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.

Background: Cold water swimming is growing in popularity, especially among women. We have previously reported that women felt that cold water swimming helps with their menstrual and menopause symptoms. But little is known about the habits of women who cold water swim. Objectives: To determine the habits of women who cold water swim. Design: This was a mixed-methods study. Methods: An online survey asked women who cold water swim about their experience of swimming and how this affected their menstrual and menopause symptoms. The survey was advertised for 2 months on social media, with a focus on advertising in cold water swimming Facebook groups. In this article, only the questions on the women’s swimming habits were analyzed. Results: The analysis of 1114 women, mainly from the United Kingdom, revealed that most had been swimming for 1–5 years (79.5%). Most swim in the sea (64.4%), and only 15.5% swim alone. The majority (89.0%) swim all year around, swimming for mainly 30–60 min in the summer and 5–15 min in the winter. The women mostly swim wearing swimming costumes (skins) throughout the year. The majority of the free-text responses showed women found mental and physical benefits from cold water swimming. Conclusion: It was not surprising to learn that women swim for longer in the summer than the winter, but hearing how they feel cold water swimming helps their physical and mental health is important. With the limitations on access and safety of many wild swimming sites in the United Kingdom, it is time to ensure that cold water swimming is safer and more supported.

Drowning is a largely preventable global public health problem. Many unintended drownings are linked to the initial responses to cold-water immersion (cold shock), which includes a rapid involuntary cardio-respiratory response that increases the risk of aspirating water within the first two minutes of immersion. Floating rather than struggling to swim can help survival in this circumstance. In light of early research and subsequent changes in anthropometry, we are re-examining whether bone mineral density (BMD) in people from African, Caribbean, and Asian communities influences their float. This study examined predictors of float outcome. A total of 101 participants of African, Caribbean, Asian, or mixed heritage were recruited; 96 attempted a two-minute supine float following instruction and practice, of whom 89 were successful. Body fat percentage strongly correlated with buoyancy and floating outcome, while other predictors, including BMD, showed weak or no association. Passive floaters (no movement required) demonstrated greater buoyancy and less exertion than active floaters (purposeful movement required). These findings suggest that body fat percentage is the primary factor influencing float outcome, and that with appropriate instruction and practice, individuals of African, Caribbean and Asian heritage can “find their float”. The results indicate that floating is a learnable competence and highlight the need for integrated drowning prevention strategies combining existing campaigns with accessible, community-based practices and co-produced approaches to improve engagement and equity.