Cold Water Swimming: The Chilly Secret to Cooling Down Hot Flashes

We Read the Science. We Froze. We Laughed. You’re Welcome.

Welcome to the Hormonal Ice Bucket Challenge

Hot flash at 3AM? Again at 3:07? Yeah, same. Somewhere between the sweat-soaked sheets and the rage whispering “burn it all down,” science quietly appeared with an ice cube and said:

“Have you considered cold water swimming?”

And we said: “Is this revenge for the tampon tax?”

What We Actually Read (So You Don’t Have To)

We looked at PubMed Study 38271095, titled:
“The potential of cold water swimming to alleviate symptoms of menopause: a survey-based study.”

Researchers surveyed 1,114 women, with 785 reporting that they were currently experiencing perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms.

Key findings:

• 46.9% of menopausal women said cold water swimming reduced their symptoms.
• 30.3% said it reduced anxiety.
• 21.6% saw improvements in low mood.
• And most shockingly, most of them did it on purpose.

So basically: nearly half of them said plunging into freezing water made menopause better. Not ideal, but better. Like, still perimenopausal, but now with goosebumps and a sense of smugness.

What This Feels Like (aka: The Comic Relief “What If”)

Let’s paint a scene.
You: Standing at the edge of a cold lake, wrapped in a robe that smells vaguely like regret.
A friend: “Just breathe. You’ll feel amazing afterward.”
You, entering the water: “THIS IS HOW I DIE. THIS IS MY VIKING FUNERAL.”

Meanwhile your hot flash?
Evaporated.
Along with your dignity and ability to form sentences.

But then… something weird happens.
You emerge.
You’re awake.
You’re ALIVE.
And…you’re not sweating.
Plot twist: Your hot flash just got flash-frozen.

What the Study Actually Says (But Funnier)

✅ What Science Says:

Regular cold water immersion reduced symptoms like:

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Low motivation

😂 What This Means:

You’re telling me I can either scream into a pillow or scream into a glacial lake and come out empowered?
Fine. But I’m bringing snacks.

What If I’m Not a Nordic Mermaid?

Okay, not everyone has access to a lake, a wetsuit, or the emotional stability to dive into water that makes your bones scream. We got you.

Here’s what you can do instead (aka: The Wimpy Girl’s Guide to Science-Approved Cooling):

Doable Alternatives (That Won’t Make You Cry… Much)

1. Wrist Dunking Therapy
   💡 Just submerge your hands in ice water for 30 seconds.
   😂 “Because sometimes your palms are holding onto trauma and lava.”
2. Cold Shower End-Zinger
   💡 End your shower with 20–30 seconds of cold water.
   😂 “Scream optional. Empowerment likely. Bragging rights guaranteed.”
3. DIY Ice Bra Moment
   💡 Throw a cooling gel pack in your bra. Bonus if it has glitter.
   😂 “Because cleavage should come with cryotherapy.”
4. Cold Foot Bath at Your Desk
   💡 Bucket + ice = menopausal foot spa.
   😂 “We call it ‘spa-rky rage relief.’”
5. Cooling Vests (aka Menopause Armor)
   💡 Yes, they exist. Wear one under your clothes like a superhero.
   😂 “Just don’t hug anyone unless they’re prepared for contact frostbite.”
6. Neck Numb-Out Method
   💡 Place an ice pack or cold compress at the back of your neck – right on the nape where rage and heat like to gather.
   😂 “Because apparently this is where your internal thermostat lives and it’s clearly been drinking.”
7. Feet First Rescue
   💡 Submerge just your feet in a basin of cold water. It cools your core faster than you’d think and won’t mess up your hair.
   😂 “It’s like grounding, but with added frostbite flirtation.”

But Let’s Side-Eye This Real Quick

Science still says things like:

“Just reduce stress and symptoms will subside.”

Oh sure. Just cancel your responsibilities, scream into the void, and become a cucumber.
No thanks. We’ll stick to things that involve less gaslighting and more ice packs.

Elistocrat Thoughts: We’re the Test Group Now

If nearly half the women in that study say it helps, that’s enough for us to try it … with sarcasm, snacks, and maybe a waterproof emotional support duck.

And if it doesn’t work? At least you’ll have the most epic cold plunge story at your next sweaty brunch.

🗣️ Tell Us Your Truth:

Have you tried cold water anything for hot flashes?
What worked? What made you scream?
👉 We’re building the real survival guide – powered by actual women, not just researchers in lab coats.