PodcastsHealth & WellnessEmpowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith
Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan
Latest episode

243 episodes

  • Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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

    2026/03/25 | 21 mins.
    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
  • Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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

    2026/03/19 | 24 mins.
    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
  • Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

    10 Dumb Things Women Are Told About Menopause

    2026/03/04 | 28 mins.
    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.
  • Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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

    2026/02/20 | 13 mins.
    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
  • Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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

    2026/02/18 | 11 mins.
    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, New Mexico, and California.
    If you’re ready for a comprehensive approach — we’re here.
    www.completemidlifewellness.com

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About Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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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