Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Lowering our “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and elevating our “good” cholesterol (HDL) is something most of us know is important for heart health. But most of us are taught that the best way to do this is with cholesterol lowering medications called statins, which are strong chemicals with lots of potentially nasty side effects. Today I’m talking about scientifically proven ways to improve your lipid panel with nutrition and plant-based supplements, so you can have a healthy heart without the drugs!

It’s the end of August and most of our kids are back in school and college, and many of us in midlife are watching our children become independent adults and leave home. The so-called “empty nest syndrome” can be experienced as a huge range of emotions- from joy, relief and pride; to grief, lack of purpose and depression. Today I’m talking about my own ongoing experience with becoming an empty nester, as well as sharing what I’ve learned from talking to thousands of women in our age group, and normalizing some of these feelings so we don’t feel alone!

Today I’m continuing the conversation about the importance of optimal thyroid function, so make sure you check out part one from last week! This episode delves into the optimal values for important labs that you should make sure that your provider checks, as well as looking at the details of all the different treatment options!

Our thyroid gland is one of the most important and under-appreciated organs in our body, controlling our metabolism and vital for every cell to function optimally! Today is Part 1 of a 2-part series, where I"ll be talking about how our thyroid works, what it needs to function optimally, why low thyroid is so frequently misdiagnosed and under treated, and what labs to request to advocate for your own thyroid optimization. Tune in next week to hear more about optimal lab values and different treatment options.

Most of us (including most doctors) don’t know that iodine is vital for our health, and deficiency in iodine is almost universal in the US. I’ll explain why iodine deficiency is becoming increasingly common and leads to thyroid disorders as well as certain cancers, and what you can do about it!

I’m often asked how to find a doctor outside of Houston who practices a similar style of medicine to mine. Today I’m offering some suggestions of how to navigate finding the right doctor. I’ll tell you what I look for in a midlife specialist and what questions to ask to make sure that you have the right person to walk with you through this really important journey!

Today I’m speaking with elite personal trainer Kelly Workman, who happens to be my trainer, as well as a woman over 50 with six children! We will be talking about my own health journey as well as sharing the most important tips for stay fit and healthy over 50, including consuming adequate protein, intermittent fasting, portion control, and a combination of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Kelly’s most important advice is to take one thing at a time and create a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable and achievable by absolutely anybody!

Here’s a really easy way to improve connection in your relationships, taught to me by one of the women quoted in my book “Sexually Woke.” Find out the top 5 things that the special people in your life really want, and give it to them! Really it’s that simple- and comes with a free dose of happiness from being generous. I challenge you to try this today - it’s so easy and costs nothing (we are not talking about Ferraris or diamond rings here, just simple things that you can do right now.) And tell your partner your 5 things as well, then commit to doing it! I can’t wait to hear what happens!

The most common annoying side effect from hormone replacement is unwanted bleeding. Today I’ll talk about why this can happen, how to evaluate it, and most importantly how to make it stop!

Most of us have heard about intermittent fasting and its benefits for weight loss and health, but many of us don’t really know why it works. Today I’m talking about my personal experience with intermittent fasting as well as the way it has worked for so many of my patients. I’ll also explore the science behind this revolutionary lifestyle change that really can shake you out of a weight loss plateau while helping you to live longer and reduce multiple diseases.

Many of us struggle with getting enough protein in our diet- especially healthy proteins that don’t elevate our cholesterol. Today I’m going to share some of my favorite high-protein foods and snacks, and show you how easy it is to get your ideal amount of daily protein. Adequate protein is critical for weight maintenance and gaining muscle especially as we age, and I’ll show you how I do it in a way that’s easy and not time-consuming!

