The effect of drinking cold water on reduce the complaint of hot flashes in menopause women

One of the most common vasomotor symptoms experienced in women during the menopausal period is hot flashes. The effect of cold application and cold drinks are known among alternative treatment methods. The study was randomized controlled quasi-experimental to determine the effect of drinking cold water on reducing hot flashes in menopausal women. This study consisted of 74 women aged 40-60 years who applied to a public hospital outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with menopause. Menopausal symptoms assessment scale, hot flash belief scale, visual analog scale (VAS), hot flashes and daily water drinking follow-up forms were used for women who were randomly assigned to cold water group and control group. According to the groups, menstrual irregularity started at an average age of 36.54±13.65 and 35.57±12.91 months, hot flashes started at an average age of 28.38±15.67 and 34.14±12.23 months, menopause started at an average age of 46.65±3.45 and 46.65±3.14 years, and 21.6% of the women visited a doctor for menopause. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in the total change scores of menopausal symptoms according to the post-test results of the women. (t=-2.918; p=0.005<0.05). In addition, it was found that the mean change in VAS sweating intensity of women in the cold water group was higher than the mean change in the control group, which was statistically significantly different (t=2.43; p=0.01<0.05). It was seen that information should be given about the problems and coping methods that may be experienced to spend the pre- and post-menopausal period more comfortable, healthy and peaceful. It is especially important for nurses-midwives to approach women in the menopausal period holistically.