Six Senses Douro Valley Is Pioneering a New Perimenopause Program
In a nutshell
'Men have had extensive hormonal research done, but females are still playing catch up,' said Anna Bjurstam, the Head of Six Senses Spas and Wellness. As such she and her team have spent the last few years developing an effective program focussing on hormone balance, diet, exercise, sleep habits, bio and other metrics. Experts in the field—including Mindy Pelz who literally wrote the book on the importance of fasting in female health—oversee the program and according to Bjurstam, all practitioners will go through a certification on female health. Though it was piloted at Six Senses Douro Valley and is currently available at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives, Six Senses Crans-Montana, Six Senses Ninha Van Bay, and Six Senses Rome, it will soon roll out across the entire Six Senses portfolio and guests can choose between three, five, and seven-day programs.
Before arrival
The program is designed to have you hit the ground running so much of the screenings happen before arrival. I had a series of calls with experts, including Javier Suarez, the property's Director of Wellness and Joana Barretos, a physiotherapist and female health expert at home in New York in the weeks leading up to my visit. I will admit that I can be skeptical of short-term, intense wellness retreats—the all-in-approach over 72 hours that doesn't replicate your life at home makes me dubious that the results will last, and I was here because I needed to make new habits that would work with my real life. I appreciated talking with Javier, who, after asking me to identify the key points I wanted to explore (trouble sleeping, weight gain, eating habits) told me to be me. 'If you drink at home, don't deprive yourself of a drink here,' he said. 'You have to eat the fries.'
I submitted a questionnaire before my call with Joana, which allowed her to talk me through my symptoms and discuss my goals. For me, it was education so that I could effectively combat the fluctuations in weight, moodiness, fatigue, and more in my day to day life. We discussed my cycle, my diet, and my mental energy in recent months. I told her what exercise I preferred and did at home (a hard pass on yoga and pilates, which is often what these retreats seem to offer. I need a gym.). Three days before my arrival, a program was sent to my inbox.
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Condé Nast Traveler
2 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Six Senses Douro Valley Is Pioneering a New Perimenopause Program
In a nutshell 'Men have had extensive hormonal research done, but females are still playing catch up,' said Anna Bjurstam, the Head of Six Senses Spas and Wellness. As such she and her team have spent the last few years developing an effective program focussing on hormone balance, diet, exercise, sleep habits, bio and other metrics. Experts in the field—including Mindy Pelz who literally wrote the book on the importance of fasting in female health—oversee the program and according to Bjurstam, all practitioners will go through a certification on female health. Though it was piloted at Six Senses Douro Valley and is currently available at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives, Six Senses Crans-Montana, Six Senses Ninha Van Bay, and Six Senses Rome, it will soon roll out across the entire Six Senses portfolio and guests can choose between three, five, and seven-day programs. Before arrival The program is designed to have you hit the ground running so much of the screenings happen before arrival. I had a series of calls with experts, including Javier Suarez, the property's Director of Wellness and Joana Barretos, a physiotherapist and female health expert at home in New York in the weeks leading up to my visit. I will admit that I can be skeptical of short-term, intense wellness retreats—the all-in-approach over 72 hours that doesn't replicate your life at home makes me dubious that the results will last, and I was here because I needed to make new habits that would work with my real life. I appreciated talking with Javier, who, after asking me to identify the key points I wanted to explore (trouble sleeping, weight gain, eating habits) told me to be me. 'If you drink at home, don't deprive yourself of a drink here,' he said. 'You have to eat the fries.' I submitted a questionnaire before my call with Joana, which allowed her to talk me through my symptoms and discuss my goals. For me, it was education so that I could effectively combat the fluctuations in weight, moodiness, fatigue, and more in my day to day life. We discussed my cycle, my diet, and my mental energy in recent months. I told her what exercise I preferred and did at home (a hard pass on yoga and pilates, which is often what these retreats seem to offer. I need a gym.). Three days before my arrival, a program was sent to my inbox.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Six Senses Unveils Women's Wellness Initiative At 5 Luxury Retreats