Erectile dysfunction or ED is incredibly common, affecting more than 70% of men by the time they reach age 70-yet we rarely talk about it. This week I’ll be exploring ways that (at the same time is seeking treatment) we can use this as an opportunity to learn how to spice up our sex life and communicate better than ever. I’ll be reflecting on my book “Sexually Woke” and the way the sexually woke women approached “problems” such as ED in a different way that leads to the growth and renewed connection. Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter... Get my best-selling book, Sexually Woke: Awaken the Secrets to Your Best Sex Life in Midlife & Beyond: https://amzn.to/3rm47IU Follow me on social media: Instagram: https://bit.ly/3guuEg4 Facebook: https://bit.ly/300hzbW Podcast: https://apple.co/3ePe5NJ Learn more about me: https://drsusan.com/

Only 50% of women know that heart disease is the number one killer of women. Did you know that one in three of us will die from heart disease?- Even though it is almost always preventable! Today, I’ll share the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease and add years to your life!

I get so many questions about the food supplement DIM, what it does in relation to our hormones and if we really need to take it. Is it sham or science? Today I’ll go through everything you need to know about the science behind this mysterious plant extract, and why growing evidence supports it being beneficial in several common settings including perimenopause, and in combination with testosterone supplementation.

This week I’m touching base again on the holistic medical weight loss program. We introduced this program back in January and I'm back to update you on the fantastic success that we’ve seen over the past five months. I will review the six pillars of success that make up this unique program and the results that our patients have achieved so far! Even if you don’t live in Houston and you can’t join us in person, I’ll share the secrets of how and why a holistic weight-loss program works. These are things that each of us can do with the right mindset!

Today is my 55th birthday! And in the spirit of empowering midlife wellness, I’m reflecting on what I’ve learned so far, and how I might use those lessons to make the second half of life even better!

This week I’m sharing another testimonial of a real patient whose life was dramatically improved with hormone optimization. As a busy executive and mother of adult teenagers in her early 50s, she was feeling run down, lacking energy and noticed her athletic body changing. With hormone pellet therapy, she explains how she was able to decrease body fat and increase muscle mass, and also to gain an overall sense of motivation to try new things and to live her best life as an empty nester.

One of the most common and worrisome complaints that I hear in my office surrounds thinning hair, or loss of hair. In this episode I’ll go through the major categories of hair loss, and how to diagnose hair loss correctly so we can create a treatment plan that addresses the root cause. The good news is that in the great majority of cases, thinning hair or even sudden hair loss can be treated effectively!

I’m always so excited to share real patient testimonials. This week you can hear another real life story of how a patient’s life has been so positively changed with bio-identical hormone replacement. Not only were all of her menopause symptoms resolved, but her sex life is improved, her pre-diabetic condition completely resolved, and she is thrilled to have lost over 20 pounds and still losing!

Today I’m delving into the beautiful and complex anatomy of the clitoris and how we can learn more about it in order to teach our partners where our pleasure zones are! Even if we don’t have a partner this information will greatly help you to understand your own body and experiment with self pleasure. I’ll also be sharing ways to improve clitoral sensation especially around the time of menopause, with hormone optimization and platelet rich plasma amongst other things!

This week one of my patients opens up about her experience with Juliet laser for ending painful sex and vaginal dryness. Not surprisingly, her husband is really happy too!

I love to share stories from real patients who are feeling better and living their best lives with hormone optimization! Check out this episode and see how hormone pellets can change your life!

I receive so many questions about hormone replacement through the “Ask Dr. Susan LIVE” platform that we decided to answer the most common ones all at once today! If you have questions about hormone replacement, I bet they are answered here! If you have any questions pertaining to midlife I am here to help! You can talk to me anonymously through my YouTube channel where I'm answering all questions about menopause, middle-aged experiences, intimacy, relationships, and more! Click here to ask: https://bit.ly/3bRdcT9

Life coach and fitness professional Meg Ellis is back this week talking with me about how to incorporate movement into your life and optimize your weight loss goals. Movement is one of the six pillars of our weight loss program CMWC, and we will be talking about how to make it not only doable, but even fun!

