Menopause wellness retreats are the new trend taking over hospitality

For the longest time, many challenges women faced were simply brushed off as, “Yeah, that’s normal.” And for the longest time, women endured these struggles in silence, believing it was no big deal. Menopause, in particular, wasn’t always taken as seriously as it is today, despite its ability to wreak havoc on a woman’s mind, body, and even those around her.
While traditional wellness solutions have often focused on generic self-care or hormonal treatments, a new trend is gaining traction: menopause wellness retreats. These retreats offer women a holistic approach to navigating this phase, combining relaxation, health education, and the comfort of a supportive community. And if the experts are to be believed, it’s the next big thing in wellness.

At Naad Wellness in Sonipat, Haryana, through ayurveda, naturopathy, diet, and yoga, the health problems that occur during menopause are managed.

Manini Sen, assistant vice president (revenue) at Ananda in the Himalayas, a wellness retreat in Uttarakhand, that also provides menopausal-related care, says, “Menopause forces one to confront the paradoxical reality that while life transitions in a manner ordained by nature, it brings with it a significant amount of mental and physical strain on a woman’s life. This, coupled with a plethora of lifestyle issues, stress, and imbalances, has created a need for spaces that can prepare you for the next chapter and teach you to not fear menopause but embrace it.”

At Ananda in the Himalayas, you can experience an array of traditional Oriental therapies—including acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Tibetan Kuu Nye, Kundalini, and Japanese Shiatsu. The programme addresses the obstruction of energy flow through the body’s fourteen meridians.

And when you have celebrities like Halle Berry, Salma Hayek, and Gwyneth Paltrow speaking about menopause, it’s only natural that people needed to catch up.
Dr Nilam Pujari, head ayurvedic doctor at The Beach House Goa, another wellness retreat in the serene coastal state, explains, “Women want relief and ways to manage the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges of menopause. They are more focused on their health like never before, and most of them are juggling home and work responsibilities. Then suddenly, perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms start showing up—hot flushes, night sweats, irritation, insomnia. Women want to take control of this situation and resolve these problems. That’s where these retreats come into the picture to help them navigate through this phase.”
Dr Hrishikesh Ashok, chief ayurveda consultant of Naad Wellness, agrees and says that the greater awareness today is due to social media and people are appreciating the significance of holistic wellness. He adds that as more people are openly discussing their experiences, it is helping reduce the stigma of outdated notions.
“All in all, wellness has gained momentum in general and the focus is on holistic health, mindfulness, and self-care. Menopause retreats are aligned with this trend and offer support and healing during this phase of life,” notes Dr Ashok.

Shirodhara therapy is part of menopausal treatment at Naad Wellness.

There’s no denying that things have changed significantly for women. They are no longer content with just being okay—they want to take control of their lives. Women don’t want to see menopause as a hiccup, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to stay happy and healthy. They realise that self-care is crucial, especially as they manage life stressors like home, work, and raising children.
Dr Jitendra Varshney, wellness director at Six Senses Vana, says, “In the past, many women would go directly to healthcare facilities when experiencing menopause-related issues like sleeplessness, hot flashes, or weight gain. However, with greater awareness, there’s now a growing preference for a more holistic approach to healing. Women are increasingly interested in exploring natural and supportive methods to navigate this life stage, which has led to the rise of specialised retreats that address their unique needs and provide community support.”

At Six Senses Vana, the ayurvedic doctors recommend specific treatments tailored to everyone’s needs.

Each menopause retreat offers its own unique approach to addressing the physical and emotional upheaval women experience during menopause or perimenopause. These programmes are designed to be holistic and natural, ensuring women feel pampered while their symptoms are carefully managed. Most retreats begin with an in-depth consultation with a doctor, which is then followed by personalised treatment plans, customised diets, therapies, meditation, and yoga sessions. This integrated approach forms the foundation of most menopause retreats.
At The Beach House Goa, Dr Pujari explains that they help women manage symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, fatigue, and sleep disturbances through calming practices like yoga and meditation, which are specifically tailored to reduce stress and promote balance. After a thorough consultation, where various health issues are discussed, they prescribe herbal supplements to alleviate symptoms. This is followed by ayurvedic massages, detoxification, and other therapeutic treatments.

