Myth Busting: The Truth about Cryotherapy and Cortisol

Christine Hannon
1 day ago
3 min read

If you’ve spent any time on wellness TikTok or scrolling health forums lately, you may have come across a concerning claim: “Cryotherapy spikes cortisol, especially in menopausal women, and should be avoided.”

It sounds alarming. But when you look at the actual research, the story is far more nuanced- and in many cases, completely misrepresented.

Let’s break it down.

First: What Is Cortisol, Really?

Cortisol is often labeled the “stress hormone,” but that’s an oversimplification.

It plays a critical role in:

Regulating metabolism
Supporting immune function
Managing inflammation
Helping your body respond to challenges (physical and emotional)

Importantly, cortisol isn’t inherently bad- it’s essential. The real issue is chronic dysregulation, not short-term fluctuation.

What Happens to Cortisol During Menopause?

Before even talking about cryotherapy, it’s important to understand this:

Hormonal changes during menopause can influence cortisol levels on their own.

Research shows that:

Cortisol levels may increase during the menopausal transition
These changes are largely driven by shifts in estrogen, FSH, and other hormones—not external stressors

Even more interesting:

Some studies suggest cortisol changes in menopause are more biologically driven than stress-driven
In certain cases, menopausal women may even have a blunted stress response (lower cortisol reaction to stressors)

Takeaway: Cortisol in menopause is already complex—and not simply “high because of stress.”

Does Cryotherapy Increase Cortisol?

Here’s where misinformation really starts to fall apart.

1. Repeated Cryotherapy May LOWER Cortisol

In a study of participants undergoing multiple sessions of whole-body cryotherapy:

Cortisol levels decreased progressively over time
By the end of treatment, cortisol was significantly lower than baseline

This suggests:👉 The body adapts to cold exposure👉 Cryotherapy may actually reduce overall physiological stress load

2. Research Shows Mixed (Not Harmful) Results

Across studies, cryotherapy has been shown to:

Increase cortisol temporarily
Decrease it
Or have no significant effect at all

In fact, one review of cryotherapy research concluded that cortisol responses are “equivocal” (inconsistent) and not indicative of harmful stress

Key point:A temporary fluctuation ≠ chronic stress or damage.

3. Acute Stress vs. Chronic Stress (This Is Where People Get It Wrong)

Cryotherapy is a form of controlled, short-term physical stress.

This is the same category as:

Exercise
Sauna use
Cold plunges

Short-term stress can actually be beneficial—a concept known as hormesis.

Instead of harming the body, it can:

Improve resilience
Enhance recovery
Support nervous system regulation

Why This Myth Targets Menopausal Women

The concern likely comes from a misunderstanding of two things:

Misinterpretation #1:

“Cortisol is already higher in menopause, so any increase is bad.”

Reality:

Cortisol fluctuations are normal
Short-term increases don’t equal chronic dysregulation

Misinterpretation #2:

“Cold exposure = stress = harmful.”

Reality:

The body differentiates between controlled physical stress and chronic psychological stress
These are not the same, and they don’t have the same long-term effects

What About Real-World Benefits for Women in Midlife?

While research specifically on menopausal women and cryotherapy is still growing, existing evidence suggests potential benefits that are highly relevant:

Reduced inflammation
Improved mood (via endorphin release)
Enhanced recovery and energy
Possible improvements in sleep and mental clarity

And importantly: No strong evidence shows cryotherapy is harmful to menopausal or post-menopausal women when used appropriately.

The Bottom Line

The claim that cryotherapy “spikes cortisol and is unsafe for menopausal women” is not supported by current scientific evidence.

What the research actually shows:

Cortisol responses to cryotherapy are temporary and adaptive
Repeated sessions may lower baseline cortisol
Menopausal cortisol changes are primarily hormone-driven, not caused by therapies like cryotherapy

Final Thought

Not all stress is harmful.

In the right dose, at the right time, stress is what makes the body stronger, more resilient, and better regulated, especially during periods of transition like menopause.