5 Reasons Vaginal Steaming Might Be Good For You
What is Vaginal Steaming?
Vaginal, or more accurately, Pelvic Steaming is the use of steam with or without herbs to bring warmth and circulation to the pelvic region. Steam is a cleansing or draining process. It encourages unwanted fluids to pass more easily out. Because steam is warming it also increases circulation. When herbs are incorporated, the herbal steam is transported to the surface of the skin in the area and able to affect the tissues. Small capillaries from these tissues are able to absorb some of this steam through circulation bringing the properties of the herbs into deeper structures and tissues. The steam itself directly treats the skin, perineum, urethra, vulva, labia, vaginal opening, anal opening and lower digestive tract.
In Chinese Medicine, this area is also houses the first few points of the Ren and Du channels. The Ren channel is the sea of Yin and is an important part of your reproductive system as well the part of you that houses self-love and compassion. The Du channel is known as the sea of Yang, which is also a vital part of your reproductive ability as well as your nervous system. The Du channel is also representative of your independence and self-growth.
What Conditions is Pelvic Steaming Beneficial?
Vaginal steaming is beneficial for so many conditions. Listed here are my top five:
Period Cramps Whether you cramp before your period, at the start of your period or throughout, often times the cause for period cramps is stagnation. Stagnation can also be thought of as, poor circulation of either Qi or Blood or both. Qi stagnation is marked by feeling emotionally stuck, frustrated, sometimes angry. It often causes dull cramping. Blood stagnation comes with more severe and sharper cramping that might also cause your period flow to have clots, clumps or darker blood. Steaming can help to improve Qi and Blood circulation. Herbal formulas and steaming plans can be customized to your situation to help improve blood circulation and reduce pain.
Difficult PMS As mentioned above, Qi stagnation during the luteal phase of your cycle can cause you to have difficult PMS. Some of the common manifestations occur before the period as: depression or extreme mood changes, fatigue, breast tenderness, diffuse aches and pains that come and go, constipation or slower digestion.
Frequent Infections Vaginal infections can range from conditions like HPV, Herpes, BV or yeast infections. These conditions often manifest with pain, heat, inflammation and other unpleasant symptoms. These are tough conditions to deal with because many of the over the counter and prescribed medications and products are not very effective. Anti-viral herbs can be used to treat these conditions but your formulas and steam plans should tailored to your situation.
Irregular or Long Cycles A normal menstrual cycle is 28-31 days with a period of about 4 days. Cycles that don’t come very often and are difficult to track can cause fertility challenges later in life. It makes it difficult to know when you’re ovulating, if you’re ovulating, if you might be pregnant or if you’re period is just skipping this time around. Steaming at regular intervals can make your cycle more regular and predictable. This can also be hugely helpful for those who have periods very infrequently.
Perimenopause is a time when your hormones and body makes big changes. You can mark the start of perimenopause whenever you noticed major changes to your period and/or menstrual cycle. Perimenopause can last many years until you actually menopause. Some people notice hormonal changes that cause mood changes, sensitivity to temperature changes, sleep disturbances, dryer body constitution or hormonal shifts that begin to affect whole body systems like your blood sugar, cortisol and cholesterol. This is a good time to implement a steaming practice as certain herbs can help to balance your hormones and create an easier transition during this time.
You can learn more about research on vaginal steaming by visiting the Steamy Chick Institute research page.
Contraindications, Cautions and Considerations
Steaming should not be practiced if you are pregnant or during menstruation. Steaming is also not practiced during an active Herpes infection or during a vaginal infection that is marked by a burning sensation. Steaming is also forbidden after ovulation for those who are actively trying to conceive.
Caution and guidance should be considered for those who have spotting between periods, have very heavy periods or have cycles that are 27 days or less. In these situations, steaming could cause more unwanted bleeding.
Steam is hot! Just like when we handle hot water to make tea or soup, to bathe or shower, the temperature should be checked to prevent burns or scalds.
Please consult with an experienced herbalist and steam practitioner if you have medical conditions. This post is for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.
Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM
Photos by Chanel Govreau
You might also be interested in reading: What Is Your Period Trying To Tell You?, Pelvic Steaming Awareness, What Is a Pelvic Smoke Bath?
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