A retreat specifically for menopause? I tested it out – and this is what I learned

A retreat specifically for menopause? I tested it out – and this is what I learned:

"The world needs wise women more than ever, and menopause is the gateway that takes us there," says Dr. Mindy Pelz. When it comes to experts in women's health, one inevitably ends up with the American. In her bestselling self-help books, she explains the connections between metabolism, the microbiome, the nervous system, and hormones ; her YouTube channel has nearly 1.5 million subscribers. "I've spent years helping women understand how to work with their hormones, not against them," she says.

Those who need more help than videos and books can find it at five Six Senses resorts since the beginning of 2025. Together with the luxury hotel chain, Dr. Pelz has developed a wellness program that promises a reset for women's bodies.

Metamorphosis Menopause

That would do most of us good. Thanks to everyday stress, poor nutrition, and sleep problems, we're all essentially out of balance. But for some, something else comes along: menopause. Hot flashes, brittle bones, uncontrolled weight gain, hair loss, sleep disorders, mood swings – an exceptional situation that can last ten or fifteen years. No need to worry, says Pelz: "Stop fearing menopause. Start listening to it. This is your metamorphosis."

But at 43, I'm terrified of what awaits me. Can a retreat take away this fear? While I haven't reached perimenopause yet, it could theoretically begin at any time. I hope the program can help me prepare for it—or am I too early for that? "No," says Pelz. "The best thing a woman can do is prepare her body before the hormonal changes of perimenopause." Because hormones, brain chemistry, and even the way the body processes food and stress undergo fundamental changes in her early forties, among other things, the early forties are exactly the right age to "get ready."

Transformation in a luxury hotel

My own metamorphosis begins on the regional train from Geneva to Sierre in the Swiss canton of Valais. From there, a cable car takes me up the mountain to Crans-Montana , where, high in the Alps, lies one of the Six Senses hotels that offers the Female Wellness program. In detail, this means cycle-conscious fasting, nutrient-rich nutrition, building muscle, prioritizing sleep and circadian rhythm, managing stress, and creating emotional boundaries.

The Six Senses in Crans Montana

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I'll be spending three nights in Crans-Montana, the shortest period the program is offered. Five or seven nights are also possible. Participants learn why their bodies do what they do and how they can use this knowledge for themselves. And because every body is different, an individual program plan tailored to each woman's needs is created.

Starting signal for the "butterfly moment"

After completing a questionnaire prior to my arrival, which was used to create my schedule, the first item on the program awaits me immediately upon arrival: the wellness screening, in which a whole range of body parameters and biomarkers are tested. Wellness Director Renate Hermes, an athletic, middle-aged woman with short, dark hair and a great deal of empathy, explains to me that this is not a medical procedure. The screening is intended to help the team better assess my needs.

My pulse is measured, and two electrodes are attached to my forehead. I stand up, then sit down again. At the end, the result is clear: I need to exercise more, work up a sweat. And: My serotonin and dopamine levels are at rock bottom. I need to be happier. Nothing would make me happier!