Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith

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. 4D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. JAN 8

    What Mattered Most in 2025: 6 Midlife Wellness Videos to Watch

    As we begin a new year, it’s worth pausing to look at what actually resonated with women in midlife over the past year. The most-watched videos of 2025 make one thing clear: midlife wellness is not about a single conversation or one solution. It’s not only about menopausal hormone therapy — it’s about the full, interconnected picture of health, vitality, and longevity. From hormones and metabolism to strength, sexuality, skincare, and what’s ahead in midlife medicine, these six videos reflect the wide spectrum of topics women are actively seeking clarity on right now. Below are the 6 most-watched midlife wellness videos of 2025, listed from #6 to #1 (most popular). #6 — Revive Your Sex Life After 50 https://youtu.be/N9weMEASio4 #5 — The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life – Part Two https://youtu.be/ma-osU7Bg9E #4 — Become Your Best Elder Self — One Choice at a Time https://youtu.be/fhgEepyXGfs #3 — Microdosing GLP-1: A New Approach to Inflammation-Driven Diseases https://youtu.be/KXhfOaA6XPA #2 — Understanding Testosterone Options for Women https://youtu.be/DP4vYBJImAs #1 — Is Estrogen Face Cream the Secret to Youthful Skin? https://youtu.be/XHudYAW2StE ✨ Watch Them All Together We’ve also created a dedicated playlist so you can watch all six videos in one place, in one thoughtful sequence: ▶️ What Mattered Most in 2025: 6 Midlife Wellness Videos to Watch https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6DFkC--wvySbkS0mMJBxa2Fqb7x0375Y If you’re starting this year wanting clearer information, broader perspective, and more honest conversations about midlife health — this collection is a meaningful place to begin. More depth, more education, and more clarity are coming in 2026 🤍

    22 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    This Is the Perimenopause Video Every Woman Should Watch

    Perimenopause is often the most confusing — and least explained — phase of midlife. In this video, I walk you through everything you need to understand about perimenopause: what’s happening with your hormones, why symptoms can feel unpredictable, and how these changes affect your body, brain, and day-to-day life. I cover: ✨ What perimenopause actually is and when it typically begins ✨ How fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect mood, sleep, energy, focus, weight, libido, and motivation ✨ Why symptoms can come and go — and why labs don’t always tell the full story ✨ The most common signs women experience (even the ones no one warned you about) ✨ Thoughtful, evidence-based solutions to help restore balance and improve quality of life If you’ve been feeling “off,” overwhelmed, or unsure whether what you’re experiencing is normal — this video is meant to be a clear, grounding starting point. My goal is to help you understand your body, trust what you’re feeling, and know that real support does exist during these years. ✨ Perimenopause isn’t something you just have to push through. With the right knowledge and individualized care, you can feel steady, supported, and empowered again. 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

    43 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    Become Your Best Elder Self — One Choice at a Time

    In this video, I’m sharing an early look at the ideas from my new book coming out in 2026—work that is very close to my heart. I’ve spent the last several years asking one big question: How do we give ourselves the best possible chance of becoming the healthy, joyful, connected 90-year-old we hope to be? Why is it that some people are able to stay committed to a plan… while others struggle, even when they truly want to feel better? If you’re someone who has a hard time staying consistent, please know this book—and this conversation—is especially for you. I break our well-being into eight important buckets: Hormone Optimization, Nutrition, Movement, Body Composition, Sleep, Emotional Wellness, Relational Wellness & Intimacy, and Fun & Joy. These are the areas that shape how we age, how we feel day to day, and how we show up in our relationships. In today’s video, I walk you through each of these buckets and share why tuning into what you already know is good for you can become the motivation that carries you forward. With small, intentional choices, we can begin shaping the elder version of ourselves—one step, one day, one decision at a time. I’ve also included a PDF of the “Best Elder Day” wheel if you’d like to reflect on where you are now and where you’d love to go. LINK - https://bit.ly/3MpwfJX My hope is simple: that this gives you clarity, encouragement, and a gentle path toward becoming the elder you dream of being.

    22 min
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4.8
out of 5
73 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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