Dear Asking for a Friend,
A co-worker said that she routinely steams her vagina, apparently it is good for vaginal health as well as calms cramping. Should I give it a try?
Signed, Steamy Lady Parts
Dear Steamy Lady Parts,
When your co-worker embarked on the vaginal deep cleaning rabbit hole, she may have consulted her social media feed instead of a healthcare provider — a simple Google search reveals that gynecologists generally advise against vaginal steaming.
The old-age practice gained popularity thanks to claims that it can help cleanse and destress the vagina, treat irregular periods, relieve cramps and bloating, help treat cysts, fibroids, vaginal prolapse, and help those struggling with fertility get pregnant. In 2019, nearly four years after it was first featured on Goop, vaginal steaming became one of the top beauty trends of the year.
Also known as yoni steaming or V-steaming, this alternative health practice involves sitting or squatting over a bowl of hot water infused with herbs, such as chamomile, mugwort, wormwood, calendula, basil and oregano. No doubt that each of these herbs are potent and have proven health benefits, but don’t expect that squatting over a hot bowl of water for 20 to 60 minutes at a time can improve vaginal health.
“There is no reason why women should be doing this,” says Dr. Ashley Waddington, obstetrician and gynecologist, assistant professor and co-director of contraception, advice, research and education (CARE) fellowship at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen’s University. “The name of this procedure is total nonsense because the vagina is an internal organ — you might only be getting steam on the vulva, which doesn’t require any special cleaning other than water and possibly a mild soap.”
The fact of the matter is that there are no proven, science-based health benefits of vaginal steaming, but what it can do is fry your lady parts.
