Women Wary of Cold Plunge Trend as Research Lags

Celebrities tout the benefits, but experts say more data is needed on the impacts for women's health.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The trend of cold plunging, where people submerge themselves in freezing water, has become popular among celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Gwyneth Paltrow. However, recent research suggests the practice may not have the same benefits for women as it does for men, and could potentially even cause harm to women's reproductive health. Doctors caution that women, especially those going through menopause, perimenopause, or postpartum, should avoid cold plunging, as it can be an additional stress on the body. For women of reproductive age, the research is still unclear, with a 2021 study on rats showing cold temperatures can disrupt ovarian function, but doctors say more human trials are needed to understand the true impacts.

Why it matters

The cold plunge trend has exploded in popularity, with a market analysis showing the industry is expected to nearly double in value by 2033. However, the existing research on the benefits and risks of cold plunging has primarily focused on men, leaving women and their healthcare providers unsure of whether the practice is safe or advisable. As more women embrace cold plunging, understanding the potential impacts on women's health, especially reproductive health, is crucial.

The details

Recent studies have found that cold plunging has little to no effect on women, in contrast to research showing benefits for men. A 2025 study on 30 healthy women found the practice had virtually no impact. Additionally, a 2021 analysis found that extreme cold exposure could potentially damage ovarian function and reserves in female rats. Doctors caution that women going through major hormonal changes, such as menopause, perimenopause, or postpartum, should avoid cold plunging, as it can be an additional stressor on the body. For women of reproductive age, the research is less clear, with doctors unable to definitively say whether the practice is safe or harmful.

  • The 2025 study on 30 healthy women was conducted.
  • The 2021 analysis on the impacts of cold exposure on female rats was published.

The players

Hailey Bieber

A celebrity who has publicly discussed her practice of cold plunging for anxiety and mood benefits.

Lady Gaga

A celebrity who has shared on social media that she uses cold plunging as part of her post-show recovery routine.

Gwyneth Paltrow

A celebrity who has stated in interviews that she tries to submerge herself in cold water daily as part of her wellness ritual.

Stephanie Wallman, MD

The medical director at The Lanby, who cautions that women going through menopause, perimenopause, or postpartum should avoid cold plunging.

Gouri Pimputkar, DO

An OB/GYN for Allara Health, who discusses the potential impacts of cold exposure on ovarian function based on the 2021 rat study.

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What they’re saying

“The body will perceive cold plunging as an additional stress. It will go into storage instead of the fat-burning state that they're looking for.”

— Stephanie Wallman, MD, Medical Director, The Lanby (ELLE)

“These rats seemed to have a faster recruitment of resting follicles, depleting their reserves faster in comparison to their counterparts.”

— Anate Brauer, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist, RMA New York (ELLE)

What’s next

Doctors hope for more clarity through meaningful human trials on the impacts of cold plunging for women, especially those of reproductive age.

The takeaway

While cold plunging has become a popular wellness trend, the existing research suggests women should approach the practice with caution. More data is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks, especially for women's reproductive health.