Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

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

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

I’ve been reviewing the new Consumer Reports investigation on lead (heavy metal) levels in protein powders and shakes, and I wanted to walk through it with you. The report tested 23 popular products and found that many exceeded what CR considers safe daily limits for lead in just one serving. It’s important information — but it’s also something that needs context. You can read the full Consumer Reports article here: https://www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein-powders-and-shakes-contain-high-levels-of-lead-a4206364640/ In this video, I share my take on the findings: why it’s essential to read the full report, understand what those numbers actually mean, and evaluate your real intake rather than reacting to headlines alone. Not all powders are created equal, and your overall exposure matters. My approach is simple: stay informed, choose brands that take testing seriously, and avoid unnecessary risk. For now, my safe options are: • Thorne Whey Protein — high-quality sourcing and third-party tested. • David’s Protein Bars — clean ingredients and transparent labeling. I’ve linked both companies below if you want to take a closer look. www.thorne.com www.davidprotein.com Staying safe doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it just takes understanding the data and making choices that support your long-term health. Let’s go through it together.

In this video, I share my personal experience with low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis and inflammatory knee pain — a treatment with a long history in Europe that’s now being re-examined in the U.S. as a safe, evidence-based option for chronic orthopedic pain. Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) involves the use of very small, precisely targeted doses of radiation — typically one-tenth or less of what’s used in cancer treatment — to reduce inflammation and modulate immune response in joints, tendons, and soft tissues. Research has shown that these low doses can help relieve pain and improve mobility, often providing durable results without the side effects of steroids or long-term medications. I’m joined by Dr. Sanjay Mehta, Radiation Oncologist at St. Joseph Cancer Center in Houston, to discuss the science behind this therapy, its mechanisms of action, and the clinical outcomes we’re seeing today for conditions such as: • Osteoarthritis • inflammatory knee pain • Plantar fasciitis • Tennis elbow • Shoulder and joint pain You’ll also see a glimpse of my own treatment session, as we explore how this “old yet new” approach is helping patients regain comfort, function, and quality of life — without medications or surgery. Resources: Dr. Sanjay Mehta, Radiation Oncologist St. Joseph Cancer Center https://drsanjaymehta.com/

In this final episode of my Menopause Awareness Month mini-series, we’re tackling a question I hear almost daily: Does testosterone replacement really help women? The answer is yes — absolutely, when it’s prescribed and monitored by a clinician experienced in midlife hormone therapy. Here’s what’s important to understand: both men and women have testosterone — the difference is in the amount, not the presence. On average, women have about one-tenth the testosterone of men at a similar age. Beyond its well-known role in sexual desire (particularly for women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, or HSDD), optimized testosterone supports a wide range of systems that often decline during midlife. Adequate levels can: ✨ Enhance muscle mass and protect bone density ✨ Improve mood, motivation, and cognitive clarity ✨ Support deeper, more restorative sleep If you’re wondering whether testosterone might help you, consider these three simple screening questions: ✅ Did your sex drive use to be better? ✅ Do you wish it were better? ✅ Is that change causing you distress or relationship strain? If you answered “yes” to these, it’s worth checking your levels. For most women, healthy ranges fall around 50–100 ng/dL — but what truly matters is how you feel, not just the number. This episode explains how we safely restore testosterone to optimal levels and why individualized, physician-guided therapy makes all the difference. 📘 Get my best-selling book: Sexually Woke: Awaken the Secrets to Your Best Sex Life in Midlife & Beyond 💻 Book an appointment: completemidlifewellnesscenter.com

This video is the first in my three-part mini-series for Menopause Awareness Month, where I’m tackling some of the most common — and most confusing — questions about hormones in midlife. In this first episode, we’re diving into whether we should take estrogen replacement in perimenopause: ✨ When to consider it ✨ Why we have symptoms some days not others ✨ What form of estradiol replacement is appropriate for perimenopause ✨ What the latest science reveals about its role in easing symptoms and supporting long-term health. There’s a lot of fear and misinformation out there, and my goal is simple: to bring clarity over confusion, so you can make informed, confident decisions about your body. Watch this first part now, and stay tuned for the next two episodes in the series: 1️⃣ Progesterone After Hysterectomy 2️⃣ Testosterone for Women in Menopause If you find this helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with a friend — because the more we talk about menopause, the less mysterious it becomes. ✨ Learn more about our programs: 🔹 Health & Hormone Optimization Consultations → https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/on-hormone-consultations/ 🔹 Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) → https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/on-mht-including-pellets/