WHAT IS VAGINAL STEAMING, YONI STEAMING, OR PELVIC HERBAL STEAMING?

Vaginal steaming is a non-invasive, holistic practice to support a woman’s menstrual, reproductive, sexual, pelvic, and gynecological health.

Vaginal steaming, also known as yoni steaming or pelvic herbal steaming is a practice that has roots in nearly every (if not every) culture and region of the world. It’s a simple practice of making a strong pot of herbal tea blended to your specific reproductive and gynecological needs, and kneeling or sitting over the steaming herbs with a sheet around your waist creating a sauna for the pelvis, to receive the medical properties of the plants and the cleansing effects of the steam and heat.


Vaginal Steaming increases circulation, moving any stagnation while promoting cleansing of the uterus to support your overall pelvic health as a female-bodied being. 

 

VAGINAL STEAMING CAN BE INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH:

  • Endometriosis

  • Ovarian Cysts

  • Uterine Fibroids

  • PCOC

  • BV or Bacterial Vaginosis

  • Irregular, short or long menstrual cycles

  • Painful periods

  • Painful ovulation

  • Menopause or Perimenopause

  • Postpartum

  • Vaginal Dryness

  • Painful Sex

  • Emotional healing around the pelvis.

BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS:

An ideal period happens every 28-30 days, with an average of 4 days of bleeding bright red blood. No clots, no spotting, no dark thick blood, no cramping. Steaming can help regulate your cycle, improve its efficiency, and free you of any pain and discomfort related to it.

  

Users have reported better sleep, decreased swelling in legs and feet, decreased abdominal bloating, increased libido, decrease in breast soreness, fewer headaches, fewer PMS symptoms, increased energy, lucid dreams, tingling feet, and increased lubrication.

SIGNS YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM STEAMING:

• Dark or brown blood at the beginning/end of your period

• Dark or thick blood

• Heavy periods

• Cramps or painful periods

• Clots

• Hormonal imbalances

• Bleeding more than 4 days

• Cycles shorten than 27 days

• Irregular cycles

• PMS 

 
 

SAFETY FIRST:

Overall pelvic or vaginal steaming is a non-invasive, very safe, and effective modality. There are a few contraindications that are very important to be educated around, and the herbs you use make all the difference. (After reading about the 4 blend options in the shop, if you are unsure, contact Abby with questions via email).


There are a handful of situations where it is not dangerous to steam, but it can inflame certain gynecological issues causing you discomfort. Steaming could potentially cause certain birth controls (Essure, arm implant or patch, tubal coagulation) to not work, it could potentially reverse uterine ablation or uterine embolization, and it can be very dangerous if done while bleeding or if you are prone to intermittent bleeding/spontaneous bleeding/two periods a month.

 

*IMPORTANT*

• Never steam with any sign of fresh blood.

• Never steam while on your period.

• Do not steam If you have two periods a month, are prone to spontaneous bleeding, or intermittent bleeding.

• Do not steam if there is a chance of pregnancy (including post-ovulation if trying to conceive).

• Do not steam post-surgery (c-section, hysterectomy, fibroid surgery, etc.) for at least 6 weeks so the incision can heal.



If there is any sign of fresh blood or you are prone to spontaneous bleeding, two periods a month or intermittent bleeding, steaming can induce heavy bleeding. If you are pregnant it can induce a miscarriage. 


 SOFT CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Meaning it’s not dangerous to steam but vaginal steaming may cause discomfort or interfere with certain birth controls or procedures.


• If you have any sort of infection accompanied by a “burning sensation” or a “burning itch” you most likely have excess heat in your body and steaming will inflame your discomfort. It is up to you whether to try but you most likely will benefit from seeing a naturopath, acupuncturist, or herbal practitioner to address this before trying to steam.

• If you use birth control in the form of an arm implant or patch, have Essure coils in the fallopian tubes, or have had tubal coagulation (one form of having your tubes tied) steaming can potentially reverse the effects of your birth control causing it to not work properly. If you have the NuvaRing, take it out while steaming and then put it back in after.

• If you have had uterine ablation or uterine embolization, steaming could potentially reverse the effects of the procedure.

 

If you have a situation where you are unsure, it’s best to seek a trained practitioner to guide you.  Email Abby with questions.