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Pound M, Massey H, Roseneil S, Williamson R, Harper CM, Tipton M, Shawe J, Felton M, Harper JC. How do women feel cold water swimming affects their menstrual and perimenopausal symptoms? Post Reprod Health 2024; 30:11-27. [PMID: 38271095 DOI: 10.1177/20533691241227100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine how women felt cold water swimming affected their menstrual and perimenopausal symptoms. STUDY DESIGN An online survey that asked women who regularly swim in cold water about their experiences. The survey was advertised for 2 months on social media. Questions related to cold water swimming habits and menstrual and perimenopausal symptoms were analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Quantitative and qualitative data including; frequency of menstrual and menopause symptoms, the effect of cold water swimming on these symptoms. RESULTS 1114 women completed the survey. Women reported that cold water swimming reduced their menstrual symptoms, notably psychological symptoms such as anxiety (46.7%), mood swings (37.7%) and irritability (37.6%). Perimenopausal women reported a significant improvement in anxiety (46.9%), mood swings (34.5%), low mood (31.1%) and hot flushes (30.3%). The majority of women with symptoms swam specifically to reduce these symptoms (56.4% for period and 63.3% for perimenopause symptoms). Women said they felt it was the physical and mental effects of the cold water that helped their symptoms. For the free text question, five themes were identified: the calming and mood-boosting effect of the water, companionship and community, period improvements, an improvement in hot flushes and an overall health improvement. CONCLUSION Women felt that cold water swimming had a positive overall effect on menstrual and perimenopause symptoms. Studies on other forms of exercise to relieve menstrual and perimenopause symptoms may show similar findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Pound
- EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heather Massey
- School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | | | - C Mark Harper
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing, UK
- Sørlandet Sykehus, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Mike Tipton
- School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Jill Shawe
- University of Plymouth and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall, UK
| | - Malika Felton
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sport Sciences, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Joyce C Harper
- EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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Reed EL, Chapman CL, Whittman EK, Park TE, Larson EA, Kaiser BW, Comrada LN, Wiedenfeld Needham K, Halliwill JR, Minson CT. Cardiovascular and mood responses to an acute bout of cold water immersion. J Therm Biol 2023; 118:103727. [PMID: 37866096 PMCID: PMC10842018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Cold water immersion (CWI) may provide benefits for physical and mental health. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of an acute bout of CWI on vascular shear stress and affect (positive and negative). Sixteen healthy adults (age: 23 ± 4 y; (9 self-reported men and 7 self-reported women) completed one 15-min bout of CWI (10 °C). Self-reported affect (positive and negative) was assessed at pre-CWI (Pre), 30-min post-immersion, and 180-min post-immersion in all participants. Brachial artery diameter and blood velocity were measured (Doppler ultrasound) at Pre, after 1-min and 15-min of CWI, and 30-min post-immersion (n = 8). Total, antegrade, and retrograde shear stress, oscillatory shear index (OSI), and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) were calculated. Venous blood samples were collected at Pre, after 1-min and 15-min of CWI, 30-min post-immersion, and 180-min post-immersion (n = 8) to quantify serum β-endorphins and cortisol. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with Fisher's least significance difference and compared to Pre. Positive affect did not change (ANOVA p = 0.450) but negative affect was lower at 180-min post-immersion (p < 0.001). FVC was reduced at 15-min of CWI and 30-min post-immersion (p < 0.020). Total and antegrade shear and OSI were reduced at 30-min post-immersion (p < 0.040) but there were no differences in retrograde shear (ANOVA p = 0.134). β-endorphins did not change throughout the trial (ANOVA p = 0.321). Cortisol was lower at 180-min post-immersion (p = 0.014). An acute bout of CWI minimally affects shear stress patterns but may benefit mental health by reducing negative feelings and cortisol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Reed
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Christopher L Chapman
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Emma K Whittman
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Talia E Park
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Emily A Larson
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Brendan W Kaiser
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Lindan N Comrada
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Karen Wiedenfeld Needham
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - John R Halliwill
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Christopher T Minson
- Bowerman Sports Science Center, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
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