Is winter swimming useful for men, can it lead to impotence?

The benefits of ice swimming for men is to improve blood circulation, because of the cold shock, the hidden resources of the body are sharply "mobilized". But the wrong technique or excessive zeal can cause serious harm, and a consultation with a cardiologist is required before starting the procedures.

8 factors why winter swimming is useful for men

With a sharp cooling of the body, blood rushes to the internal organs, the hormonal system intensively produces adrenaline. Blood returns to the limbs and skin, improves the supply of tissues with oxygen and nutrients.

In the long term, the following positive effects are observed:

• getting rid of depression, irritability, insomnia;
• general improvement in psycho-emotional state;
• strengthening the immune system;
• increased pain threshold;
• improvement of the cardiovascular system, normalization of blood pressure;
• skin tightening and rejuvenation;
• improving potency.

In addition, winter swimming increases self-esteem, which also has a beneficial effect on the general condition.

Contraindications and possible harm

Despite the benefits, winter swimming is stressful for the body. The active release of hormones and the load on the heart are not useful for everyone, there are several contraindications:

• acute inflammatory diseases;
• pathology of the heart, kidneys;
• vascular lesions (especially in the brain) or respiratory tract;
• cold allergy;
• alcohol intoxication;
• epilepsy;
• children up to age 14-16.

Unreasonable or illiterately performed procedures can lead to unpleasant, sometimes irreparable consequences, including:

• the development of chronic cold stress, accompanied by a decrease in immunity, a breakdown;
• disruption of the cardiovascular system up to stroke or cardiac arrest;
• diseases of the adrenal glands due to excessive production of hormones;
• prostate inflammation;
• infertility.

The harm of ice swimming for men is especially noticeable if you start swimming too abruptly or often.

Which winter swimming briefs for men to choose?

Choosing clothes for swimming is an individual question. If cold water is perceived adequately, does not cause discomfort, you can use your usual underpants. It is advisable to choose soft synthetic underwear, since cotton and linen are unpleasant when wet and take a long time to dry.

No metal or plastic parts are allowed.

Men who are sensitive to cooling of the groin area are advised to wear neoprene briefs for winter swimming - they do not allow water to pass through, allowing them to maintain a normal body temperature longer. Over time, you can replace them with regular underwear.

If a man has no experience of hardening, it is advisable to take the first steps in the summer or autumn. You should start with daily taking a contrast shower, then introduce regular dousing with cold water.

For the best preparation, it is recommended to start swimming in August-September, when the temperature starts to gradually decrease

With the onset of frost, "real" swimming will begin. You should submerge gradually, it is not recommended to wet your head. After going ashore, you need to get your body wet with a towel (you can't rub yourself!), Quickly put on dry clothes and go into the warmth.

To prevent the body from breaking the habit of cold water, it is necessary to swim regularly, at least 2-3 times a month, but not more often than once a week. During breaks, it is useful to walk barefoot in the snow, you can even "plunge" into light freshly fallen snow, since it has a softer effect on the body than ice water.

It is important to remember that before starting winter swimming, it is necessary to be examined by doctors, first of all, by a cardiologist. Inspection is required every season, regardless of experience. In addition, you cannot go swimming alone - there is always a risk of sudden convulsions, loss of consciousness or heart attack when someone has to come to the rescue.

Influence on male strength

Men planning to start extreme hardening are often interested in how winter swimming and potency are related. There are two positive aspects:

• short-term exposure to cold increases blood circulation, including to the genitals;
• quickly resolved stressful situations, as well as the feeling of "victory" over oneself contribute to an increase in testosterone synthesis.

Thus, "correct" winter swimming enhances libido, improves and prolongs an erection.

Winter swimming leads to impotence: truth or myth?

Hardening affects men's health indirectly and in most cases positively.The fact that ice swimming leads to impotence is nothing more than a myth, but if you swim too often or spend more than 3-5 minutes in ice water, unpleasant consequences are possible:

• short-term deterioration of libido due to cold stress;
• impaired spermatogenesis;
• development of prostatitis or inflammatory diseases of the testicles due to hypothermia.

To avoid side effects, it is enough to be moderate, use neoprene underwear if necessary.