Talking about menopause used to be taboo, so our mothers and grandmothers went through the change silently and alone. But these days, celebrities like Brooke Shields and Oprah Winfrey are talking openly about their symptoms. And so are my friends.
With the stigma removed, menopause is becoming a big business, with companies creating clothing lines and beauty products catering to women going through the midlife transition. Last week I saw a TV commercial that advertised a vaginal moisturizing cream. And my social media feed had the audacity to show me an herbal supplement that’s supposed to soothe hot flashes.
The latest trend is getaways for women called “menopause retreats.” Interesting, right?
Menopause retreats, aka menopause vacations, were a new concept to me. Intrigued by the notion, I decided to do some sleuthing on this new movement to uncover the deets on these mini vacations. I found information on menopause retreats all over the globe.
What happens at a menopause retreat?
From my research, it seems there’s one thing they all have in common: Menopause vacays bring women together to focus on themselves—their changing bodies and new symptoms—to learn what makes them feel better.
Picture yourself staying in a beautiful wellness resort with other women who are searching for a sense of community. Each day brings the closeness of girlfriends at a junior high slumber party—but with your older, wiser sisters. And instead of painting each other’s nails and giggling about boys, you share stories about hot flashes, hair loss, and puffy tummies.
But menopause retreats go beyond commiserating with fellow meno sojourners about your lagging libido. They’re also about immersing yourself in a wellness experience that’s part spa treatments and part boot camp.
Menopause retreats may offer one or more of these options:
- Luxury spa treatments such as facials, massages, cold stone therapy, reflexology, foot soaks
- Healing modalities like acupuncture, infrared saunas, red light therapy
- Wellness activities like yoga, Pilates, guided breathwork, meditation
- Fun movement sessions like dancing, swimming, strength training, jumping on mini trampolines
- Workshops on nutrition, herbal remedies, detoxing, stress management, skin care
- One-on-one or group sessions with experts such as nutritionists, acupuncturists, psychologists, sex experts
Some retreats even have menopause specialists who discuss hormone therapy and do diagnostic bloodwork and hormone testing.
The retreats take place at a variety of small venues and large resorts in the US and around the world. Timewise, they range from short weekend getaways to week-long vacations. And you may want to check your budget, as they can be pricey.
Is a menopause retreat right for you?
If you plan to book a trip, know your goal ahead of time and pay close attention to exactly what the retreat offers.
Are you looking for a spa weekend to relax and connect with other women? Then do it! Many meno vacays are just that: a “relax and pamper yourself” getaway. You may come home feeling like a new woman—but don’t expect your hot flashes to disappear.
Remember that while meditation and massages may feel wonderful and make symptoms seem more manageable, they’re not a long-term fix. You can’t meditate menopause away.
If a spa sounds lovely, but you yearn to tackle the root cause of your symptoms, consider a retreat that offers hormone testing. Checking your levels and addressing your hormones is often the primary way to recognize the underlying hormonal imbalances that trigger symptoms.
Whether you do a menopause retreat or not, you can talk with your provider about hormone testing. They can prescribe compounded BHRT that’s geared toward your body’s specific needs. Because the best menopause “retreat” is when your symptoms fade, and you feel like yourself again.
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