The setting of Six Senses Douro Valley, one of the five Six Senses retreats currently offering the Female Wellness Program. 'As part of the Female Wellness program, fasting is an important element.' When that was relayed to me as part of the Zoom discussion prior to arriving at Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal, I wondered whether this was a mistake: I'd been to this property before and knew the food was fantastic. Going there to not eat it didn't make sense, even though I knew that proponents of fasting broadcast its benefits to health. As it was explained, however, their program developed with holistic wellness expert Dr. Mindy Pelz, utilizes individualized fasting schedules as a healing system reset, much like a computer restart. And fortunately for me, my 13 hour fasting requirement was restricted to overnight; all I had to do was adhere to dinner and breakfast times to achieve it. Yoga at Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland. @John Athimaritis Six Senses as a company has long been at the forefront of wellness advances in their ever-growing group of international retreats. So it's not a surprise that following a report from the World Economic Forum that there's a notable inequity in healthcare for women due to inadequate data on hormones and health, the company linked with Dr. Pelz to create this program. It was introduced in five Six Senses properties in February—Six Senses Rome, Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam, and Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland apart from Douro Valley with others scheduled to add the program this year. The bedroom of the Panorama Suite in the Quinta. Six Senses Each guest's program, which can be tailored for three, five or seven days, is structured around her hormonal stage from fertility to perimenopause, menopause and beyond and the aims of the treatment from balancing hormones to increasing vitality and improving sleep. The three-day program explores the foundations of hormonal and metabolic health. The extended five-day program allows for a deeper exploration of the key factors that influence hormonal balance, mood, cravings, sleep, weight, and mental clarity. The seven-day program aims to forge longstanding connections between fasting, food, exercise, self-care, and hormonal balance and places a greater emphasis and intention on weight release, metabolic flexibility, and detox principles that can support long-term hormonal health and overall well-being after the guest returns home. To assess the starting point, a very thorough biomarker examination happens after check in; the results range from body mass index, strength and exercise recovery capacity to brain serotonin level, heart rate response to challenge and insulin resistance among many others. A glucose monitor is affixed to a guest's arm to monitor fluctuations and at night, guests wear a sleep ring to analyze what's going on then. It's remarkably detailed; even if you think you sleep pretty well, what you discover can be really surprising. Facets of the Three Day Program Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation. Six Senses Depending upon what a guest's health assessment dictates, a three day program can contain personal training, a sleep consultation, sound meditation with Tibetan bowls, guided meditation, a biohacking session with leg compression and red light therapy and given the company's excellent traditional spa services, a de-stressing holistic massage. Personal time is also included for lazing by the indoor or outdoor swimming pools and taking part in scheduled group activities such as kayaking, local touring on E-bikes, yoga and, since this is a famous wine area, wine tasting-the property has a serious wine tasting program. The Culinary Program The open kitchen of the restaurant Vale de Abraão surrounded by some of the organic vegetables used in dishes on the menu. John Athimaritis The menus designed for each Female Wellness guest are crafted specifically to their needs but are in line with the company's overall sustainable, local, healthful plans. And as I remembered, the food here with many ingredients grown in their organic gardens was so vibrant that I cheated extensively and ordered off the regular menu, including grabbing a section of vegetable salads off the breakfast buffet that were so colorful and lively that even those who don't love vegetables would love these. (As one staff member said to me when I admitted my cheating, they're not wardens so they don't force guests to submit. He also admitted that he thought the Rome property might be the hardest one in which to stick to the rules and the Crans-Montana resort the easiest.) Organic Heirloom Seasonal Tomatoes with strawberries, tomato water, aguachile and aged Bageiras red wine vinegar at the restaurant Vale de Abraão at Six Senses Douro Valley. Laurie Werner Dishes such as Organic Heirloom Seasonal Tomatoes with strawberries, tomato water, aguachile and aged Bágeiras red wine vinegar, Atlantic Grilled Fish with Salsa Verde and because it was white asparagus season, Roasted White Asparagus with House Miso and Cured Egg Yolk were so good, I had each twice. But the menu that was designed for me was hardly one of deprivation and often, in fact, very similar with dishes such as Atlantic Whole Line Caught Fish with Smoky Bean and Hazelnut Salad; Peach and Almond Crumble and Grilled Sirloin Steak with peas, red onion, basil and walnut salad. One of the restaurants, Cozinha do Douro, spotlights local specialties but the main restaurant Vale de Abraão with its open kitchen, wood fired specialties, chef creations and balcony overlooking terraced vineyards was the one I gravitated to the most. Apart from everything I learned about rebalancing, de-stressing and hopefully better sleeping, it was also the aspect I wanted most to repeat. I'm not sure I can replicate what the chef did but I asked for the recipes. 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Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Associated Press