This week’s caller on "Ask Dr. Susan LIVE, has more questions about estrogen, breast tenderness and breast cancer, as well as injections vs. pellets. You won’t want to miss it! If you have any questions pertaining to midlife I am here to help! You can talk to me anonymously through my YouTube channel where I'm answering all questions about menopause, middle-aged experiences, intimacy, relationships, and more! Click here to ask: https://bit.ly/3bRdcT9

Today I am dispelling the old myths about estrogen and breast cancer, and reviewing the literature about estrogen’s many health benefits. You can not only feel better, but you can live longer, and reduce your risk of osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and colon cancer, as well as restoring sexual function. I take it, and in the great majority of cases you should too! Order Estrogen Matters: https://amzn.to/3szss01 If you have any questions pertaining to midlife I am here to help! You can talk to me anonymously through my YouTube channel where I'm answering all questions about menopause, middle-aged experiences, intimacy, relationships, and more! Click here to ask: https://bit.ly/3bRdcT9 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter... Follow me on social media: Instagram: https://bit.ly/3guuEg4 Facebook: https://bit.ly/300hzbW

When we are trying to effect lasting change and abandon or adopt a habit, a positive mindset may be the most important aspect to master. This week I am talking again with life coach and fitness professional, Meg Ellis, about how a healthy mindset is key when adopting a weight loss program. In the episode titled, "How to Lose Weight Over 40+", we discussed the 6 pillars of my weight loss program, one of which is mindset. Today we decided to address mindset first, since without it, the other 5 pillars will be lacking a foundation. To connect with Meg Ellis you can go to https://www.phoenix8consulting.com/ or head on over to her Instagram page - @letscreateyourfate Click here for more information on my weight loss program: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/holistic-medical-weight-optimization-program/

This week on "Ask Dr. Susan Live", we’re talking about the difficult decision of having a hysterectomy when periods are extremely painful. When is the right time to make that decision? What are the pros and cons of whether to keep the ovaries? Or is it better to just wait for menopause when periods will stop on their own? I’ll give you tips on the right questions to ask, and the way to find the best doctor to navigate with you through this process. If you have any questions pertaining to midlife I am here to help! You can talk to me anonymously through my YouTube channel where I'm answering all questions about menopause, middle-aged experiences, intimacy, relationships, and more! Click here to ask: https://bit.ly/3bRdcT9

This week I'm sharing an overview of my new holistic weight loss program which has six important pillars. This body-mind-medicine approach will ensure that you CAN reach your vision for your physical body in 2022. I can't wait to share them with you, and we will expand on each one over the next few weeks! Click here for more information on the program: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/holistic-medical-weight-optimization-program/ Prefer to watch? Head on over to my YouTube channel to watch the episode: https://bit.ly/3G1gb9z

Is there a certain age when it's no longer appropriate to take hormones, especially for improving sex drive, and how do other medications like anti-depressants complicate the picture? Should we just give up on having a good sex life after a certain age? My answer is absolutely not! If you have any questions pertaining to midlife I am here to help! You can talk to me anonymously through my YouTube channel where I'm answering all questions about menopause, middle-aged experiences, intimacy, relationships, and more! Click here to ask: https://bit.ly/3bRdcT9

This week I'm getting into all of the details about perimenopausal hormone changes, and why they can make us feel so off-kilter! I will be talking about how each of the three ovarian hormones changes during perimenopause, what symptoms these changes cause for most women... and more importantly, what we can do about it!

This week we’re talking in more detail about vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse, which is a deal breaker to a healthy sex life! I’ll explain not only why this happens but how to correct it so you can enjoy pain-free sex again. Have your own question to ask? Go to drsusan.com/ask and fill out the form for a chance to be featured. Prefer to watch? Head on over to my YouTube channel to watch the episode: https://bit.ly/3G1gb9z

Do you know how long a woman can be taking estrogen? Do you know if there's a time period or a cut-off window for it? In this episode, we're talking to Michelle about how long she should take estrogen, and why she was told by her doctor that she should stop it after a certain period. We're discussing the benefits of taking hormones long-term, and why we don't want to stop them just because we've been on them for a certain number of years. Have your own question to ask? Go to drsusan.com/ask and fill out the form for a chance to be featured. Prefer to watch? Head on over to my YouTube channel to watch the episode: https://bit.ly/3G1gb9z

