Is vaginal steaming safe?

A woman's vagina has to deal with the menstrual cycle, sex and childbirth. Vaginal steaming is an age-old natural remedy that is said to cleanse the vagina and uterus, regulate menstruation, and relieve menstrual pain and bloating. After receiving rave reviews on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop website, the sport has grown in popularity. Vaginal steaming involves exposing the vagina to steam to cleanse and promote health. Other names for this method include V steam or yoni sauna.
But aside from providing a soothing warmth underneath, is a vaginal steaming safe?
Vaginal steaming procedure
Although there are many ways to perform vaginal steaming and these vary based on cultural practices, however, the most well known is sitting on a basin, a hole in the ground or a toilet-like structure that contains a mixture of steamed water and herbs. The purpose is to mix air that will go up the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus to provide many benefits. Modern technology is now used by many spas that are adopting vaginal steaming techniques, such as V-Steam, which combine many of the same procedures in a more comfortable fashion. Instead of sitting on a hot pot, with V-Steam, you relax in a dimly lit room, like you're getting a massage, and then, a therapeutic herbal concoction mixed with The trunk will be aimed at your pelvic area. This treatment is usually completed with an LED placed over the same area for the purpose of further cleaning.

Vaginal steaming introduces steam from herbs into your vagina. You can also do it at home, although most doctors don't recommend it. The process is pretty simple - you just sit or squat over a steam bath filled with herbs. Herbs commonly used alone or in combination include:
Wormwood Chamomile Betel leaf Basil Basil Oregano Brine Most spas have a special seat with a hole for steam to pass through. . It's a bit more difficult to do at home. However, before trying it yourself, you should weigh its supposed benefits and possible safety issues. Here are some suggestions for home steaming:
Add about a cup of your chosen herbs to a basin of hot water. Let the herbs soak for at least a minute. Take off your clothes from the waist down. Stand or squat directly on the pot. Some people like to put the basin in the toilet and then sit on the toilet. Wrap a towel around your waist and legs to prevent steam from escaping. The average sauna time is from 20 to 60 minutes. Depending on how hot the water is, the steam may cool sooner.

Most healthcare professionals agree that the risks of vaginal steaming far outweigh any potential benefits. One of the biggest and most obvious risks is that vaginal steaming can burn the vaginal area if it gets too hot. This is of particular concern because the skin around the vagina is thinner and more sensitive to heat than other parts of the body.

Adding moist heat to the vagina and exposing the vagina to certain additives in the steam can also increase the risk of yeast or bacterial infections in women.
Vaginal steaming can also increase the temperature inside the vagina, which can change the pH of the reproductive organs, thereby increasing the risk of vaginal infections.
People with chronic and inflammatory diseases, including vestibular or vulvar disorders, may also be at increased risk of infection and irritation if they participate in vaginal steaming. In people with open lesions in the vaginal area, whether from childbirth or an active infection, the heat and steam from vaginal steaming can further irritate and lead to infection. While it can be tempting to try a new method of vaginal cleansing, keep in mind that the vagina is a self-cleaning organ. In fact, research has found that other methods of vaginal cleansing, including douching, lead to an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis.
If the vaginal steamer is not kept clean, a person may also be at risk of infection and other side effects. Therefore, it is essential to clean all equipment before use.
If a person goes to a spa for a vaginal steaming, they should ask the spa staff how they clean the equipment and what steps they take to reduce the risk of infection.
Vaginal steaming can be dangerous if a woman is pregnant. This is because vaginal vapor can affect the developing fetus.
Doctors often recommend that pregnant women avoid hot tubs, saunas, and heating pads around the pelvis for the same reason.
Please follow the website ( www.vinmec.com ) for more information on health care instructions, which we will update regularly.

Reference sources: medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com