Menopause retreats often integrate holistic practices such as yoga, meditation, nutritional counselling, and alternative therapies like acupuncture. Photo: Ananda in the Himalayas

At Ananda in the Himalayas, known to attract celebrities like Uma Thurman and Oprah Winfrey, they have introduced a Rebalance Programme in 2022. Anchored in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and integrated with ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and emotional healing, their programme offers a holistic solution to hormonal imbalances.
“Perimenopause marks the onset of hormonal shifts, evidenced by declining levels of estrogen and progesterone, leading to a range of symptoms as we transition into menopause. Studies have shown that acupuncture, a key element of the Ananda Rebalance Programme, significantly reduces symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood disorders, and weight gain,” says Manini Sen.
Many retreats offer continued support even after the wellness programme ends. For example, Amal Tamara, a five-star ayurvedic health resort in Kerala, provides ongoing care through five monthly follow-up consultations with their team of expert ayurvedic doctors. “These sessions provide personalised treatment plans, educational resources, and access to local support networks, ensuring long-term health and well-being,” says a spokesperson for the resort.

Amal Tamara, a Kerala-based wellness resort that also helps manage menopause-related problems, provides ongoing care through five monthly follow-up consultations with their team of expert ayurvedic doctors even after the wellness program ends.

Fifty-one per cent of the world’s population is female, and the way menopause looks and feels is different for each one of them, and perhaps that is the reason why treating its symptoms can sometimes be really challenging. That’s where these retreats catering to a woman’s varying problems come into the picture, their mental health being one of them.
“During menopause, many women experience mental health issues due to hormonal imbalances. They face stress-related problems such as anxiety, anger, irritation, lack of concentration, poor memory, feelings of loneliness, and frequent crying. We help them overcome these challenges through various methods,” says Dr Pujari of The Beach House Goa.
Manini Sen from Ananda in the Himalayas echoes the sentiment, emphasising that mental and emotional wellbeing is a priority at their retreat. “Using a combination of healing modalities such as hypnotherapy, regression therapy, and techniques like Neuro-Linguistic Programming, our team of transpersonal psychologists delves into the deeper recesses of the mind to identify and navigate blockages triggered by hormonal imbalances during menopause. These blockages lead to mental and emotional fatigue and stress.”

Mental wellbeing or emotional health at Ananda isn’t an afterthought.

Our mind and body are deeply interconnected and mental health profoundly impacts physical well-being. Recognising the deep connection between mind and body, Six Senses Vana offers a program that includes classical hatha yoga and Tibetan meditation to nurture mental health.
“We also provide therapeutic practices like sound journeys, where the vibrations of singing bowls resonate through the nervous system, fostering a sense of calm and focus. Breathwork and shirodhara are integral to our approach, both highly recommended for their mental health benefits. In terms of nutrition, we incorporate herbs like ashwagandha and brahmi, known for their positive effects on mental health,” adds Dr Varshney.
The unique problems that are associated with menopause or the perimenopausal phase often make a woman feel very alienated. Enrolling yourself in one of these retreats also gives a sense of belongingness and encourages social interaction.
“These retreats foster a supportive environment where women can share their experiences, creating a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. This community-driven aspect helps reduce the isolation that often accompanies menopause, making shared experiences a form of healing,” says the spokesperson for Amal Tamara.

The meals at these retreat are curated by expert chefs who focus on nutrient-dense foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The ingredients used are aimed to promote long-term wellness during menopause. (Photo: Amal Tamara)

At Six Senses Vana, they offer art activities and retreats that encourage social interaction. “This helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and allows guests to share their journeys with one another,” says Dr Varshney.
Depending on the severity of health conditions, menopause therapy retreats offer a range of stay durations, typically varying from a week to nearly a month. Naad Wellness recommends stays between 7 to 28 nights, tailored to individual needs. At Ananda in the Himalayas, their Rebalance programme starts at 7 nights, though longer stays may be suggested following a mandatory pre-booking consultation with their doctor. Prices at Ananda begin at Rs 60,000 per night, inclusive of accommodation, customised meals, personal consultations, and daily wellness therapies.
Similarly, Six Senses Vana advises a minimum stay of 10 nights for optimal benefits, with single occupancy costing $940 (approximately Rs 78,000 approx) per night and double occupancy priced at $1,550 (around Rs 127,000).
Amala Tamara, known for its Curative Programme, offers packages starting at Rs 1,55,665 for a 7-day stay, with variations in pricing based on the season. For individuals requiring Panchakarma treatment, they recommend a minimum stay of 14 days for effective results.

Yoga temple at Six Senses Vana.

Menopause retreats are just getting started, and they are here to stay as more women begin to understand the challenges of this stage and the importance of addressing them to regain control of their lives. While wellness retreats play a vital role, it’s equally important for people to step up and support any woman going through this tumultuous phase. After all, nothing compares to being there for someone when they need your support the most.