Full disclosure: I like Groupon. It’s stuffed with offers on stuff and providers I by no means knew I wanted. A detoxing foot bathtub for $5? Sure, please! Half-off a pumpkin spice facial? Signal me up for that seasonal deal with. Purchase one, get one, vaginal steaming? Heck sure … I have to see the nice print on that one.
You’ve in all probability heard of vaginal steaming earlier than. It’s been round for hundreds of years. Extra not too long ago, celebrities like Chrissy Teigan have posted about it on social media. I keep in mind listening to about it on an episode of “The Kardashians.” “It’s so good in your vagina — you place roses and stuff in there,” Kourtney mentioned.
Roses? And stuff? In your vagina? “The attraction is that [people think] it ‘cleans it out’ and offers vitamins to the world,” mentioned Heather Bartos, M.D., an OB-GYN and member of HealthyWomen’s Ladies’s Well being Advisory Council.
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However like many issues on actuality TV, vaginal steaming is not what it appears. Right here’s what it is advisable to know earlier than you get that Groupon.
What’s vaginal steaming?
Vaginal steaming, additionally known as v-steaming and yoni steaming, entails sitting over a pot of scorching water that’s infused with herbs. A blanket or towel is positioned round your decrease physique to maintain the steam from escaping.
Spa-like services could provide vaginal steaming utilizing a particular seat with a gap within the center for the steam to return by means of. There are additionally DIY kits for at-home steamers.
What are the supposed vaginal steaming advantages?
As Bartos talked about, a part of the draw of vagina steaming is that it supposedly helps “clear” the vagina.
Vaginal steaming has additionally been mentioned to assist regulate intervals, ease interval cramps and improve fertility. Though there is not any scientific proof to again up any of those claims.
What are the dangers of vaginal steaming?
“Steaming — because the title suggests — could cause extreme burns and irritation to the vulva and vagina,” Bartos mentioned.
Past the potential for burns (which looks like sufficient to say onerous go) the herbs could cause irritation and an infection. Bartos mentioned vagina steaming is principally an excellent scorching model of a douche, which you shouldn’t do. (It will possibly upset the stability of micro organism in your vagina.)
Learn: 15 Minutes With: Ashley Winter, M.D., Talks Urology, Intercourse and All Issues Vaginas >>
Additionally, Bartos famous that vagina steaming perpetuates the parable that the vagina is soiled and desires cleansing — which isn’t true. “Your vagina is ideal the best way she is!”
Does vaginal steaming work?
Science says there aren’t any actual advantages to vaginal steaming. “The vagina doesn’t sit round ‘open,’ so getting vitamins into the world is almost inconceivable,” Bartos mentioned. “Nobody does rectal steaming.”
The vaginal steaming verdict: Save your cash — and your vagina. There are many different Groupons within the sea.
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