Menopause Retreats Are the Next Big Thing for the US Wellness Industry

The real estate agent Gabriele Sewtz is not the type of person who attends wellness retreats, but is part of a growing contingent of women who seek out hotels and resorts that offer specific programs for menopause . Born in Germany and based in Brooklyn, New York, in the United States, she described herself as a “very fact-oriented” person and a lover of an oatmeal breakfast.

That, however, was before she went through menopause and found herself on a ranch outside Austin, Texas, taking sound baths, trying cold-water plunges and breathing exercises — and loving it.

“If you had told me before how transformative this is, [retiro] would be, I would say, ‘Sure, but it will never happen. Other people may experience this [esse retiro de menopausa]but definitely not me,’” she said.

The significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes that can occur during menopause are different for every woman. As the wellness industry has expanded, so has the focus on perimenopause and menopause.

A wave of supplements, skin-care brands, nutrition programs and other products are aimed squarely at this demographic — and some people prefer a spa or hotel to a doctor’s office. “It always starts, I think, as a personal journey,” Sewtz said.

“I think the last two or three years have brought a wealth of information about perimenopause and menopause, with dedicated Instagram accounts and celebrities joining the cause. But when it comes to treatment or finding what works for you, you’re pretty much on your own.”

Changing “the change”

“Menopause is the time,” says Dr. Barbra Hanna, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Chicago. She’s the founder of MyMenopauseRX, a telemedicine service specializing in menopause-related care.

Self-care is important, Hanna added, because Many women who experience menopause symptoms also deal with life stresses such as raising children, managing a busy career, or caring for elderly relatives. In his opinion, spas are great places to relax, but not necessarily a place to get medical care.

“It’s not just menopause that we want to address. Before menopause, they need to prepare themselves for proper hormonal balance,” said Dr. Naresh Perembuduri, an Ayurvedic doctor at the luxury Indian resort Ananda in the Himalayas, whose website boasts recommendations for Uma Thurman It is Oprah .

“That’s why we call it a rebalancing program. […] From menarche to menopause, (women) go through many phases,” Perembuduri said.

treatment

Ananda does not have a specific menopause program; instead, it offers a menopause experience. “hormonal rebalancing” .

The 14-day program, which includes personalized meal plans, exercise regimens, and hormone testing, starts at $1,000 per night. The price tag isn’t the only thing that might deter some women from signing up — social stigma and lack of education about menopause are still very real .

With 51% of the world’s population being female, menopause seems to be a different phase for everyone, which is one reason why it can be so difficult to treat. symptoms vary including things like joint pain, hot flashes, mood swings, weight fluctuations, and pain during sex.

For those already interested in travel and wellness the onset of menopause symptoms is just one more reason to consider a visit to a spa or retreat.

Actress Josie Bissett had attended other wellness programs before, but chose The Retreat in Costa Rica for something that specifically addressed all the changes she was experiencing. She told CNN who enjoyed the seven-day program The Big M so much that he chose to stay longer.

“It was one of the most beautiful places and experiences I’ve ever had,” Bissett said. “There are no manicures or pedicures. It’s not that kind of place. This is a place to heal, to be nourished.”

While Sewtz’s program — hosted by fitness influencer Hannah Eden — was specifically designed for group participation, Bissett preferred to do her own activities.

“I needed some time for myself,” she said. “I wanted to get rid of that feeling that I should talk to people, I should be social, I should… No duties. You take care of yourself. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You’re here for you. You don’t have to be friends with anyone.”

The Future of Menopause Care

Some doctors urge caution when it comes to using alternative therapies to deal with the symptoms of menopause.

Hanna said the line should be drawn when treatments go beyond simple stress relief and self-care. After all, she claims the measures perform medical miracles.

“If they [clínicas médicas] “They want to offer lots of blood tests, saliva tests, fingerprints, all these things, that’s not evidence-based, that’s not how we treat menopause. That’s the first warning sign,” she said.

“Menopause companies are realizing there is a huge economic opportunity in jumping on the menopause bandwagon. A massage is a massage, a facial is a facial. There are no extra lotions and potions that are going to be transformative for you due to perimenopause or menopause, at least not today.”

But in five or 10 years? Maybe, she said, considering the increased funding for menopause research these days. “I don’t think menopause is going to go out of style. I think menopause is just beginning,” she said.

Source: CNN Brasil

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