Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith

06/18/2026

Progesterone plays a major role in sleep, mood, PMS symptoms, and menstrual cycle changes—but what happens during perimenopause?

In this short video, I explain what every woman should know about progesterone during the perimenopausal years and why symptoms often tell us more than a single blood test.

If you’re experiencing changes and wondering whether hormones may be involved, we’re here to help.

📍 Come see us at Complete Midlife Wellness Center.
Link in bio.

📺 Want the deeper dive? Watch the full video, released yesterday on my YouTube channel. Link in bio.

HormoneHealth

06/17/2026

🎥 Just released on YouTube — link in bio!

Progesterone is one of the most misunderstood hormones in women’s health, and many women are surprised to learn that a single blood test often doesn’t tell the whole story.

In this video, I explain what progesterone does, how levels change throughout a woman’s reproductive life, why progesterone fluctuates so much during perimenopause, and when testing may—or may not—be helpful.

We also discuss common symptoms associated with declining or fluctuating progesterone and why symptoms and clinical context are often more important than a single laboratory value.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your progesterone is “low,” this video is for you.

Watch now on YouTube — link in bio.

06/17/2026

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



https://youtu.be/s13pJ2M17Ag

Progesterone is one of the most important reproductive hormones in ...

06/11/2026

Writing, reading, researching, reflecting.

Some of my favorite hours are spent exploring new ideas about health, aging, and what it really means to thrive in midlife.

There has never been a better time to be a woman entering this stage of life—and I believe we're only beginning to understand what's possible. ✨

# 💌

06/10/2026

A few weeks ago, I posted a video about the timing of hormone therapy—when to start it, whether there is an ideal window, and whether women can still benefit if they begin years after menopause.

The response was incredible. Thousands of women watched, shared their stories, and asked thoughtful questions.

The most common question by far was:

“Have I missed my opportunity to benefit from hormone therapy?”

So I decided to create a much deeper dive into what the science actually tells us.

In this video, I discuss when hormone therapy may offer the greatest benefits, what we’ve learned from the Women’s Health Initiative study, how newer research such as the ELITE trial has changed our understanding, and what today’s evidence means for women considering hormone therapy now.

Whether you’re thinking about starting hormone therapy, wondering if you should continue, or questioning whether it’s too late to begin, this video is for you.

🎥 Watch the full video now. Link in bio.

06/10/2026

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

Now that we understand much more about the potential health benefit...

06/09/2026

Big news! 🎙️

I recently had the pleasure of joining The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: testosterone.

We covered it all—safety, benefits, delivery methods, how to avoid side effects, safe pellet dosing, where pellet therapy has gone wrong, ideal hormone levels, total vs. free testosterone, the advantages of LCMS testing, and much more.

I also shared an exclusive preview of the four scientific studies I'm currently conducting alongside Mohit Khera and his team at Baylor College of Medicine, exploring important questions about testosterone therapy and women's health.

This conversation is packed with practical information, emerging science, and answers to many of the questions women ask every day.

🎧 The episode goes live this August. Stay tuned—I can't wait to share it with you.

06/08/2026

Considering vaginal rejuvenation but not sure what the procedure actually looks like?

Join me on YouTube for a behind-the-scenes look at a live treatment and learn how Juliet laser therapy can help improve vaginal dryness, discomfort, urinary symptoms, and overall vaginal health during and after menopause.

YouTube link 🔗 in bio

If you’ve been curious about the procedure, this is your chance to see exactly what happens, hear my commentary throughout the treatment, and learn who may be a good candidate.

☀️ Summer Special Offer ☀️

Juliet Laser Package + Complimentary O-Shot
Regular Price: $3,500
Summer Special: $3,000
Save $500

Watch the video, see the procedure for yourself, and take advantage of our limited-time summer offer.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact our team today.

06/03/2026

🚨 JUST RELEASED: New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

This is one of the most important women's health updates of 2026 — and many women haven't heard about it yet.

The brand-new recommendations from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists may change:
✔️ How often you need cervical cancer screening
✔️ Which tests are now recommended
✔️ Whether you need a Pap smear, an HPV test, or both
✔️ When screening can safely stop after age 65
✔️ The role of new at-home HPV testing options

In this newly released YouTube video, Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith breaks down what these guidelines mean for real women and why these changes matter.

You'll learn:
• Screening recommendations for ages 21–29
• HPV testing guidance for ages 30–65
• When screening may safely end after age 65
• Home-collected HPV testing, including the Teal Wand
• Who may need more frequent screening and why

As our understanding of cervical cancer prevention continues to evolve, so do the recommendations. Staying informed helps you make confident, evidence-based decisions about your health.

And remember: not needing a Pap smear every year does not mean you should skip your annual wellness visit. Preventive care involves much more than cervical cancer screening alone.

🎥 This is a must-watch video for every woman. LINK IN BIO

💻 Interested in scheduling an annual wellness appointment?
Contact us. LINK IN BIO



ACOG NEW GUIDELINES - LINK IN BIO

New cervical cancer screening recommendations have just been releas...

06/02/2026

Prevention is one of the most powerful forms of self-care.

Yesterday, I had my annual 3D mammogram and bone density scan, and it reminded me how important it is to make time for the screenings that help us stay healthy and informed.

So much of women’s health is about being proactive rather than reactive. Mammograms can detect changes long before symptoms appear, and bone density testing can identify early signs of bone loss before a fracture occurs. These simple screenings give us information, options, and the opportunity to take action when it matters most.

As women, we spend so much time caring for everyone around us. Our own health deserves that same attention.

I’m grateful for the excellent experience I had at Privia Gulf Coast Imaging in Houston. The team was kind, efficient, and professional, and the entire visit—from check-in through both tests—took less than 20 minutes.

If you’re due for your screening, consider this your gentle reminder to schedule it. Your future self will be glad you did. 🤍

📍 Privia Gulf Coast Imaging
7900 Fannin Street, Suite 1500
Houston, TX 77054