Health Debunked: Why You Should Avoid Vaginal, or Yoni, Steaming
Key takeaways:
Yoni steaming, or vaginal steaming, involves sitting over a pot of hot, herb-infused water.
There are many purported benefits of vaginal steaming. Some proponents claim it detoxifies the womb, improves fertility, and increases energy.
But there is no scientific evidence that vaginal steaming has any of these benefits. In fact, the practice can be dangerous.
You may have seen celebrities touting the benefits of yoni steaming. Some claim that this method of vaginal steaming can reduce menstrual symptoms and increase fertility. And, as a result, the alternative treatment has gained popularity in modern spas and as a DIY treatment.
But does vaginal steaming work, and should you do it? Find out what the science says about the safety and efficacy of vaginal steaming.
What is vaginal steaming?
Vaginal steaming, or yoni steaming, is an alternative treatment for sexual and reproductive health. It involves sitting –– unclothed from the waist down –– over a pot of hot, herb-infused water. And it’s designed to cleanse the vulva. But fans of the trendy practice also claim that absorbing herbal steam through the pores enhances blood flow and promotes healing.
Select spas offer vaginal steaming, or “v-steaming,” as it’s sometimes called. But people can also buy yoni steamers –– typically in the form of a basin or small seat with a hole in the center –– to do it at home.
An at-home treatment involves filling the steamer with hot water and natural herbs. (Rosemary, mugwort, basil, and wormwood are common herbs used with the practice.) And people often wrap a towel around their waist to contain the steam while they sit over the basin for around 20 to 45 minutes.
What are the purported benefits of vaginal steaming?
There is no scientific evidence to support the purported benefits of vaginal steaming. But that hasn’t stopped many people from trying the popular holistic treatment. Proponents claim the practice cleanses the vagina, relieves period symptoms, and rebalances hormone levels.
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V-steaming is also said to offer the following benefits:
Detoxify the womb
Regulate monthly bleeding
Relieve stress
Increase fertility
Ease menopause symptoms
Decrease fatigue
Boost energy
Treat hemorrhoids
Promote healing after childbirth
Reduce headaches
Is it safe to steam your vagina?
There isn’t evidence that vaginal steaming is, in fact, safe. And most experts recommend against it.
Moreover, because of the anatomy of the vagina and uterus, it’s unlikely that very much steam, if any, enters the body during the treatment. However, the vagina is sensitive. And exposure to hot steam could be harmful for many reasons.
Steam can burn genital tissue, which is thinner and more sensitive than other areas of the body. And if you don’t keep vaginal steaming equipment clean, it can lead to infection.
It's also important to avoid vaginal steaming if you are pregnant, as it’s unknown how the practice could affect a developing baby.
Steaming can change your vagina’s pH balance
There’s a misconception that you must take extra steps, such as douching or vaginal steaming, to clean your vagina. Your vagina cleans itself and maintains a healthy pH balance (measurement of acidity or alkalinity) with natural vaginal discharge.
Disrupting that balance can upset the natural bacteria produced by the vagina, causing an imbalanced pH level. Lactobacilli, a natural bacteria found in the vagina, produces lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, keeping acidity levels balanced while protecting against infection. According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, disrupting the vagina’s pH balance can lead to irritation and infections, such as vaginitis.
Where did the idea behind steaming your vagina come from?
The origins of vaginal steaming are unclear, but it may date back to ancient times. It is a practice that is found in cultures around the world. One study by the World Health Organization looked at vaginal practices in South Africa, Indonesia, Mozambique, and Thailand. And the researchers found vaginal steaming was relatively common for self-care and to promote healing after childbirth.
What is the best way to keep your vagina clean?
Remember, your vagina is self-cleaning. So you don’t need to clean the inside of your vagina. That being said, there are simple steps you can take when cleaning your genitals to ensure you’re doing so safely:
Wash the outer and inner parts of the vulva using clean fingers, warm water, and unscented soap.
Make sure not to get the soap inside your vagina.
Rinse the area thoroughly and pat dry with a clean, soft towel.
Remember, the vagina is a sensitive and delicate area. Using scented soaps and washes can cause irritation. The best way to keep your vagina healthy is by keeping the area clean, dry, and free of perfumes.
The bottom line
There is no scientific evidence to support the benefits of yoni steaming, or vaginal steaming. And most experts recommend against it. Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ. So practices like douching and vaginal steaming can do more harm than good.
If you are considering vaginal steaming, talk to your healthcare provider about safer options first.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bent, S. (2008). Herbal medicine in the United States: Review of efficacy, safety, and regulation. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Cottrell, B. H. (n.d.). An updated review of evidence to discourage douching. Lippincott Nursing Center.
Cox-Henry, J. (2018). The vaginal steaming trend: Helpful or harmful for endometriosis? Endometriosis Foundation of America.
Robert, M. (2019). Second-degree burn sustained after vaginal steaming. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.
Stuart, A. G. (n.d.). Wormwood. The University of Texas El Paso.
Tachedjian, G., et al. (2017). The role of lactic acid production by probiotic Lactobacillus species in vaginal health. Research in Microbiology.
Vandenburg, T., et al. (2016). ‘Basically, it’s sorcery for your vagina’: Unpacking Western representations of vaginal steaming. Culture, Health and Sexuality.
World Health Organization. (2012). A multi-country study on gender, sexuality and vaginal practices: Implications for sexual health.
Yelverton, F. (2017). Mugwort. NC State Extension Publications.
