The study by researchers at the University College London found that symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings and anxiety were reduced in those who frequently swam in cold water.
Of the 1,114 women involved in the study, 785 were going through menopause.
The researchers reported that:
- Nearly 47% of the women reported improvement in anxiety symptoms.
- 34% reported improvement in mood swings.
- 31% found it helped improve mood.
- 30% found reduced hot flashes.
“Cold-water swimming has had a profound effect on my menopausal symptoms. Exercising in nature, alone or with a group of other women, is healing. The camaraderie, shared stories and laughter are part of the magic,” said one 54-year-old woman who took part in the study.
The researchers said that while the evidence is anecdotal, the study suggests “women can use cold water activity to alleviate physical symptoms, such as hot flushes, aches and pains”.
“Cold water has previously been found to improve mood and reduce stress in outdoor swimmers, and ice baths have long been used to aid athletes’ muscle repair and recovery,” Joyce Harper, a professor of reproductive science at University College London and a senior author of the study, said in a press release.
Menstrual benefits as well
In addition to relieving menopause symptoms, the women said they felt cold water swimming improved mental health, increased regular exercise, and gave them time outdoors. The women also felt the positive effects were more pronounced when it was colder.
The researchers also explored whether cold water swimming helped menstrual symptoms.
They found:
- 46% said it improved anxiety.
- 37% said it helped mood swings.
- 37% said it improved irritability.
Cold water benefits
Cold water therapy and ice baths have some great benefits including improving pain, inflammation and circulation.
- Bolster your immunity to the common cold
- Reduce inflammation and prevent muscle soreness
- Increase metabolism
- Improve circulation
- Reduce anxiety
- Relieve depressive symptoms
