 min

  5. FEB 12

    5 Proven Ways to Bring Back Sexual Desire After 40

    Decreased sexual desire is the most common concern I hear about changing sexuality during perimenopause and menopause. In this video, I discuss how we diagnose low libido, what may be contributing to it, and the treatment options that can genuinely help. You may hear the term Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). This is a medical diagnosis used when a persistent drop in desire creates distress for a woman or strain within a relationship. Evaluation involves a thoughtful clinical conversation, review of health history, and often the use of a validated tool such as the Decreased Sexual Desire Screener (DSDS). The reasons desire changes are rarely simple. They often include a combination of: ✔️ hormonal shifts involving estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone ✔️ changes in brain chemistry and stress pathways ✔️ sleep and energy disruption ✔️ relationship or emotional dynamics ✔️ medical conditions or medication effects I walk you through five categories of treatment, combining published science with what I’ve learned from caring for thousands of midlife women — including which approaches tend to work best in real life. Most importantly, low desire is not something you are required to accept as an unavoidable part of aging. If it matters to you, there are meaningful, evidence-based ways to make it better. 📚 Get my best-selling book, Sexually Woke: Awaken the Secrets to Your Best Sex Life in Midlife & Beyond: https://amzn.to/3rm47IU 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

    31 min

  6. FEB 4

    Sermorelin 101: How This Peptide Stimulates Natural Growth Hormone | The Peptides Conversation

    In this video, I review sermorelin, a growth hormone–elevating peptide, and explain where it fits physiologically within the growth hormone axis. I begin by defining what peptides are and what is meant by a growth hormone–elevating peptide, then clarify what sermorelin is — and what it is not. HOW SERMORELIN WORKS, Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH). It acts at the level of the pituitary gland to stimulate endogenous, pulsatile growth hormone secretion, rather than providing exogenous growth hormone. I discuss the downstream effects of growth hormone signaling, including its role in: ❇️ sleep regulation ❇️ bone metabolism ❇️ muscle and body composition ❇️ skin integrity ❇️ cognitive function I also address a common question: Why don’t we simply administer growth hormone? This section reviews the physiologic risks of bypassing hypothalamic–pituitary regulation, including suppression of natural hormone signaling and elevations in IGF-1. Finally, I conclude with an overview of clinical considerations surrounding administration, including dosing, timing, and cost. My goal is to help you understand where sermorelin fits within normal hormone physiology, so you can make informed, thoughtful decisions about your care. If you would like a physician-guided evaluation, you can visit us at Complete Midlife Wellness Center https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

    18 min

  7. JAN 21

    Alcohol and Aging: The Risks We Rarely Question

    January is often a time when many of us reassess our relationship with alcohol — whether through Dry January or simply by pausing to reflect. If you’re in that group, or even just quietly curious, this is a powerful moment to consider why you might choose to significantly reduce or eliminate alcohol long-term — not just for 30 days, but as a lasting lifestyle decision. Over the years, I’ve shared my personal journey with alcohol reduction, starting with one simple but honest step: taking inventory of how much alcohol I was actually drinking. From there, it became important to thoughtfully weigh the risks and perceived benefits of regularly consuming a substance we know is both toxic and carcinogenic. In today’s episode, I walk you through my own experience with reassessing alcohol use and outline eight key health risks to consider as you make your own informed decision about alcohol consumption. There is no single “right” answer for everyone. While alcohol may offer real social and cultural benefits, it’s well established that it provides no health benefit — and those social advantages must be weighed against the ways alcohol can negatively impact our health, especially as we move into midlife and beyond. Personally, when I significantly reduce or eliminate alcohol, I feel noticeably better — more clear, more energized, and more grounded. Each January serves as a reminder that, for me, life simply feels better without it. If this resonates, you might even consider joining me for an alcohol-free year, rather than just a month. If you found this helpful, subscribe for more conversations on midlife health, longevity, and informed choices.

    26 min

  8. JAN 14

    Testosterone for Women: Safe Pellet Dosing and Why Women Deserve the Same Options as Men

    Testosterone therapy in women remains one of the most misunderstood and inconsistently applied areas of hormone care. Unlike men, women do not have FDA-approved testosterone products, making dosing strategy and delivery method critical to both safety and effectiveness. In this video, I review the clinical evidence behind testosterone pellet dosing in women, explain how pellets compare to topical gels, and clarify why outcomes depend far more on dose, pharmacokinetics, and monitoring than on the delivery method itself. Drawing from published consensus statements, clinical studies, and real-world patient data, I address: Why standardized testosterone options exist for men, but not for women How testosterone pellets are dosed safely in clinical practice What research shows about absorption, variability, and blood levels How to interpret testosterone labs in women Why precision matters when approved products are unavailable This discussion is informed by the General Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone for Women (Climacteric, 2019), which outlines the evidence base, indications, and limitations of testosterone therapy in women. 👉 Link to papers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dd6Y8lwD4RayIRIxZ-m7_e6pVPDNXG-v/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eqF1_Wt9jzG4OsacOjFX2-nwR0aw7caA/view?usp=sharing Recommended viewing: For a practical, real-life demonstration of topical testosterone use, watch my related video: Should Women Use Male Testosterone Products? | Real-Life Demo https://youtu.be/nQlrkWpZOAE This is an evidence-based discussion intended for patients and clinicians seeking a clearer, more rigorous understanding of testosterone therapy in women — grounded in physiology, data, and careful dosing rather than assumptions or fear. 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com 📚 Get my best-selling book, Sexually Woke: Awaken the Secrets to Your Best Sex Life in Midlife & Beyond: https://amzn.to/3rm47IU

    44 min
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4.8
out of 5
74 Ratings

About

Meet Dr. Susan, a renowned Board-Certified Gynecologist and Certified Menopause Practitioner through the Menopause Society (former NAMS), focused on hormone optimization, sexual wellness, and longevity. She's the pioneering force behind the Complete Midlife Wellness Center in Houston, TX, and the best-selling author of "Sexually Woke." Tune into her engaging podcast, "Empowering Midlife Wellness," for insightful conversations. Boasting numerous accolades, including the Texas Super Doctor award and being consistently rated among Houston's top gynecologists, Dr. Susan combines her medical expertise with her passion as an ICF-certified life and leadership coach. Outside the clinic, she's a fitness enthusiast, marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, and mother of three young adults. Join her YouTube channel for empowering wellness strategies designed for midlife and beyond. Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical or mental health condition, and before undertaking any diet, dietary supplement, exercise, or other health program.

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