Ice baths are a great way to rest and recharge after workouts, but they’re not just for athletes. A cold plunge has many proven benefits for your overall health and quality of life. Research suggests that cold water immersion could help boost sexual wellness — naturally.

This article will explain how cold therapy affects testosterone and sexual wellness. Read on to learn what cold water immersion could do for your testosterone levels, sex drive, fertility, and overall feeling of well-being.

Cold Therapy May Increase Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men (women have it too but in much smaller amounts). It helps fuel your sex drive, and it also helps your body build and maintain strong muscles. Testosterone levels tend to be highest when you’re in your 20s, and they slowly start to drop in your early 30s. Research has shown that when you use cold water therapy, testosterone levels may rise.

In a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, researchers had professional soccer players complete sprint exercises and then enter a cryotherapy chamber. A control group sat in a warm indoor environment after exercise. Compared to the controls, the players who did cold therapy had elevated testosterone levels for 24 hours after exercise.

A study published in the American Journal of Men’s Health reported similar findings. In that study, young men were immersed in cold water after a sauna session, sometimes referred to as contrast therapy. Their mean testosterone levels jumped from 4.04 ng/mL to 4.25 ng/mL — an increase of more than 5%.

Cold Therapy May Boost Your Libido

Sex hormones help fuel your sex drive. For men, testosterone is the main sex hormone, and for women, it’s estrogen. Low levels of these key sex hormones could translate to a lower sex drive and leave you wondering how to increase sexual energy. But increasing them could give your libido a boost.

Studies have suggested that swimming in cold water could be a natural way to increase sex hormone levels. In a study published in Biomolecules, researchers observed rats who swam in cold (5°C/41°F) and warm (36°C/97°F) water. Swimming in cold water was shown to increase females’ level of estradiol, a type of estrogen. And for males, cold water swimming resulted in increased testosterone levels.

Cold Therapy May Help With Fertility Challenges

Nearly one in seven couples who are trying to have a baby experience infertility, Mayo Clinic explains. And for as many as half of them, male fertility problems are at least partially responsible. Male infertility may be caused by a variety of medical or environmental causes, but sometimes, it may be as simple as too much heat exposure to the testicles.

Swapping your soak in a hot tub for a plunge in an ice bath could help with fertility challenges. A study published in the International Brazilian Journal of Urology reported that in nearly half of men with infertility, stopping wet heat exposure (such as hot baths) increased total motile sperm counts by an average of 491%. 

Testicular cooling has shown promise as a treatment option for men with infertility: A study published in the International Journal of Andrology reported that cooling the testicles led to a significant increase in both sperm concentration and total sperm count. Taking a dip in your Ice Barrel is a fast, convenient way to cool down. 

Cold Therapy May Improve Mental Health

Mental wellness is a key part of sexual wellness. When you’re dealing with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, sex may be the last thing on your mind. Even day-to-day stresses about work or finances could sap your libido and leave you wondering how to increase sexual energy and get your sex life back on track. Many studies have shown that cold water immersion could help boost mental health naturally, which could give your sex life a corresponding boost.

Regular winter swimming significantly improves well-being, according to research published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health. After four months of winter swimming, swimmers reported improved moods and higher energy levels. Cold water immersion could even help reduce symptoms of depression. A BMJ case report detailed a young woman with severe depression and anxiety who, thanks to weekly cold water swimming, was able to reduce her symptoms and become medication-free.

While winter swimming’s benefits for mental health are proven, it’s not the only way to take advantage of the benefits of cold water immersion. The Ice Barrel makes it easy to soak in cold water in the comfort of your own home. 

Make Ice Baths Part of Your Journey to Sexual Wellness

The link between cold therapy and improved sexual wellness is strong and backed by science. Taking a dip in cold water could help raise your testosterone levels, give your libido a boost and even help with fertility challenges. The Ice Barrel makes it easy to take a cold plunge in the comfort of your home. Simply fill your Ice Barrel with water and ice, and hop in!