Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Progesterone is one of the most important reproductive hormones in a woman's body, yet there is often confusion about what progesterone levels actually mean and whether they should be measured.

In this video, I explain what progesterone is, how it is produced, how levels change throughout a woman's reproductive life, and why interpreting a progesterone blood test is often more complex than many people realize.

We'll discuss

The role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle and reproductive health
How progesterone levels change from the reproductive years through perimenopause and menopause
The normal rise and fall of progesterone during a menstrual cycle
Why progesterone levels can vary dramatically from day to day in perimenopause
Common signs and symptoms associated with declining or fluctuating progesterone
When progesterone testing may provide useful information—and when it may not
Why symptoms and clinical context are often more informative than a single laboratory value

One of the most important concepts to understand is that progesterone is not a static hormone. Its levels change throughout the cycle and can fluctuate significantly during perimenopause, making a single blood test difficult to interpret in many situations.

My goal is to help you better understand the physiology of progesterone so you can make more informed decisions about your health and have more productive conversations with your healthcare provider.

Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

Now that we understand much more about the potential health benefits of menopausal hormone therapy, I want to tackle one of the questions I hear most often: when should you start hormone therapy, when should you stop it, and is there ever a point when it's too late to begin?

We know that starting estradiol close to menopause can help support healthy blood vessels and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other age-related conditions. But what if you weren't offered hormones when you first entered menopause and are now 10 or more years beyond it?

In this video, I discuss what the research actually shows about starting estrogen later in life, who may benefit, who may not, and why some of the perceived risks have often been overstated or misunderstood.

I'll also take a closer look at the Women's Health Initiative study that changed the course of hormone therapy conversations more than 20 years ago. We'll discuss what the study found, the limitations that were recognized over time, the lessons we learned from it, and why its conclusions do not apply equally to all women.

I'll also discuss the ELITE trial and what it taught us about the timing of hormone therapy, including findings that suggest estrogen may help preserve vascular health when started closer to menopause.

I'll explain what the researchers discovered, how these findings have influenced our understanding of hormone therapy today, and what they may mean for women who are considering treatment now or wondering whether they missed their opportunity to benefit from it.

Whether you're considering hormone therapy for the first time, wondering if you should continue taking it, or questioning whether you've missed your opportunity to benefit from it, I'll walk you through what we know today.

By the end of this video, you'll have a clearer understanding of the evidence behind starting, stopping, and starting hormone therapy later in life—and the questions you should be asking when making these decisions for yourself.

If you'd like personalized guidance, you can schedule an appointment with me or one of our Menopause Society Certified Practitioners. We offer in-person care in Houston and Cypress, Texas, as well as virtual appointments for patients throughout Texas, California, and New Mexico.

https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.comhttps://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/on-hormone-
consultations/info/https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/virtual-medical-care/

New cervical cancer screening recommendations have just been released and many women haven't heard about them yet. These brand-new ACOG guidelines are among the most important updates we've seen in years, and they may change how often you need screening, which tests are recommended, and when screening can safely stop.

In this video, I'm breaking down these newly released recommendations and explaining what they mean for you.

We'll talk about the differences between Pap tests and HPV tests, how often screening is recommended at different ages, and why the guidelines have evolved as our understanding of cervical cancer prevention continues to improve.

My goal is to help you understand the science behind the guidelines so you can make informed decisions about your health with confidence.

One important takeaway:
even if you don't need a Pap smear every year, that doesn't mean you should skip your annual wellness visit. Cervical cancer screening is just one part of preventive care, and a comprehensive wellness exam should address many other aspects of your health as you move through midlife and beyond.

Learn more about our Annual Wellness Experience:
completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/annual-wellness/

Interested in booking an annual wellness appointment?
completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

We offer in-person care in Houston and Cypress, Texas, as well as virtual medical care for patients throughout Texas, California, and New Mexico.

As always, this information is intended for educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider.

