Meet Coral’s Medical Director, Dr. Ariane Ouellet-Decoste
She shares the “why” behind her pivot from the emergency room to leading a women’s health startup, and her belief that teamwork is essential for quality patient care.
Q: What sparked your interest in preventative and lifestyle medicine?
I’m trained in family medicine, but worked full-time in the emergency room for 15 years. My Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis later in life became a turning point that opened my eyes to how important movement, nutrition, stress-management, and sleep are for supporting long-term health.
Q: What inspired your focus on perimenopause and menopause?
There’s an immense, unmet need for women during midlife. Women are actively seeking answers, which creates a window to help them reflect on their lifestyle. I also have a strong conviction to support women in the workplace. I don’t want their symptoms to prevent them from achieving their goals and dreams.
Q: How does Coral’s team-based approach guide patient care as it relates to MHT?
MHT isn’t one-size-fits-all, and frequent adjustment based on symptoms is the norm. As a doctor, it’s a luxury to know my patients have a dedicated support team to answer their questions and coach them through the adjustment process.
Q: Your alternative education emphasized critical thinking. How does that translate to your medical practice?
It shapes my approach to patient communication. I can’t just do something because I have to do it—I need to know why. I practice evidence-informed medicine, which takes into account research studies as well as the patient’s views, and values shared patient-clinician decision making.
Q: The perimenopause journey can feel unpredictable. Do you find that your comfort with chaos from your ER days helps women through this stage?
Yes! I love solving problems and not always knowing what’s next. It’s common for many women to feel completely out of control when their hormones and metabolism change, and what used to work doesn’t anymore. I remind them that it’s okay to try something new and to keep trying things—with our support and guidance—until they feel better.
Q: If you could give women one tip about this stage of life, what would it be?
Don’t ignore bladder issues! Symptoms like frequent urgency or recurrent UTIs are often related to menopause, and unlike hot flashes or mood changes, they won’t improve over time without treatment. Local vaginal hormone therapy is very safe and effective, even for older women. We, as doctors, are asking the FDA to remove the “black box warning” on these treatments so women can access this critical care more easily.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider to determine what is best for your individual health needs.
