From Oatmeal to Wellness Retreats: How Menopause Is Driving a New Trend in Health and Self-Care

Gabriele Sewtz, a real estate agent from Brooklyn with a data-driven mindset and a simple breakfast preference for oatmeal, never considered herself someone drawn to wellness retreats. Her perception changed dramatically when she entered menopause and found herself exploring a ranch near Austin, Texas, where she tried sound baths, cold plunges, and breathwork—and ended up loving the experience.

Sewtz is part of a growing trend of women seeking resorts and hotels that offer specialized programs for menopause. Reflecting on her transformative retreat experience, she admitted, “If you had told me upfront how life-changing that (retreat) would be, I’m like, ‘Yeah, right. Not going to happen in a million years. Others might experience it, but definitely not me.’”

Menopause brings about significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes, which vary from one woman to another. As the wellness industry evolves, it has started to address the needs of women undergoing perimenopause and menopause. An increasing number of supplements, skincare brands, and nutrition programs target this demographic, with some women finding comfort in spas or hotels rather than traditional medical settings. “It always starts, I think, as a personal journey,” Sewtz noted.

Dr. Barbra Hanna, an ob-gyn based in Chicago and founder of MyMenopauseRX, a telehealth service specializing in menopause care, described the current focus on menopause as “having a moment.” She emphasized the importance of self-care, particularly since many women dealing with menopause symptoms also face additional life stressors, such as raising children, managing careers, or caring for elderly family members. While she views spas as excellent places for relaxation, she believes they may not be the best environment for medical care.

Dr. Naresh Perembuduri, an Ayurvedic doctor at the prestigious Ananda resort in the Himalayas—endorsed by celebrities like Uma Thurman and Oprah—expressed the view that menopause treatment should encompass more than just addressing the symptoms. “It is not simply the menopause we want to address. Before the menopause, they need to prepare themselves for a proper hormonal balance,” Perembuduri explained. Therefore, Ananda offers a “hormonal rebalance” program rather than a specific menopause-focused one.

Ananda’s 14-day program includes customized meal plans, exercise routines, and hormone testing, starting at $1,000 per night. However, the high cost and ongoing social stigma around menopause might deter some women from participating. With 51% of the world’s population being female, the symptoms of menopause—such as joint pain, hot flashes, mood swings, weight changes, and discomfort during sex—differ widely, complicating treatment approaches.

For those already inclined toward wellness travel, menopause symptoms can be an added incentive to visit a spa or retreat. Actress Josie Bissett, who had previously attended other wellness programs, chose Costa Rica’s The Retreat for a program specifically addressing menopausal changes. She told CNN that her experience with the seven-day “The Big M” program was so fulfilling that she extended her stay. “It was one of the most beautiful places and experiences I’ve ever had,” Bissett said. “There’s no manicures or pedicures. It’s not that place. This is a place to heal, to be nurtured.”

Sewtz’s retreat, organized by fitness influencer Hannah Eden, was designed for group participation. In contrast, Bissett preferred solitude. “I really needed time to myself,” she explained. “I wanted to take away from myself that feeling of, like, I should talk to people, I should be social, I should… No shoulds. You take care of you. You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do. You’re here for you. You don’t have to be friends with anybody.”

Despite the appeal of alternative therapies, some medical professionals advise caution. Dr. Hanna warns that treatments claiming to offer medical miracles beyond simple stress relief should be approached with skepticism. “If they want to offer you a lot of blood-testing, saliva-testing, fingerprints, all of these things, that is not evidence-based, that is not how we treat menopause. That’s red flag number one,” she said.

Hanna also cautions that while menopause-focused wellness businesses are capitalizing on this growing market, “A massage is a massage, a facial is a facial. There’s no extra lotions and potions that are going to be transformative for you because of perimenopause or menopause, at least not today.” However, she remains hopeful about future advancements, noting, “I don’t think menopause is going out of fashion. I think menopause is just getting started,” especially with increased funding for menopause research in the coming years.