Full disclosure: I really like Groupon. It’s filled with offers on stuff and companies 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 effective print on that one.
You’ve most likely heard of vaginal steaming earlier than. It’s been round for hundreds of years. Extra lately, 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 on your vagina — you set 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 realm,” mentioned Heather Bartos, M.D., an OB-GYN and member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council.
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However like many issues on actuality TV, vaginal steaming is not what it appears. Right here’s what you could know earlier than you get that Groupon.
What’s vaginal steaming?
Vaginal steaming, additionally known as v-steaming and yoni steaming, includes 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 might provide vaginal steaming utilizing a particular seat with a gap within the center for the steam to come back by. 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 durations, ease interval cramps and improve fertility. Though there is no scientific proof to again up any of those claims.
What are the dangers of vaginal steaming?
“Steaming — because the identify suggests — may cause extreme burns and irritation to the vulva and vagina,” Bartos mentioned.
Past the potential for burns (which looks like sufficient to say arduous cross) the herbs may cause irritation and an infection. Bartos mentioned vagina steaming is principally a brilliant scorching model of a douche, which you shouldn’t do. (It may possibly upset the stability of micro organism in your vagina.)
Read: 15 Minutes With: Ashley Winter, M.D., Talks Urology, Sex and All Things Vaginas >>
Additionally, Bartos famous that vagina steaming perpetuates the parable that the vagina is soiled and wishes 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 realm is almost not possible,” 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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