Today I am excited to be speaking with Dr. Shelly Burns, a Chiropractor with over 20 years of experience as well as a fitness expert, life coach, and creator of the FIT Menopause Blueprint. Her new book called “Menopause Tsunami: How to Ride the Hormone Waves like a BADASS” will be coming out next month. We talk about her personal journey as an athlete suffering with perimenopause, and how she created her 4 pillars for success for women to regain their ideal weight and confidence in midlife. You can follow the links below to join her community through social media or one of her customized fitness programs. Website: DrShellyBurns.com Private FB Group Maneuvering Menopause Community and the Meno-poss: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527410538362882 "I'm Over This Hormone Sh*t" 6 Week Blueprint starting Jan 3rd: https://perimenopausesurvivalchallenge.com/6weekblueprint

Today, I'm talking about the 3 main categories of ricks and complications of hormone pellets, especially if they are not managed properly. I'll discuss what to look out for and what to ask about when you visit a hormone pellet provider to maximize the chance of having a great experience!

This week I'm acknowledging that sometimes empty nesters (like me) are not always celebrating the joys of the freedom of midlife, and that the holidays can be really hard with loved ones not being with us. It's okay to sit in the grief, and then create an intention to move forward into your new phase of life.

Today I'm speaking again with weight loss expert, Dr. Rapul Mathur, about the reasons why the old fashion "calories in/calories out" equation just doesn't work anymore, and we have to consider other things! She shares with us the secrets of why we struggle with weight even in times of calorie deprivation, and discusses new medications that can help us to turn the corner with weight loss. To connect with Dr. Rupal Mathur you can go to https://www.lifelongweightloss.com or head on over to her Instagram page for more weight loss tips – @lifelongweightloss

On today's episode, I’m sharing the audio portion of my YouTube talk show, “Ask Dr. Susan LIVE”, where you can ask your own question about anything to do with midlife, hormones or sexual wellness! This week listeners are asking questions ranging from hormone therapy and weight gain to the safety of testosterone for breast cancer patients and more. To submit your own questions, go to drsusan.com/ask. To watch the show go to my YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3G1gb9z

It's Thanksgiving! This week I'm being inspired again by the women interviewed for my book "Sexually Woke." One of the things these women shared was a deep understanding of how to treat their relationships with intention and attention, and how to bring generosity and gratitude into the relationship every day.

Today I'm talking about four different approaches to vaginal rejuvenation including surgical and nonsurgical approaches. These procedures can enhance your sexual sensation, as well as eliminate symptoms such a stress urinary incontinence caused by muscle damage from childbirth.

In this episode, I am chatting with Dr. Nashat Latib, a Functional Medicine physician. We discuss the difference between traditional and functional medicine, and getting to the root cause of what's causing so many of us to be sick and tired. We talk about the importance of customized nutrition, detox programs, sleep and weight management, what supplements to take, and much more. Dr. Latib sees patients here in Houston at the Sydenham Clinic and if you are interested in working with her 1:1: go to: www.sydenhamclinic.com. Check out her website and opt in for a freebie at www.drnashatlatib.com and download her free "10 steps to optimize hormone balance and health". Plus you can sign up to get on the waitlist for her next detox program after you download the freebie! To get in touch with Dr. Nashat you can email her at [email protected] and follow her on Instagram at--yourfunctionaldoc Lastly, if you are interested in the clean-crafted wines we talked about in this episode, you can find them here: Scout & Cellar - https://scoutandcellar.com/ Dry Farm Wines - https://www.dryfarmwines.com/

On today's episode, I’m sharing the audio portion of my new “Ask Dr. Susan LIVE” talk show, where you can ask your own question about anything to do with midlife, hormones or sexual wellness! This week listeners are asking questions ranging from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair restoration to what the best delivery methods for bioidentical hormones are. To submit your own questions, go to drsusan.com/ask. To watch the show go to my YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3G1gb9z

