Why Attend a Menopause Retreat?

The menopause is a life transition all women journey through at some point in their lives. Everyone's experience of menopause is different, and some women are presented with a mixture of emotions, changes, and symptoms that can be difficult to make sense of.

That is why we are introducing a menopause retreat - so that women can feel safe, educated, and even liberated by this common but complex life event.

What Is the Menopause?

The roots of the word 'menopause' can be found in Greek —”men,” meaning month, which is related to the word moon, and “pauein” meaning to cease or stop.

If we want to refer to the most simple explanation of menopause, it is when our bodies stop having periods. But it is not an overnight transition, and involves many hormonal changes over an unspecified amount of time.

Perimenopause refers to the months or years that lead up to menopause when these hormonal changes begin. Symptoms during this time can include hot flashes, irregular periods, skin changes and mood changes.

Menopause lasts on average 7 years but the duration (and experiences) depend on many factors, including ethnicity, age, and lifestyle.

What Age Does Menopause Begin?

Perimenopause typically starts around the age of 45 and the menopause follows some time after. It is predicted that the average age for menopause to begin is 51 but this differs from woman to woman. Menopause can also be brought forward by certain medical choices. For example, if you have a radical hysterectomy for medical reasons, the menopause will begin immediately after.

Some women choose to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to offset some of the symptoms of menopause, but this is not the right choice for everybody.

Other women choose to take natural supplements to relieve symptoms, or make lifestyle changes.

What Are The Main Menopause Symptoms?

According to research, the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Hot flushes: This is when you feel your body temperature temporarily rise, causing sweating and discomfort. This affects 75% of menopausal women.

• Vaginal dryness and pain.

• Cardiac abnormalities such as dizziness, abnormal sensations, palpitations.

• Hair growth changes (loss, or growing hair on the face).

• Pelvic muscle relaxation causing incontinence.

• Mental health changes. Higher anxiety, lower mood, or fluctuating mood. This affects more than half of menopausal women.

A menopause retreat can teach you the tools to manage symptoms, and find support amongst other women going through a similar experience.

Menopause and Your Mind

There are three main reasons your mental health might alter during menopause.

Firstly, the hormone changes to your body can cause a biological effect on your mood. Oestrogen works in harmony with serotonin, and when the oestrogen depletes, the serotonin levels can be altered, causing low mood or anxiety.

Secondly, the physical symptoms of menopause can trigger a natural reactive state of anxiety. For example, if you feel your menopause symptoms are making it harder for you to work, you might get heightened anxiety as a response to this. So, the mental health aspects of menopause are both biological and reactive.

Lastly, menopause is a transition into a new phase of life, and this can mean different things to different people. After menopause, you won't be able to have children naturally, you will no longer have periods, and you might feel a mix of emotions about this - sadness, relief, elation, disappointment, regret, liberation, joy - there's no 'one' way to feel about this experience. Some people find it tough, and this can lead to poorer mental health.

It is important during this time that you have a good support network around you. Tell your friends and family that you are experiencing menopause if you feel comfortable doing so, and inform them on what they can do to help you with this life event and associated symptoms. It's also worth talking to your employer.

The Benefits of a Menopause Retreat

A menopause retreat serves many purposes.

1) You can meet likeminded women who are experiencing similar symptoms to you.

2) You can explore your complex feelings in a safe space with non-judgemental listeners.

3) You can gain a scientific education on menopause.

4) You can gain insights, hacks and tips on dealing with menopause symptoms.

5) You can get away from everyday life and immerse yourself in a quiet and relaxing space to pay attention to this issue properly.

We want to invite you to our menopause retreat at High Trenhouse. Click here to book your space here and learn more about what to expect.