{"id":25698,"date":"2025-06-12T12:03:21","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T10:03:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beautytherapy.absolution-cosmetics.com\/wellness\/menopause-isabelle-carron\/"},"modified":"2025-06-12T12:40:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T10:40:59","slug":"menopause-isabelle-carron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beautytherapy.absolution-cosmetics.com\/en\/our-news\/menopause-isabelle-carron\/","title":{"rendered":"Isabelle Carron: \u201cMenopause is not a decline.\u201d\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We asked a few questions to Isabelle Carron, our founder and naturopath, to help us better understand perimenopause and menopause \u2014 and navigate this transition with (almost) complete peace of mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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How would you define menopause?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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It\u2019s a natural stage of life, marking the end of fertility. It\u2019s not the beginning of the end, as society often suggests, but rather the start of a new cycle. As a naturopath, I see it as a major transition \u2014 physical, hormonal, emotional, and even spiritual \u2014 that deserves to be supported with gentleness and precision. Every woman experiences menopause in her own way.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\r\n

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At what age does menopause usually begin?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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On average, it begins around age 51, but perimenopause can start much earlier \u2014 sometimes as early as 40. The age varies greatly, which is exactly why personalised support is so important.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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What are the warning signs?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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The most common ones are hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, unexplained fatigue, irregular periods, brain fog, low spirits, weight gain, joint pain\u2026 there\u2019s quite a list to choose from! I believe more than 70 possible symptoms have been recorded. But remember \u2014 not everyone experiences them, or not in the same way. Other symptoms can also appear later: vaginal dryness, decreased libido, anxiety. I also see changes in skin, digestion, and overall vitality. It\u2019s often a disorienting time.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\r\n

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How did you experience perimenopause yourself, and what changes did you make?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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Well, I started with a good dose of denial! My periods became irregular, then I bled non-stop for two months\u2026 all while experiencing intense night sweats that woke me up. I went to the gynaecologist, who told me I was likely in perimenopause and gave me tests and a support treatment to follow. I didn\u2019t do either \u2014 and the very next day, everything went back to normal \ud83d\ude09 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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That phase felt a lot like adolescence \u2014 uncomfortable in your own skin, what used to work no longer does, and symptoms come and go without warning. It was unsettling, but also brought new interests, strong intuitions, and a huge breath of freedom! I changed my diet, incorporated more movement, and supported my detox organs \u2014 especially the liver and adrenals. That helped me stay more balanced. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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What are your thoughts on available treatments?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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It depends on the individual. Hormone therapy can be an excellent option, but it\u2019s not for everyone. Plants and medicinal mushrooms can also provide great support: sage, soy, ashwagandha, reishi, red clover\u2026 In naturopathy, we aim to restore balance naturally, supporting the body rather than forcing it into a fixed model.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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How can you manage hot flashes naturally?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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Support the liver, avoid stimulants (alcohol, coffee, sugar), incorporate adaptogenic plants like sage or shatavari, and nourish the adrenals. Sauna can also help \u2014 surprisingly! But you have to test and adjust. There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all solution.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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And what about loss of libido?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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It\u2019s multifactorial \u2014 hormonal, emotional, relational. You can boost overall vitality, circulation, and natural oestrogen levels. Lubricants are helpful too, since the vaginal wall thins and dries out after oestrogen drops \u2014 hyaluronic acid or even a pea-sized amount of oestrogen cream can help. It’s essential to keep seeing your gynaecologist and speak up if intercourse becomes painful. Above all, you need to reclaim your body and your pleasure \u2014 without pressure. And remember, menopause is a transformation your partner also needs to understand and embrace.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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How can we anticipate physical changes?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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By staying active, nourishing your muscles, improving sleep, and embracing a diet rich in omega-3, calcium, and magnesium. Listen to your needs \u2014 not external dogmas.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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What lifestyle changes would you recommend?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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Move often, lighten your plate without weakening it, increase protein intake, lift weights, get good sleep, pleasure, connection. Take vitamin D3 daily from October to May (if you live in a northern climate). Support your detox organs \u2014 liver, gut, adrenals. That\u2019s the foundation of long-term vitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\r\n

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Are there any foods you suggest avoiding or favouring?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n
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Instead of banning, I prefer to say: favour plant-based foods, omega-3s, quality proteins, flax seeds, and whole carbohydrates. Reduce ultra-processed foods, fast sugars, and stimulants.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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Say yes to:<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n

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