Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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

Perimenopause is one of the most misunderstood phases in a woman’s life—and too often, it’s missed entirely.

Every day, I see women who have been told they’re “too young,” that their labs are “normal,” or that what they’re experiencing is simply stress or something psychological. And yet, they know something is changing.

Perimenopause is not a steady decline. It’s a phase of hormonal unpredictability—where estrogen can fluctuate significantly, progesterone declines, and testosterone gradually shifts. These changes can drive a wide range of symptoms that may seem unrelated, but are deeply connected.

Yet many women find their symptoms are addressed in isolation—often without a comprehensive view of their hormonal landscape.

I believe we can do better.

This is where the concept of midlife baseline screening becomes essential. By measuring hormones thoughtfully and at the right time, we can move from assumption to clarity—and from generalized care to a more precise, individualized approach.

In this video, I walk through:

– Why perimenopause is often overlooked

– What is actually happening hormonally

– The limitations of symptom-only care

– The role of baseline screening

– How to find a provider trained in perimenopause and menopause care

My goal is simple: to help you better understand your body, and to ensure you are met with the level of care and expertise you deserve.

If you’re navigating perimenopause, you are not alone—and there are answers.

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

We offer care across three convenient locations—in the vibrant Houston Museum District, the heart of Tanglewood/Piney Point, and in Cypress, serving Northwest Houston.

For those who prefer remote access, we provide secure virtual medical care across Texas, California, and New Mexico.

Coaching programs in perimenopause and menopause are available nationwide and globally.

Our services are thoughtfully designed by women who understand your journey and delivered by menopause-certified professionals.

Testosterone is often misunderstood in women—and too often reduced to oversimplified or fear-based messaging. The reality is this: testosterone can be a safe and effective therapy for women—particularly for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) and other symptoms of low testosterone—when it is dosed appropriately.

And that’s the key.
When dosing is right—meaning carefully adjusted for female physiology and monitored over time—women are not limited to a single option. They can choose the delivery method that fits their body and their life.

In this video, I walk you through:

🌿 What testosterone actually does in the female body

🌿 Common symptoms of low testosterone

🌿 When therapy may be appropriate

🌿 The difference between FDA-approved testosterone products for men and the formulations commonly used in women

🌿 How dosing is approached in women (low, individualized, and not one-size-fits-all)

🌿 The pros and cons of different delivery methods, including gels, injections, and pellets

We also touch on emerging clinical experience and ongoing research exploring pellet dosing in women, including work in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine. Early observations suggest that, when dosing is appropriate, stable levels and low rates of side effects are achievable—and in some cases may compare favorably to the variability seen with topical therapies.

This is not about one method being “right” and another being “wrong.” It’s about understanding that dose—not delivery—is what determines safety and outcomes.

Testosterone is an important hormone in women. It affects libido, mood, energy, muscle, bone, and overall quality of life.

We need more research.
We need better education.
And we need to move toward collaborative, patient-centered care—where women are informed, supported, and able to choose what works best for them.

As always, hormone therapy should be individualized and guided by a qualified clinician.

A must-watch video: Should Women Use Male Testosterone Products? | Real-Life Demo with Dr. Susan https://youtu.be/nQlrkWpZOAE

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

💻 We offer virtual medical care in Texas, California, and New Mexico.

In this video, I talk about something that has quietly shaped my life—and continues to guide how I move through midlife today: learning how to truly listen to myself.

This idea is deeply influenced by the work of Martha Beck—quieting the noise of expectations, stepping away from “shoulds,” and reconnecting with a deeper, more honest inner voice. I share three ideas that have become anchors for me:
• Learning to recognize when something feels like a true “yes” or a clear “no”
• Understanding how going against yourself creates tension and internal friction
• Making small, aligned choices that shape how you feel—and who you become over time.

When I began to listen—really listen—things started to feel simpler, calmer, and more clear. I also talk about the importance of stepping out of your everyday environment.

Retreats, gatherings, and intentional time away create space to reconnect, reflect, and learn new ways of moving through this phase of life.

This is also the foundation of the work I’m building right now, including my upcoming book and a recent video:

Become Your Best Elder Self — One Choice at a Time
LINK - https://youtu.be/fhgEepyXGfs
Because the way you age is not accidental.
It’s shaped—quietly and consistently—by the choices you make every day.

Martha Beck, PhD — sociologist, author, and life coach
https://marthabeck.com/

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