Pelvic Steaming Awareness
August Is Vaginal Steam Awareness Month
There is so much to learn and be more aware of when it comes to this topic. First off, the term pelvic steaming refers to what many of us know as “vaginal steaming” or “yoni steaming”. We begin to use the term pelvic steaming as we start to learn more about the history of this practice as well as the fact that this steam reaches far more areas than just the vagina. Additionally, is not only meant for the treatment of the vagina and uterus but can also be used to treat the lower digestive tract as well as the pelvic region. You don’t have to have a uterus or vagina to benefit from it!
Patriarchy, colonization and other systems of oppression have historically used medicine as a way to suppress certain populations. We can see how this plays out today with the recent overturning of Roe V. Wade by the supreme court, the lack of gender affirming care for trans people, the disparities on Black maternal healthcare and through unpacking why many people feel unheard and/or dissatisfied with their reproductive healthcare. I meet a lot of people who are looking for other options or better support when it comes to pelvic health, reproductive health and fertility. It should not be this way.
The practice of steaming is gentle and deeply connects you to yourself and for some their ancestors and lineage. The fact that it has become so controversial, when really it should be the norm is something we should dig deeper on. To help people understand just how vital this practice is today I asked some seasoned steam practitioners from my Steamy Chick community, to share their stories.
Julia Demillones Moore, Moon Beam Steams Montague, Massachusetts
Julia Demillones Moore (she/her) of Moon Beam Steams in Montague, Massachusetts had a “history of painful and debilitating periods”, but when she began steaming she “experienced such a profound shift”, she says she “knew that this practice had to be shared and talked about.”
Témar Marté, (she/her) of Punani Steam in Honolulu, Hawaii felt that she “needed a better option for the many hormonal and reproductive issues” she had been dealing since the time of her first menstruation into her 30’s. She got to a place where she felt “Western Medicine was not actually addressing or getting real answers to find the cause and solution”. She couldn’t believe the positive changes she saw from steaming and naturally wanted to share with others.
Dr. Theresa Pulickal, (she/her) DPT, of Holistic PT in San Diego, California started out specializing in pelvic floor PT knowing there was a huge need in the specialty. She first learned about steaming from a colleague and soon realized it was something many of her patients could benefit from and really needed. She recalls that her “third postpartum experience with steaming was unforgettable. I healed so quickly, felt amazing, and relaxed.” Compared to her previous births that happened without a steaming practice, she felt she recovered better, faster and not just physically, but also emotionally.
Success Stories
Julia had a post menopausal client who was recommended to have a D&C (dilation and curettage) due to her thick endometrial lining. “within 2 months of consistent steaming her next scan came back a regular level for her endometrial lining”. Julia also mentions another client story of “painful cramping before and during period – life altering and disrupting. Also experienced digestive upsets around the time of menstruation.” When she steamed on protocol for one cycle and the next period was almost pain-free!”
Témar Marté, Punani Steam Honolulu, Hawaii
Témar has “served over 600 women and men”, and her work with clients has been associated with about 100 pregnancies. She wouldn’t have been able to do it all without the changes she’s seen in her own menstrual health. She says, “For myself I have seen consistent monthly periods, 2-3 days with next to no cramping or severe PMS! No more doctors visit for infections: BV, yeast, odor & discharge.” A steam practice has also helped her have a better connection with herself and her body. Témar says ”I feel I can handle my emotions and understand what I’m going through so much better!” She describes her steaming as “the first natural prevention, maintenance, detox cleanse, speedy recovery and healing care I have EVER received all in one practice.” Prior to finding steaming, she says she felt “ashamed, awkward, vulnerable, low self esteem, depression, anxiety, embarrassed, traumatic for living with visible issues” for 25 years.
Dr. Pulickal had a client who was doing her third try of Intrauterine insemination (IUI). The previous two did not result in pregnancy and her [the client’s] IUI provider concluded she must have scar tissue over the opening of the cervix (known as the os) and was unable to get past the scar tissue with the small IUI syringe.” She worked with Dr. Theresa on a steam protocol before her third IUI and it took. “A few weeks later she had a positive pregnancy test, has a healthy pregnancy, and is expecting the baby to arrive any day now.” Another patient of Dr. Theresa was a man “with chronic hemorrhoids, nothing helped - except steam. They have gone away. If they return, he can treat himself.”
Misconceptions About Pelvic Steaming
Dr. Theresa Pulickal, Holistic PT San Diego, California
Steaming is not needed because the vagina is self-cleaning and not dirty
Julia recalls a time she was “vending at a makers market one time and a woman said she would never do this because she believes that her body is self cleaning.” Julia says, “Whenever I am approached with this mindset I share that this practice is not done because we are dirty, it’s actually a practice in love and pleasure and support to our bodies. Our colon is self cleansing and sometimes we get constipated so we need support to relieve that. Our mouths are self cleansing, but that doesn’t stop people from brushing their teeth. We steam because we are caring and affirming the amazing bodies we are in.“
Témar also adds that “the vagina is not the uterus, we need understanding of what our anatomy is and how it works.” she explains that the process of menstruation is a shedding and if symptoms arise it could mean that there is something out of balance.
