Is Flotation Therapy Good for Fertility?

This post was reviewed for medical accuracy by Rosalie Gunson, a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in fertility care.

Curious about flotation therapy? It’s been around since the 1970s, but it’s becoming more popular in the 21st century as people crave effective ways to unplug and decompress.

Regular flotation therapy can be a great complement to fertility treatment!

Floating in a warm, weightless environment rich in magnesium sulfate has been shown to lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline while increasing levels of pleasant hormones like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.

It’s also incredibly relaxing for pregnant women!

What is Flotation Therapy?

If you have never heard of flotation therapy, here’s the basic idea: You lie naked in a shallow pool of water that is so salty, you float without doing anything. The water is heated to a temperature close to your own body temperature, so it will feel comforting but not hot.

Float facilities typically have various options for lighting and music that you may be able to adjust to your liking. The classic float experience, though, is silent and completely dark.

Flotation tanks come in many different designs. In a flotation pod, which looks like a giant egg, you have the option of closing the lid or leaving it open. Other tanks are more like big open bathtubs. Regardless, you will be in a windowless room all by yourself, with a shower.

A float pod

What are the Benefits of Flotation Therapy?

So why would anyone do this? There are really two aspects of floatation therapy to consider: the actual floating and the sensory deprivation (being in a dark, silent environment).

Floating itself is very relaxing. It’s great for people suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, tension headaches and migraines. It has also been shown to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and improve sleep. The endorphins released help you continue to feel great after you have finished your float session.

The water in a float tank contains around 1,000 pounds of pharmaceutical-grade Epsom salt, otherwise known as magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is anti-inflammatory. As you float, your skin absorbs these minerals. That is helpful, since lots of people are deficient in magnesium.

It is especially great for people with skin conditions like eczema. (A word of caution here: Rashes will sting for the first ten or so minutes of your float. It’s worth it, though!) Magnesium sulfate is also amazing for athletes recovering from training.

That covers the floating aspect. So what’s the point of the sensory deprivation?

First of all, let’s get our lingo right. Sensory deprivation is now known as Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, or REST. Doesn’t that sound more appealing, and less like a form of torture?!

People who love floating say that the lack of distraction gets them into a meditative, almost zen state that is hard to achieve in the regular world. Because there are no stimuli at all, there’s nothing to focus on besides your breathing. It’s much easier to be present and in-the-moment in a dark, silent float pod. It’s the ultimate form of Me Time!

For more information about the science behind flotation therapy, check out the website Clinical Flotation.

Flotation Therapy for Fertility and Prenatal Relaxation

For women undergoing fertility treatment, floating can be really beneficial. It helps clear the mind and helps you forget about that last BFN, at least for a little while. Anything you can do to reduce cortisol is a good thing for your chances of conception! (If infertility is stressing you out, see 8 Tips for Staying Sane During infertility/ IVF.)

If you get pregnant, definitely keep floating! When you are carrying a baby, the weightless feeling is absolutely amazing. I didn’t know about flotation therapy when I was pregnant, but I did go to prenatal water aerobics. I will never forget getting out of the pool while incredibly pregnant and feeling gravity come crashing down on me. Ooooof!

Are There Any Downsides to Flotation Therapy?

Medically speaking, there are no side effects to flotation therapy itself. It’s literally just a big bath with water and salt. But you should still check with your doctor before floating if you have any concerns.

The most obvious issue that people have with flotation therapy is claustrophobia. Shutting themselves in a dark little coffin is not everyone’s idea of a good time! It helps to remember that you are in control of the experience. You can request an open float room, if available, or choose a pod and just not lower the lid.

An open float room

But still, there are people who shouldn’t float. Float therapy is not appropriate for people who have serious health conditions like schizophrenia or uncontrolled epilepsy. It’s also a good idea to avoid floating if you have just had surgery or gotten a tattoo, because the salt could be painful. When in doubt, check with your doctor beforehand.

Intrigued? Want to know what it’s really like? Read on!

What to Expect from Your First Float

Here’s what to expect based on my own float experience.

When you show up for your float appointment, you will be shown to the room and someone will explain how the whole thing works. Then you’ll be left alone in your own little room. You take a shower, which is important for removing all oils and products and such. Then you put in earplugs. My facility also provided cream to protect any minor scratches from the burning salt. Then you get in the pod!

It takes a while to get used to the experience. At first you may be preoccupied with the different light or music settings. As you settle in, you may find your mind wandering. Unless they meditate regularly, it is hard for most people (me included) to shut off their usual stream of random thoughts. But that’s okay! You will still get the benefits of the weightless floating and the magnesium, even if you can’t stop thinking about what to make for dinner.

Some people are so relaxed, they fall sound asleep in their float pod.That’s not as dangerous as it sounds, since the water is less than a foot deep and so salty you won’t sink.

The pod will flash to signal when it’s time to get out. Some first-time floaters feel like the whole experience was over very quickly, while others are sure they were in the pod for several hours. For me, time totally stood still. I kept waiting for the flashing lights, because it seemed like I had been in there forever. (Had they forgotten about me?!)

You then take another shower — and you’ll want to, since you will be VERY salty! At the float center I went to, the appointments were 90 minutes apart, so I could float for a full hour and still have plenty of time for both showers.

My Experience With Flotation Therapy

I have now floated twice, and plan to keep going. The first time, I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. At first it was hard not to focus on what a weird experience it was. I spent a while playing with the settings to see what I liked. In the end, I preferred the combination of open pod, total darkness, and music.

The music was instrumental New Age music, like you might hear at a yoga class or getting a massage. It was very peaceful. I found that the music helped ground me a little bit. Without it, it was too easy to feel panicky and overwhelmed by the darkness.

I have terrible vision and can’t go anywhere without either glasses or contacts. The first time I brought my glasses with me, but wore my contacts in the pod. Big mistake! I got the salt water in my eyes, which stung and messed up my contacts. The second time I left my contacts at home.

Overall, I knew what to expect the second time and I settled in faster. It was obvious why most float centers recommend floating at least three times to get the hang of it. Hopefully by the third session, I will be able to quiet my mind and get into that zen state sooner.

Choosing a Float Center

If this sounds intriguing to you, see if there’s a float center in your area. Flotation therapy has been much more popular in Europe than in America, but these days new centers are opening all over the place. (That’s why I tried it — one opened up 15 minutes from my house.) If you are lucky enough to have several to choose from, ask if you can check out the space and see what you think.

Some questions to ask yourself while you’re visiting:

  •  Is it spotlessly clean?
  • Does it have a peaceful, spa-like atmosphere?
  • If you’re worried about claustrophobia, do they have any open float rooms?
  • Do they offer anything else you may be interested in, like a sauna or massage?
  • If you think you might be a regular floater, do they offer packages or memberships that would save you money?

An infrared sauna at a float center

Conclusion

If you’re claustrophobic, you might think flotation therapy sounds like a complete nightmare.

And if you’re very Type-A, you might think it sounds incredibly boring! But it’s actually a pretty cool experience.

Whether you’re undergoing fertility treatment or just needing a little break from the stress of everyday life, it’s worth giving floating a try.

All images in this post are by Raya on Assignment for Flōte (Hampton and Portsmouth, New Hampshire). Used with permission.

This post was last updated in May 2020.