Belly dancing, yoga in the forest, traditional Chinese medicine, and meetings with a nutritionist are just a few of the activities you can find at menopause retreats. This wellness trend is carving a new niche in the tourism industry.
Menopause retreats are specifically designed to help women navigate the different stages of perimenopause and menopause, along with the accompanying symptoms like hot flashes and achy joints. With the pandemic, more resorts are now promoting menopause-focused vacations, and more women are signing up for them.
“Consumers have realized the importance of taking care of themselves. Their health is their own responsibility. So instead of going on a generic spa retreat, people are now seeking purpose-driven retreats,” said Lisa Starr, a spa business consultant. Considering the large number of menopausal women, this trend is gaining popularity.
It’s quite liberating actually that suddenly people are beginning to actually speak about menopause.
According to the Global Wellness Summit, the menopause market is projected to be worth $600 billion by 2025, with over one billion women entering perimenopause during that time period.
The pandemic has accelerated this trend. Women have gone beyond traditional spa treatments and are now seeking more comprehensive retreats. An example is Combe Grove’s metabolic health retreat for menopause in Bath, England. Participants engage in activities like belly dancing, yoga, and meditation while receiving guidance from a nutritionist.
A happiness teacher, coach, and alternative practitioner of psychotherapy meditating with a client.
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One participant, Emily, who preferred not to share her last name, found the retreat empowering. She decided to attend the retreat after experiencing challenges due to menopause and the COVID-19 lockdown. For a cost of around $2,400, Emily took part in activities like reflexology and cranial osteopathy, in addition to the main program.
Men included?
The ‘Pause Retreat’ at Amilla Maldives focuses on menopause and offers activities like guided reef snorkeling tours, cycling, and mixology classes. Ananda in the Himalayas, another resort, introduced an age-related retreat that caters to both women and men. This retreat includes traditional Chinese medicine therapies and diet and meditation guidance.
As women in midlife, we are conditioned to take care of everyone else.
Mahesh Natarajan, COO of Ananda in the Himalayas, stated that the program has seen a 73% increase in sign-ups in 2023 compared to the previous year, mainly from women in their mid-40s. The retreat is not only a way to address menopausal symptoms but also provides an opportunity for self-care and connecting with other women going through a similar phase of life.
Do menopause retreats help?
The high price tags associated with these retreats raise questions about their effectiveness and why people are willing to invest so much. Dr. Heather Hirsch, a specialist in women’s health and menopause treatment, suggests that guests can benefit from cognitive behavioral techniques, meditation, breathing exercises, and lifestyle changes. However, the true value may be more psychological, as women in midlife are often conditioned to prioritize the needs of others.
“These retreats provide an opportunity for self-care and spending time and resources on oneself,” Hirsch said. “It is about leaving behind family responsibilities and connecting with other women who are going through similar challenges.”
Menopause can last for years and its symptoms can have a significant impact on daily life. Women are willing to invest in these retreats because they believe they will gain the skills and strategies to manage their symptoms more effectively. While menopause retreats are not a “cure,” they can provide valuable support and guidance.
Women wearing traditional Maharashtrian Nauvari (nine yard) sarees performing yoga exercise at Gateway of India on the occasion of International Yoga Day in Mumbai.
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“No one expects to go on a menopause retreat and come back without experiencing menopause,” says Lisa Starr. “Instead, these retreats provide participants with strategies and skills to better manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.”
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