Yoni steam became a trend among celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chrissy Teigen. But how well does it work?
Vaginal steaming isn’t a complicated process. You’ll only need to sit or squat on a pot of herb-infused treatment, and the steam directs into your vagina.
Those who’ve undergone the remedy felt promising results. However, doctors question its safety and effectiveness.
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What Exactly Is Yoni Steam (Vaginal Steaming)?
Yoni steam (also known as vaginal steaming or v-steam) is nothing but an age-old remedy for women. It’s recognized to those who suffer from menstrual pains or those who want to spark fertility despite age.
Further, some regarded the yoni steam as the “solution” for reproductive health issues.
Although some might find v-steam weird, those who have undergone the practice believe it’s a great way to nourish their bodies.
As the practice is explored year after year, several clinics and spas opened their very own v-steam facility. Vaginal steaming only takes half an hour where you’ll sit or squat on a pot or herb-infused treatment.
If you are thinking about the herbs used in yoni steam, they are none other than organic edible herbs. Here are as follows:
- For menstrual pains: motherwort, mugwort, basil, rosemary, chamomile, and calendula
- For PMS: raspberry leaves, oregano, mugwort, and red rose petals
- For menopause: basil, marshmallow, sage, chamomile, and raspberry leaves
- For fertility: rosemary, basil, wormwood, red rose petals, lavender, and chamomile
- For miscarriage: mugwort, oregano, lavender, and calendula. oregano, and calendula
- For the postpartum: oregano, rosemary, calendula, raspberry leaves, yarrow, and comfrey
Yoni Steam Supposed Benefits
Aside from vagina cleaning, there are claims that the practice provides benefits to a women’s reproductive system. It’s also rumored to have the following advantages:
1. Improves menstrual cycle
Claims: Some felt relief from menstrual pains and exhaustion. This was due to the process’ “steam towards the porous skin of the outer labia.”
2. Heals the womb
Claims: Yoni steam helps women drain the old blood, along with inactive cells and tissues. The process gets rid of cysts, polyps, and endometrium growing outside the uterus. Thus, it results in a healthy womb.
3. Offers space for relaxation
Claims: Women can focus on the sense of well-being and relaxation. Some even refer to the process as a way towards self-meditation.
4. Helps detoxify your body
Claims: Moderate heat releases toxins from the cells into the lymphatic fluid. In other words, the therapy aids in flushing out toxins and clearing the congestion from the womb.
5. Enhances fertility
Claims: Yoni steam improves the uterus. As such, women facing fertility struggles see vaginal steaming as beneficial.
6. Increases self-confidence
Claims: Yoni steam increases a woman’s sex drive in the long run. Some perceive the moisture and heat flows contribute to an increased libido.
7. Speeds up recovery
Claims: Yoni steam tones a woman’s reproductive system, especially after giving birth.
What Do OB/GYNs Think About Yoni Steam?
Despite the numerous reports claiming the benefits of vaginal steaming to women, research shows that it doesn’t help in any condition.
According to OB-GYN Dr. Jen Grunter, women should stay away from v-steam. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, meaning you don’t need to do anything to keep it clean and unspotted.
Vagina cleans itself by discharging dead cells out of the body to avoid infections. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, as it’s completely normal and natural for women.
Similarly, Dr. Jen Grunter emphasizes that the lactobacilli strains inside keep the vagina clean and healthy. Thus, raising the temperature (through the v-steam process) could only disrupt the environment.
The president of Five Journeys Integrative Medicine, Wendie Trubow, M.D., explains that vaginal steaming or other vaginal “cleaning” purposes aren’t necessary at all.
After all, the supposed healing steam cannot access the uterus because there’s a tightly closed cervix at the end of the vagina.
Is Yoni Steam Safe and Effective?
Still, there’s no scientific evidence whether vaginal steaming is effective or not.
But steaming the vagina without consulting your OB-GYN is extremely dangerous.
The vagina’s skin is delicate. Raising the temperature or adding moisture to the vagina creates a breeding ground for vaginal infections and bacteria.
The vagina is also sensitive. Heat temperature can cause a tingling and burning sensation to the area. A case study reveals that a 62-year-old sustained a second-degree burn from vaginal steaming.
Finally, the vagina can also suffer from irritation due to the disruption of the vagina’s ecosystem. The worst infection a woman might suffer is bacterial vaginosis.
Ways to Get the Purported Benefits of Vaginal Steaming
There are no accepted medical guidelines that recommend women to do vaginal steaming to improve reproductive health.
Fortunately, other scientific and medically proven ways exist, which are safer for your reproductive organ’s health. Here are as follows:
- Exercising regularly
- Washing the vulva using warm water
- Eating foods rich in antioxidants
- Cutting down on carbs, if you have PCOS
- Getting an active lifestyle
- Creating a balanced diet
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- Eating foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins
Key Takeaways
There’s no evidence that vaginal steaming is effective, but there are scientific proofs to show it’s dangerous.
Health practitioners don’t recommend this practice at all. The vagina is thought of as a self-cleaning organ. It doesn’t need any cleansing process to maintain its health.
Vaginal steaming can be dangerous. It increases vaginal infection risks as the result of a disrupted vaginal ecosystem.
Yoni steam or vaginal steaming isn’t an effective way to improve your reproductive system’s health. You can do alternative ways to achieve the supposed benefits of yoni steam, as some would claim.
If you’re still curious about the remedy, consider consulting your doctor first.
