Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith

10/20/2026

Sip, Shop & Chat! 🥂💕 Join Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith and Elaine Turner for a special evening of friendship, fashion, and meaningful conversation about midlife health, hormones, and women's wellness.

In honor of Menopause Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're bringing women together for an evening of connection, honest conversations, and a little shopping!

Explore Elaine's beautiful new fall collection while enjoying ch*****ne, light bites, and great company.

📅 Wednesday, October 28
⏰ 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 edit. by Elaine Turner
6539 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX

Limited seating! Please RSVP to [email protected].

We can't wait to see you there! 💕

10/18/2026

On World Menopause Day, here is what I want every woman to know: You deserve more than being told to “get through it.”

You deserve to understand your body. To have your questions welcomed and your symptoms taken seriously. To discuss your options without shame, fear, or dismissal.

As a physician and a woman who has lived this transition, I want us to expect more—not just from healthcare, but from the way the world sees women in midlife.

Our health, our wellbeing, our voices, and our dreams deserve attention—in the care we receive and in the way we are seen and heard.

To every woman still searching for answers: keep asking. And to everyone who cares for, works with, or loves her: listen.

With love,
Susan ❤️

10/14/2026

For decades, women with a history of breast cancer have been told that menopausal hormone therapy is simply not an option. But what happens when we take a closer look at the research behind that recommendation?

In this video, I revisit one of the most debated questions in menopause medicine: Can women who have had breast cancer safely consider hormone therapy?

WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Link in bio

Drawing on decades of research, including the work of Avrum Z. Bluming, MD, and other leading experts, I explore what we know about hormone therapy, breast cancer recurrence, mortality, and the differences between various types of risk.

Some findings challenge long-standing assumptions, while other studies raise important safety concerns. And that’s exactly why this conversation deserves more than a simple yes or no.

We also need to consider what happens when women are left to manage significant menopausal symptoms without effective treatment. Sleep, sexual health, bone health, and overall quality of life matter, too.

Does a history of breast cancer mean hormone therapy should always be ruled out? Or is there room for a more individualized conversation?

The answer depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, its hormone receptor status, treatment history, individual risk factors, and the available evidence. Systemic hormone therapy is generally not recommended after breast cancer because of recurrence concerns, but that doesn’t mean every patient’s circumstances or treatment options are identical.

My goal is not to tell every woman what decision to make. It’s to encourage better questions, a deeper understanding of the evidence, and meaningful conversations with the physicians involved in her care.

Because women deserve to understand both the potential benefits and the risks before making decisions about their health.

Interested in booking an appointment?
LINK IN BIO

📍 In-person care in Houston and Cypress
💻 Virtual medical care across Texas, California, Colorado and New Mexico

10/14/2026

For decades, women with a history of breast cancer have been told that menopausal hormone therapy is simply not an option. But what happens when we take a closer look at the research behind that recommendation?

In this video, I revisit one of the most debated questions in menopause medicine: Can women who have had breast cancer safely consider hormone therapy?

Drawing on decades of research, including the work of Avrum Z. Bluming, MD, and other leading experts, I explore what we know about hormone therapy, breast cancer recurrence, mortality, and the differences between various types of risk.

Some findings challenge long-standing assumptions, while other studies raise important safety concerns. And that's exactly why this conversation deserves more than a simple yes or no.

We also need to consider what happens when women are left to manage significant menopausal symptoms without effective treatment. Sleep, sexual health, bone health, and overall quality of life matter, too.

Does a history of breast cancer mean hormone therapy should always be ruled out? Or is there room for a more individualized conversation?

The answer depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, its hormone receptor status, treatment history, individual risk factors, and the available evidence. Systemic hormone therapy is generally not recommended after breast cancer because of recurrence concerns, but that doesn't mean every patient's circumstances or treatment options are identical.

My goal is not to tell every woman what decision to make. It's to encourage better questions, a deeper understanding of the evidence, and meaningful conversations with the physicians involved in her care.

Because women deserve to understand both the potential benefits and the risks before making decisions about their health.

Resources & Research

Hormone Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer: It Is Time
Avrum Z. Bluming, MD
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
https://bit.ly/41leKyt

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

📍 In-person care in Houston and Cypress
💻 Virtual medical care across Texas, California, Colorado and New Mexico



https://youtu.be/14C8GMWLKaI

For decades, women with a history of breast cancer have been told t...

10/13/2026

Expert menopause care should fit your needs—and your budget. At our Cypress location, you can choose from two clear care pathways: a focused starting point or a more comprehensive, in-depth assessment.

Different levels of care. The same specialized expertise, personalized attention, and transparent pricing.

Because the right plan isn’t always the biggest plan—it’s the one that’s right for you.

