Steaming
WHAT IS VAGINAL STEAMING?
Vaginal steaming, or yoni steaming, has been used all across the world with roots going back to ancient times.
In most cultures it is traditionally used in the postpartum period to facilitate easier healing and recovery, however women of any age can benefit from incorporating steaming into their life.
A woman can steam before the onset of menses as a girl and continue throughout her life into the postmenopausal phase. Vaginal steaming presents a more natural approach to healing.
BENEFITS OF STEAMING
Listed below are some of the reported benefits and positive side effects of steaming.
- Reduce stress by activating your body's parasympathetic nervous system and fully relaxing in your body
- Promote healing after childbirth or miscarriage
- Cleanse the uterus, help heal hemorrhoids, fibroids, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, dryness, infections, dark brown blood during menses, odor, and irritation
- Enhance fertility and help regulate menstrual cycles or elongate cycles
- Balance your hormones
- Reduce hot flashes and night sweats
- Improve your body's circulation, especially in your pelvic area
- Increase your vaginal nectar, which is clear and pleasant-smelling cervical mucus
- Increase your libido and pleasure
- Overall improved well-being and self-care, and emotional balance
WHO CAN STEAM?
Even if you experience any of the following you can safely steam!
- IUD birth control: mild steam setup only
- Hot flashes: mild steam setup only
- Infections like yeast infections, bacterial infections, or herpes: mild steam setup only
- Birth Control Pill: no contraindications
- Open sores: steaming helps disinfect and keep an open sore clean while promoting faster healing
- Hysterectomy
- Fibroids: steaming is recommended for women who have fibroids
- Cysts: no type of cyst is contraindicated for steaming
- Human Papiloma Virus (HPV)
- Bumps: steaming may promote quick healing of the bump
- Nuvaring birth control: remove your Nuvaring prior to beginning your steam session
WHEN NOT TO STEAM
The following scenarios are times where steaming is absolutely contraindicated and should not be performed:
- during menses or fresh spotting
- during pregnancy
- after ovulation if trying to conceive, including IVF and IUI procedures
- if you experience spontaneous bleeding or have two periods a month
The situations listed below are not recommended for steaming by Women’s Embodied Wellness but it is the client’s choice:
- Burning Itch/Infection: steaming may cause the burning/itching to worsen and will not help resolve the issue, steaming is not recommended until the issue is resolved
- Tubal Coagulation: the fallopian tubes are singed or burned which creates scar tissue, steaming can clear out scar tissue which could lead to this birth control method failing
- Nexplanon (arm implant birth control): this birth control method works by creating a thick layer of mucus in the uterus which prevents implantation, steaming could cause the mucus to clear out and implantation could occur if the client has unprotected sex
- Essure birth control: this birth control method is an insert in the fallopian tubes that forms a barrier to block sperm, steaming could potentially dislodge the implant or clear out the barrier created by it
- Uterine ablation: the walls of the uterus are burned thus creating scar tissue, steaming could potentially heal the damaged tissue and reverse the ablation
Herb blends
Relief
If you experience night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or dry-natured infections like a yeast infection with no vaginal discharge, or live in a hot climate then this blend is beneficial for you
Refresh
If your menstrual cycle is 28 days or longer, you take an oral birth control pill, or have absent or missing periods then you can use this herb blend for steaming
Renew
This blend is a drying one, ideal for women who experience dampness or damp-natured infections with irregular vaginal discharge (green, yellow, thick, foul-smelling)
Tranquil
If you experience menstrual cycles shorter than 28 days, have indications of uterine fatigue (bleeding between periods or two periods a month), or are under the age of 13 whether or not you have gotten your first period then this is the appropriate blend for your needs
FAQs
Disclaimer: If you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medication please consult with your healthcare provider before using any herbal products. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. However, I make suggestions based on my own personal experiences and feedback received from others. Do not exceed recommended usage. Due to FDA regulations I am prohibited from offering medical advice regarding the use of my products. Use this product under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
Once you have obtained your herb blend and prepared them in a pot of water according to the directions you are ready to steam. Steaming can be done at a spa or in the comfort of your own home. You can use a special stool or chair or simply kneel over your pot of herbs. Cover your lower body with a sheet or towels to keep the steam close to your body and relax as you steam for 10 or 30 minutes depending on your individual cycle needs.
Any time boiling water is being used there is a risk of being burned. Use caution when steaming. Once your pot is ready, wave your hand over the steam to ensure the temperature is comfortable for squatting. If you become too warm while steaming please remove yourself from the pot or take off your sheet/cover to cool your body.
Absolutely! The steam itself is therapeutic and warming and can be a wonderful way to share steaming with any woman no matter her age.
Steaming with herbs has the bonus of aromatherapy as well as infusing the steam with additional properties depending on the herbs used. Each blend at Women's Embodied Wellness has been crafted to support a wide range of users. Check out our herbal blend descriptions for more information.
Please do not steam with essential oils as they are very concentrated and could cause burns or irritation to your sensitive pelvic area. If you do not have any herbs to steam with, using plain water is appropriate.
The gentle warming effects of aromatic steam on your pelvic area can be felt both physically and emotionally. Each user is different and unique, and each session is an opportunity to connect with yourself and explore the deeper parts of your physical and spiritual body. It is an intimate experience full of learning.
Women's Embodied Wellness only recommends steaming over a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel pot, never plastic. The boiling water could cause the plastic to weaken and introduce toxins to the water and steam.