Changing menopausal symptoms? Can cold water swimming offer relief for menopausal women’s physical and mental symptoms?
A study by a researcher from the University College London (UCL) looked at the benefits of cold water swimming for menopausal women and their symptoms.
Published in Post Reproductive Health, the research studied 1114 women, 785 of them undergoing menopause, to explore the effects of cold water swimming on their health and well-being.
The benefits of cold water swimming
The findings revealed that menopausal women who engaged in regular cold water swimming reported significant improvements in various physical and mental symptoms.
46.9% reported reduced anxiety, 34.5% experienced fewer mood swings, 31.1% reported an uplift in low mood, and 30.3% found relief from hot flushes.
Does cold water swimming clear menopause symptoms
63.3% of women in the study swam specifically to clear their menopausal symptoms. Participants expressed their experiences, with one 57-year-old woman stating, “Cold water is phenomenal. It has saved my life. In the water, I can do anything. All symptoms (physical and mental) disappear, and I feel like I’m at my best.”
“All symptoms (physical and mental) disappear, and I feel like I’m at my best”
Senior author Professor Joyce Harper from the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health emphasised that previous research has suggested cold water’s positive impact on mood and stress reduction. The study’s findings reinforce these claims while highlighting the potential of cold water swimming as an alternative solution for women struggling with menopause.
The research also explored whether cold water swimming could improve menstrual symptoms. From the 711 women experiencing menstrual symptoms, almost half reported reduced anxiety (46.7%), and over a third found relief from the mood wings (37.7%) and irritability (37.6%) through cold water swimming.
What to be cautious of when cold water swimming
Although cold water swimming has benefits, researchers have warned that it still has risks. Caution has to be taken when cold water swimming to avoid hypothermia, cold water shock, cardiac rhythm disturbance or drowning.
Water quality can also be a potential health risk, especially considering the concerns of raw sewage pollution in the UK rivers and seas.
Professor Harper recommended further research to determine the optimal frequency, duration, temperature, and exposure needed to reduce menopausal symptoms effectively.
While considering the risks, she also acknowledged the positive aspects of cold water swimming, such as outdoor exercise and improved mental health.