Perform Medical Launches Comprehensive Hormone Balancing Program for Men and Women in the Greater Charleston Area
SUMMERVILLE, SC, UNITED STATES, June 17, 2025 / / -- Perform Medical, a premier wellness clinic serving the Lowcountry, proudly announces the launch of its advanced, personalized hormone balancing programs for both men and women. Under the clinical leadership of Taylor Vaughan, Medical Director, MBA, and Kaley Morris, Physician Assistant, the initiative offers an integrative, results-driven approach to correcting hormonal imbalances that impact health, vitality, and quality of life. At Perform Medical, the mission is clear: Reclaim Your Health, Hormone by Hormone. With the understanding that hormone shifts are a natural part of aging, the clinic empowers patients to stop merely enduring the symptoms and instead regain their energy, clarity, and confidence through customized hormone therapy. Why Hormone Balance Matters Hormones govern nearly every system in the human body—from metabolism and mood to sexual health and mental clarity. When these powerful messengers fall out of sync, patients may experience symptoms such as: - Chronic fatigue and poor sleep - Weight gain and muscle loss - Mood swings, anxiety, and depression - Low libido and sexual dysfunction - Brain fog and poor concentration - Hot flashes and night sweats Whether the imbalance stems from aging, menopause, andropause, or chronic stress, Perform Medical's team addresses the root causes with medical precision and compassionate care. Tailored Care for Men Men facing symptoms of low testosterone—such as reduced motivation, decreased muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, and mental fog—can benefit from Perform Medical's Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). The clinic offers multiple delivery options, including bio-identical hormone pellets, injections, and fertility-preserving alternatives like Clomiphene or Enclomiphene. Each program begins with advanced hormone panel testing and includes ongoing lab monitoring to ensure optimal, long-lasting results. Estrogen blockers are also available to help manage potential side effects, ensuring that each plan is customized to the individual's goals and lifestyle. Empowering Women Through Every Life Stage For women navigating perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, Perform Medical delivers cutting-edge bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to alleviate hot flashes, mood instability, low libido, and more. Led by Kaley Morris, PA-C, the women's program includes pellet therapy, topical hormone creams, and integrated wellness support to restore balance naturally and effectively. The clinic's BHRT pellets—plant-based and structurally identical to human hormones—offer long-term, steady-release dosing without the daily hassle of pills or creams. They are a preferred option for women seeking consistent relief and convenience. The Perform Medical Difference Perform Medical stands out for its deep specialization in hormonal health, evidenced by: - Expert Clinicians: Board-certified providers with advanced training in hormone therapy - Individualized Care Plans: No cookie-cutter protocols—just precision medicine based on lab data and symptoms - Local Support: A patient-first approach rooted in the Charleston community - Whole-Body Wellness: Hormone therapy integrated with sexual wellness, medical weight loss, and functional health programs Now Serving the Greater Charleston Area Perform Medical is currently welcoming patients from Summerville, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, Kiawah Island, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, and North Charleston. Is Hormone Therapy Right for You? If you've asked yourself questions like: - 'Why am I tired all the time?' - 'Is there a better way to handle menopause?' - 'What can I do about brain fog and low libido?' - 'Where can I get testosterone therapy in Charleston?' …it may be time to explore your hormonal health. To learn more or schedule their personalized hormone consultation, individuals can contact Perform Medical today at (843) 278-8474. About Perform Medical Perform Medical is a functional wellness clinic based in Charleston, SC, specializing in hormone health, sexual wellness, regenerative medicine, and medical weight loss. Led by Dr. Taylor Vaughan and Kaley Morris, PA-C, the clinic is dedicated to restoring health through advanced diagnostics, evidence-based therapies, and compassionate care. Taylor Vaughan, MD, MBA Perform Medical +1 843-278-8474 email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