📍 Cypress appointments available
📞 713-497-5727 | Link in bio

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Can GLP-1 medications cause vision loss? And if you’re taking semaglutide or another GLP-1 agonist, is NAION something you should actually be worried about?

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON YOUTUBE - LINK IN BIO

In this video, I take a closer look at the emerging research around GLP-1 agonists and NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), a rare but serious condition that can cause sudden vision loss.

We’ll put the headlines into perspective by looking at relative risk versus absolute risk, how rare NAION actually is, and what the current evidence does—and does not—tell us about a possible connection with GLP-1 medications.

And that context matters.

GLP-1 medications have demonstrated important benefits that extend well beyond weight loss, including cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, with growing evidence across kidney disease, fatty liver disease/MASH, peripheral artery disease, and other areas of health.

So should concerns about NAION change the way we think about these medications?

As always, it comes down to understanding the actual risk, considering the potential benefits, and making an individualized decision with your healthcare provider.

I’ll also discuss the latest expert guidance and why getting regular eye exams and paying attention to changes in your vision should be part of the conversation.

Learn more 🔗 Watch on YouTube

Book an appointment with us
📍In-person care in Houston and Cypress
💻 Virtual care across Texas, California, Colorado, and New Mexico

10/07/2026

Can GLP-1 medications cause vision loss? And if you’re taking semaglutide or another GLP-1 agonist, is NAION something you should actually be worried about?

In this video, I take a closer look at the emerging research around GLP-1 agonists and NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), a rare but serious condition that can cause sudden vision loss.

We’ll put the headlines into perspective by looking at relative risk versus absolute risk, how rare NAION actually is, and what the current evidence does—and does not—tell us about a possible connection with GLP-1 medications.

And that context matters.

GLP-1 medications have demonstrated important benefits that extend well beyond weight loss, including cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, with growing evidence across kidney disease, fatty liver disease/MASH, peripheral artery disease, and other areas of health.

So should concerns about NAION change the way we think about these medications?

As always, it comes down to understanding the actual risk, considering the potential benefits, and making an individualized decision with your healthcare provider.

I’ll also discuss the latest expert guidance and why getting regular eye exams and paying attention to changes in your vision should be part of the conversation.

Studies and resources discussed in this video are linked below:

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Consensus Statement by the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology

https://www.aao.org/education/clinical-statement/glucagon-like-peptide-1-receptor-agonists-risk-of-

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Cardioprotection Beyond Weight Loss and Longevity in Mice:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lpo9-h8Ta52nVXHuvcWpz9ZMcKXrLeZ-/view?usp=sharing

Complete Midlife Wellness Center
Learn More About Our Holistic Medical Optimization Program
https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/holistic-medical-weight-optimization-program/info/

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

📍 In-person care in Houston and Cypress
💻 Virtual medical care across Texas, California, Colorado and New Mexico



https://youtu.be/xYZVfqexbkg

Can GLP-1 medications cause vision loss? And if you’re taking semag...

10/06/2026

We’re expanding to Colorado! 🏔️

We are incredibly proud to announce that Brandi Wachel, WHNP, is now licensed to care for women in Colorado through secure virtual visits.

A certified Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Brandi brings nearly three decades of experience in women’s healthcare—including obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic oncology, menopause care, and hormone therapy.

But what truly distinguishes Brandi is the way she cares for women. She listens closely, looks at the complete picture, and builds the kind of trusted relationships that often last for decades. She is an essential part of who we are at Complete Midlife Wellness Center, and we are thrilled that more women can now benefit from her expertise.

Women throughout Colorado can connect virtually with Brandi for personalized perimenopause, menopause, and hormone care—without traveling to Houston.

Colorado women, we’re ready to meet you. Visit the link in our bio to learn more or schedule a virtual consultation.

10/06/2026

Colorado, we’re here! 🏔️

Complete Midlife Wellness Center is expanding virtual medical care to women in Colorado with Brandi Wachel, WHNP, who is now licensed in the state.

This is more than coaching or a quick prescription. Brandi provides comprehensive virtual care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, hormone concerns, and midlife weight changes—including clinical evaluation, laboratory review, personalized treatment, prescriptions when appropriate, and ongoing monitoring.

Expert midlife care, now available from the privacy and convenience of your home.

Learn more or request a virtual consultation:
https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/services/expert-virtual-care-for-perimenopause-and-menopause/

SERVICE Virtual Medical Care for Perimenopause and Menopause We evaluate, diagnose, and treat perimenopause and menopause through structured, physician-guided virtual care—designed to be more accessible and easier to begin. Full medical care, delivered remotely Virtual care at CMWC isn’t a light...