Menopause retreats are the latest wellness trend for women

by Victoria McDonald for Travel Tomorrow

The wellness industry has been growing at a significant rate in recent years, notably in regards to women’s health. More research and recognition are emerging vis-à-vis the complexity and evolving nature of menstrual health throughout a woman’s life. As the world’s ageing population increases, a study by the North American Menopause Society estimates that 1.1 billion women will have had menopause by 2025, the lesser discussed topic of menopause is on the table.

One of the issues surrounding the development of menopause solutions is in its subjectivity. Menopause affects every woman differently and symptoms manifest in a myriad of ways. For example, hot flushes, mood swings and weight fluctuation. There are already a variety of supplements, medication and nutrition programs on the market designed to help ease the often discomforting symptoms of menopause. However, now it is being considered that in some instances, what some women might need to cope with the transition is to simply relax, away from the stressors of everyday life and to feel understood in their experience.

Wellness retreats centred around menopause are beginning to pop up around the globe, with some receiving positive feedback online from celebrities and influencers. The Ananda Resort in the Himalayas has been gaining traction from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Uma Thurman for its wellness programs. Its 14-day “hormonal balance” program, although not specifically for menopause, features hormone testing and individually tailored plans for exercise and diet.

“It is not simply the menopause we want to address. Before the menopause they need to prepare themselves for a proper hormonal balance,” commented Dr. Naresh Perembuduri, an Ayurvedic doctor at the Ananda resort when describing their hormonal balancing program.

Some women have reflected on the fulfilment experienced purely from forging connections alongside other women going through the same challenges. Menoheaven is a bi-annual retreat located one hour to the south of London and includes group sharing circles and informative workshops to help women deconstruct taboos and deepen understanding around this biological process.

With the rise of self-care in recent years, there are now many social media accounts providing tips and support in managing menopause and perimenopause, the stage before. But there is still quite a way to go in terms of research and understanding on the topic and one should be cautioned in the face of treatments that promise medical cures. For now, what these retreats intend to provide is an introduction into getting women more in-touch with their bodies, soothe discomfort and provide education and community, forming building blocks to better manage this phase of womanhood that typically lasts for several years.