In this episode, I'm speaking again with my friend and fellow life coach Meg Ellis about how to manifest (or create) what you want in life, simply by changing your mindset. We discuss how training your mind to pay attention to what you DO want, rather than what you don't want, and believing that it exists, can transform every outcome in your life. Just like the time and repetition that it takes to build physical muscles, repeatedly practicing these techniques can literally rewire your brain to create positive outcomes in all areas of your life. This simple but countercultural technique applies not only to personal and career goals, but also to intimate and sexual relationships. What resonated most with me in this discussion is that it takes us out of the victim position of leading an accidental life- a life with things "happening to me" - to instead being 100% responsible for the outcomes in my life because of my own choices. I hope you enjoy this powerful conversation!

On today's episode, I’m sharing the audio portion of my new “Ask Dr. Susan LIVE” talk show, where you can ask your own question about anything to do with midlife, hormones or sexual wellness! This week listeners are asking questions ranging from how to tell if you are in perimenopause to curing vaginal dryness when you cannot safely take HRT. To submit your own questions, go to drsusan.com/ask. To watch the show go to my YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3G1gb9z

This week I am delighted to be talking with Dr. Barbara Taylor, also known as “Menopause Taylor” and author of “Menopause: Your Management Your Way.” Barbie is a retired gynecologist who now focuses solely on educating women about menopause, though her book, her popular YouTube channel, webinars and private consultations. We talk about her personal journey to becoming a menopause educator, and our combined passion about the importance of educating women about menopause. Starting from the basics of female anatomy, Barbie and I discuss the huge gap in education about menopause, not only for women but also health care providers. We talk about the importance for each of us to educate ourselves fully, so that we can be armed with knowledge when we visit our health care providers and optimize our health in midlife and beyond. I talk to Barbie about all the ways that she offers menopause education in a fun, memorable and accessible way, recognizing that each woman is unique and different.

On today's episode, I’m sharing the audio portion of my new “Ask Dr. Susan LIVE” talk show, where you can ask your own question about anything to do with midlife, hormones or sexual wellness! This week listeners are asking questions ranging from if hormone replacement therapy causes cancer to what specific tests or treatments there are for postpartum depression. To submit your own questions, go to drsusan.com/ask. To watch the show go to my YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/2Ykgwmv

Today I'm talking about how to deepen your intimate relationships by making the brave choice to tell the truth. Of course we don't lie, but I will talk about all the ways that we withhold, bend, manipulate and stretch the truth to get what we want and hide who we really are. Telling the truth doesn't mean blurting out what you feel, but rather finding the appropriate time to kindly and carefully let your partner know what you truly feel. In this way, we can break down the walls of our stories of being "not good enough" and allow ourselves to be fully seen, so that we can experience the deepest level of intimacy without resentment or withholding.

On today's episode, I’m sharing the audio portion of my new “Ask Dr. Susan LIVE” talk show, where you can ask your own question about anything to do with midlife, hormones or sexual wellness! This week listeners are asking questions ranging from how old you can be to take a hormone replacement to getting pregnant in our 40s. To submit your own questions, go to drsusan.com/ask. To watch the show go to my YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3yVrziD.

Today I'm talking about the often embarrassing, scary and "unsexy" problem of hair loss, which often accelerates around menopause. I'll be talking about my multiple step approach to help with hair loss, investigating everything from hormones, to stress, diet, and innovations such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), stem cell therapy, medications including Propecia, Minoxidil, Spironolactone, Nutrafol...and the nitty gritty of what really works.

On today's "encore episode," I will revisit a subject I get asked about all of the time: the secrets of the sexually woke. During my research study on a group of over 1,000 women in midlife, I discovered a group of women who are enjoying the most vibrant sex of their lives at 40, 50, and beyond. In today's episode, I will share the three secrets to sexual reawakening that I write about in my book, Sexually Woke and how you too can become sexually woke.