What are menopause retreats and why are they on the rise?

Move over silent retreats

Menopause retreats are opening up their doors to women looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-care. Image: Getty

Shaking things up for the better, menopause retreats are the latest trend in the wellness industry. Here’s why it’s about time they existed, and what you can expect. 

From silent sanctuaries to burnout bootcamps, it seems we are well and truly living in the age of wellness retreats. And while programs designed to help and recuperate couples, fitness fanatics, and sufferers of stress have been on the market for a while, the industry is expanding to cater to more groups than ever before. 

The latest demographic to be targeted by the wellness travel industry? Perimenopausal and menopausal women. In an effort to destigmatize the topic of ageing for women, the retreats are opening up their doors to women looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-care. 

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Led by fitness specialists, nutritionists, and physicians, the emerging programs all strive to provide curated programs helping perimenopausal or menopausal attendees navigate the hormonal changes associated with the ageing female body.

And while retreats of this nature have only recently hit the scene, women have been experiencing menopause since the dawn of time, leaving half the population starved for information and education.

By the end of 2025, it’s estimated approximately 1.1 billion women worldwide will either be experiencing or have already been through menopause. With a figure like this, it’s no wonder the wellness industry has decided to shine a spotlight on curated programs for ageing women.

The retreats are a great place to talk to other menopausal women, share information and get support. Image: Getty

Shared experiences are always sweeter

Most of the menopause retreats on the market right now are centred around the idea that community support is a crucial pillar of the human experience. 

“There’s a great healing and discovery when a group of people are going through a similar circumstance,” Melissa Biggs Bradley told the New York Times. Briggs is the founder and chief executive of Indagare, a membership-based travel company now offering a curated menopause retreat.

But before you whip out the AMEX and start booking back-to-back retreats, Dr. Streicher, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Northwestern University, urges women to exercise caution and level their expectations. 

“It’s OK if you want to talk to other menopausal women, share information and get support,” she shares. “The problem is when information is presented as if it’s scientific. It can be manipulative to say a smoothie will make your vagina less dry.”

The wellness industry is finally shining a spotlight on curated programs for ageing women. Image: Getty

What can you expect?

There’s a range of menopause-themed programs on offer across the board, each curated to support women through all the physical and hormonal changes they may be experiencing. 

Anyone booking a menopause retreat might expect to find themselves immersed in all kinds of activities, from relaxing TLC to strength-building workouts, or workshops diving into all aspects of women’s health.

Unlike popular stereotypes, women experience more than just hot flashes during menopause. Symptoms can differ from person to person, but generally most women will find themselves noticing mood swings, a difference in their skin, and changes to their sleeping, exercise, and eating habits. 

Retreats designed around promoting menopause-specific nutrition plans are growing increasingly popular. Image Getty

Some retreats offer nutritional guidance and herbal remedies, focusing on managing symptoms through diet and nutrition, while others are more structured around physical rehabilitation and exercise classes to combat joint pain and other symptoms of ageing. 

More traditional retreat activities, such as mindful meditation and relaxing spa treatments are still found on menopausal retreat agendas but usually have a more targeted approach, such as boosting collagen to combat the decline of oestrogen.  

With so much on offer for women seeking education, support, and connection during a period of immense change, the wellness industry is redefining what it means to age as a woman. 

Originally published as What are menopause retreats and why are they on the rise?