Swimming in cold water relieves menopause and menstrual complaints, research shows
Swimming in cold water can significantly reduce menopausal symptoms such as mood swings and hot flashes, research shows.
Spending time immersed in cold water appears to provide a range of physical and mental health benefits for menopausal women, with some likening it to ‘healing’, the researchers said.
The study, led by academics from University College London, examined the responses of 1,114 women aged 16 to 80, with an average age of 49, who regularly swim in cold water. Among the research group, 785 women were in menopause at the time.
Half of that group said swimming in cold water significantly reduced their anxiety, while large minorities said it also helped combat mood swings (35%), low mood (31%) and hot flashes (30%). And more than six in ten (63%) said they swam specifically to tackle menopausal symptoms.
A 54-year-old woman who took part in the study said: “Swimming in cold water has had a profound effect on my menopausal symptoms. Exercising in nature, alone or with a group of other women, has a healing effect. The camaraderie, shared stories and laughter are part of the magic.”
The findings have been published in the journal Post-reproductive health. Cold water has already been found to reduce stress in people swimming outdoors, while ice baths boost muscle recovery in athletes, said the study’s senior author, Prof. Joyce Harper, from the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health at UCL .
Although anecdotal, the evidence in the study suggests that “the activity can be used by women to relieve physical symptoms such as hot flashes, aches and pains,” the researchers said.
The effects of cold water swimming were so evident that it “could provide an alternative solution for women struggling with menopause and encourage more women to take part in sport.”
Another participant, 57, said: “Cold water is phenomenal. It saved my life. I can do anything in the water. All symptoms (physical and mental) disappear and I feel my best.”
The longer women swam and the colder the water, the greater the benefits they received.
Of the 1,114 participants, 711 women also had menstrual complaints. Among them, 38% mentioned better control over their mood swings.
Regular cold water swimmers who had menopausal or menstrual symptoms experienced “a positive overall effect,” the study found. They identified five key benefits: the water proved calming and mood-boosting; they were given companionship and fellowship; it improved their menstrual experience; reduced the impact of their hot flashes; and provided “an overall improvement in health”.