A brand new research led by UCL researchers discovered that menopausal girls who swim in chilly water each day expertise appreciable enhancements in each bodily and psychological signs.

The analysis, printed in Post Reproductive Health, surveyed 1114 girls, 785 of which had been going via the menopause, to look at the consequences of chilly water swimming on their well being and wellbeing.

The findings confirmed that menopausal girls skilled a major enchancment in nervousness (as reported by 46.9% of the ladies), temper swings (34.5%), low temper (31.1%) and sizzling flushes (30.3%) because of chilly water swimming.

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In addition, a majority of girls (63.3%) swam particularly to alleviate their signs.

Some of the ladies quoted within the research mentioned that they discovered the chilly water to be “a right away stress/ anxiety reliever” and described the exercise as “healing”.

One 57-year-old lady said: “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 me at my best.”

Senior creator, Professor Joyce Harper (UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health), mentioned: “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.

“Our research helps these claims, in the meantime the anecdotal proof additionally highlights how the exercise can be utilized by girls to alleviate bodily signs, reminiscent of sizzling flushes, aches and pains.

“More research still needs to be done into the frequency, duration, temperature and exposure needed to elicit a reduction in symptoms. However, we hope our findings may provide an alternative solution for women struggling with the menopause and encourage more women to take part in sports.”

Most of the ladies concerned within the research had been prone to swim in each summer season and winter and put on swimming costumes, reasonably than moist fits.

Alongside aiding menopausal signs, the ladies mentioned their most important motivations for chilly water swimming had been being exterior, enhancing psychological well being and exercising.

Professor Harper mentioned: “The majority of women swim to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings and hot flushes. They felt that their symptoms were helped by the physical and mental effects of the cold water, which was more pronounced when it was colder.

“How typically they swam, how lengthy for and what they wore had been additionally necessary. Those that swam for longer had extra pronounced results. The wonderful thing about chilly water swimming is it will get folks exercising in nature, and infrequently with mates, which might construct an excellent neighborhood.”

The researchers also wanted to investigate whether cold water swimming improved women’s menstrual symptoms.

Of the 711 women who experienced menstrual symptoms, nearly half said that cold water swimming improved their anxiety (46.7%), and over a third said that it helped their mood swings (37.7%) and irritability (37.6%).

Yet despite the benefits of cold water swimming, the researchers were also keen to highlight that the sport comes with certain risks.

Professor Harper explained: “Caution should be taken when chilly water swimming, as individuals might put themselves susceptible to hypothermia, chilly water shock, cardiac rhythm disturbances and even drowning.

“Depending on where they are swimming, water quality standards may also vary. Raw sewage pollution is an increasingly common concern in UK rivers and seas. And, sadly, this can increase the likelihood of gastroenteritis and other infections.”

This story has been printed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content. Only the headline has been modified.