For more evidence-based information about women's health, menopause, hormone therapy, longevity, and thriving in midlife, be sure to subscribe to the channel.

RESOURCES:
New ACOG Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
drive.google.com/file/d/1IMPnlA7b…view?usp=sharing

Detailed recommendations and information on exceptions (such as previous hysterectomies or high-risk history) can be viewed directly on the ACOG Cervical Cancer Screening page.
www.acog.org/womens-health/info…l-cancer-screeningWe'll talk about the differences between Pap tests and HPV tests, how often screening is recommended at different ages, and why the guidelines have evolved as our understanding of cervical cancer prevention continues to improve.My goal is to help you understand the science behind the guidelines so you can make informed decisions about your health with confidence.RESOURCES:New ACOG Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelineshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1IMPnlA7blnGD2GsC-MHrj2OCfWAI3WSO/view?usp=sharing Detailed recommendations and information on exceptions (such as previous hysterectomies or high-risk history) can be viewed directly on the ACOG Cervical Cancer Screening page.https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/cervical-cancer-screening

It’s time to move beyond the fear-based conversation around testosterone and start discussing the science.

Testosterone is not simply a “male hormone.” It plays a critical role in women’s physiology — influencing muscle mass, endurance, motivation, cognition, mood, metabolic health, sexual function, recovery, and overall vitality.

In this video, I explore:

• The evidence behind testosterone and physical performance

• Significant improvements in muscle mass and time to exhaustion (running)

• Why free testosterone matters more than total testosterone alone

• SHBG, albumin binding, and equilibrium dialysis

• Genetic differences in androgen receptor sensitivity (CAG repeats)

• Why there is no single “optimal” testosterone number for every woman

• The importance of individualized dosing and monitoring

• Long-term safety data, including transgender testosterone research

More than 95% of testosterone is bound to SHBG and albumin. Hormonal physiology is nuanced, individualized, and far more complex than many outdated narratives suggest.

The reality is this:

When properly prescribed, dosed, and monitored, testosterone therapy is remarkably safe.

Referenced studies include:

• British Journal of Sports Medicine (May 2020)

Effects of moderately increased testosterone concentration on physical performance in young women: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z8dvTerB0fnXRhYZ8Y2dwivRHgZKvu_6/view?usp=sharing

• Louise Newson pilot study on cognition and mood

Effect of transdermal testosterone therapy on mood and cognitive symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women: a pilot study

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TxdsaiYIzKtsTmSD5NLBazeUeC250Bya/view?usp=sharing

• Long-term transgender testosterone safety data

Trans men can achieve adequate muscular development through low-dose testosterone therapy: A long-term study on body composition changeshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1aoDrxl7rMUoHLEIgXI8KAM38pg9W6vhf/view?usp=sharing

Bone Safety During the First Ten Years of Gender-Af rming Hormonal Treatment in Transwomen andTransmenhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1D47vmWxnWr9I_DBMOGcfzakZ8dGNQUMF/view?usp=sharing

The efficacy, safety, and outcomes of testosterone useamong transgender men patients: A review of the literaturehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1M11Qvii1geSYaIr141iedD75IAKV-PAX/view?usp=sharing

💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

Virtual medical care available in Texas, California, and New Mexico.

In this conversation, I explore how women’s gatherings can become spaces for connection, reflection, honesty, and transformation.

I created this video to gently encourage more women — wherever they are — to host these kinds of gatherings within their own homes, friendships, and communities. We need spaces where women can come together more intentionally, especially during seasons of transition, uncertainty, growth, and midlife change.

Throughout this video, I walk through almost everything you need to thoughtfully host a meaningful women’s gathering — from inviting people, setting the tone, and arranging the space, to guiding conversation, creating emotional safety, and allowing deeper discussions to unfold naturally and authentically.

I also share a few of the questions I personally love using during gatherings and conversations.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nw_61gkBateSIULdD_Lpgr-S00_WTYjL/view?usp=sharing