Steam will burn you
Dr. Theresa says, “I agree, steam can burn you and vaginal tissue is sensitive, but we also have the ability to perceive temperature and therefore can move away from something that is too hot.” We all do this on a regular basis when we take showers, baths, drink something hot, or wash our hands. Temperature can be adjusted and we can choose not to subject ourselves to something that we think might burn us.
Julia says, “This is a misconception about the intensity of the steam. She goes on to say “a well-known doctor, naysayer, made a tweet telling people to ‘get that high power nozzle out of your vagina’”. Julia explains that this comment just shows that the doctor who said that, does not have much knowledge about the practice. She explains that, “the steam temperature should be gentle and feel good. We are certainly not cooking our genitals like we would cook broccoli or dumplings.” She laughs at first and then says, “But I think a lot of people really believe that when we pelvic steam, it’s like this intense invasive process. Which is ironic because it’s about the ONLY gynecological practice that is pleasurable and not rooted in disturbing, racist, violent, experimentation.”
Steaming will upset your PH balance
Dr. Theresa believes this is a misconception that often comes up “because Western Medicine doesn't want us to have control of our own healthcare.“ If it were true, “being in a steamy shower or steam room would also alter pH and we know that is not true.”
Témar says that steaming will change the environment of the uterus and vagina but, “for the better by draining everything out, rather than keeping it stuck and sitting. Having an increase in discharge is a result of what was in the pelvic area [before] not a result of the practice.” This is why for some cases, working with an experienced practitioner like Témar, can make a world of difference!
The average medical doctor knows very little about steaming and other traditional medicinal practices and therefore will not recommend it. As an acupuncturist myself, I find it interesting that in my 5 years of study I spent much of that time learning about Western Biomedicine and even took a board exam for it. However, Western medical doctors are not required to learn anything about other types of medicine while they are given a lot of authority over our bodies in healthcare settings. This gap in understanding could be the reason why these misconceptions come up.
Dr. Theresa Pulickal, Holistic PT San Diego, California
What Role Can Steaming Play In Modern Society
Julia believes “that vaginal steaming is radical gynecological care. It opens the way for folks to be connected to their womb cycles” She emphasizes the importance of “body literacy and learning to connect to Self” as a “powerful tool to remembering that no governing body truly governs your womb”. She also adds that “we’ve been so distanced from this connection and for generations a chasm has been created through dominating belief systems and patriarchal violence. When people begin to steam, or observe their menstrual blood or cervical fluid, it is a point of connection to their bodies.”
Témar says “My rights and care is my choice and I receive all of that with Vaginal Steaming, outside of Western Medicine, controlled government hands!” She encourages others to “seek your own solution” when they feel unheard.
Dr. Theresa says “steaming can empower people to be in charge of their healthcare. Steaming can play a role in exploring and knowing our own anatomy, to treat ourselves with herbal medicines, and to use our own intuition when making pelvic/vaginal health choices.”
There are more Western medical doctors and providers as of recently who do take the time to learn about traditional practices and support natural and more gentle forms of medicine like steaming and acupuncture. As many of us seek less invasive and earlier stage interventions, it can only positively influence our Western providers to also seek this knowledge.
Finding Connection In Our Steaming Practices
In the Steamy Chick community, many of us are experiential practitioners, as we were educated and trained at The Steamy Chick Institute through a certification process but there are many cultural practitioners out there too. Cultural practitioners are those who have had the knowledge and experience passed down to them. Many times in our Steamy Chick community we can hear stories of those who went through the certification process and later found out through asking family members that steaming was part of their lineage. What is sometimes difficult to reconcile is knowing that steaming practices can be traced back to every continent yet was lost in many of our lineages due to colonization and other systems of oppression.
Julia shares “My great grandmother in the Philippines was a manghilot, someone who helped heal ailments with massage, herbs, prayer and delivered babies. She also did suob for postpartum mothers, which is steaming and massage. I didn’t learn of this until after I started practicing steaming and doing further research with my family. So vaginal steaming is an ancestral practice for me.”
Dr. Theresa tells me her “grandparents were Holocaust survivors and my parents DP’s (Displaced People’s) and my grandmother was left alone as a baby. I can’t say I do have family knowledge of steaming however I do feel a connection to steaming and I am attempting to explore and strengthen a severed connection in the best way I know how.”
Because steaming existed all over the world, I hope this post encourages us all to search for our families’ stories.
How To Get In Touch
Julia Demillones Moore (she/her)
Montague, Massachusetts
Témar Marté, (she/her)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Dr. Theresa Pulickal, PT, DPT (she/her)
Board Certified Licensed Physical Therapist
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Learn more in my pre-recorded Vaginal Steaming FAQ’s class. You might also be interested in reading on the blog: 5 Things You Should Know About Vaginal Steaming
Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM, L.Ac. with the help of the contributors listed above, on August 11, 2022