The morning after my latest speaking presentation at Womanition’s BizBrigade, I was having coffee with a friend of mine who had come to see me from out of town. We were talking about yoni steaming and it occurred to me that when the average woman goes to Dr. Google, she may find herself reading propaganda of why she shouldn’t use vaginal steam. In this month’s blog, I would like to address – and bust – three popular arguments against vaginal steam.
The following is excerpted from Steamy Chick who interviewed an OB/GYN that regularly uses vaginal steam in her clinic. I will provide a link at the end for you to read the entire article if you wish (she busts the top 8 arguments against vaginal steaming!).
Dr. Laurena White is an OB/GYN with a specialization in reproductive endocrinology and acupuncture. Founder of the Eudamonia Center her clinic is like no other. It includes a massage therapist, doula, physical therapist, nutritionist, yoga instructor and even a vaginal steam facilitator on staff. On the topic of vaginal steaming, Dr. White not only does the practice herself but she also commonly includes it in her patients’ treatment plans. Curious as to how Dr. White addresses negative media articles that often circulate about vaginal steaming, I asked for her response on the top arguments against vaginal steaming. Below are her answers.
Argument #1: People Shouldn’t Steam Because it Can Burn
“That is true. Steam can burn. If you’re not properly trained to work with steam even in your kitchen it can burn your face or hands. That’s why you need to have an adequately trained, certified, vaginal steam facilitator who is aware of temperature controls, who has a system in place to monitor temperature, just like you would monitor temperature on your kitchen stove. You don’t leave your stove unattended when you’re boiling water or preparing things. You take very high consideration in terms of what you’re cooking, what you’re working with, and the timing of it. Having someone who is very aware of those same things when you’re steaming, avoids the opportunity for you to get burned — just like it would be in the kitchen.”
Argument #5: The Uterus is Self-Cleansing so There Is No Reason to Steam
“The uterus and the vagina are self cleansing when they’re operating optimally. But if there’s any type of malfunction or dysfunction in the cycle — clotting, brown blood — then your uterus and your vagina are not functioning optimally. The object is to get your vagina and uterus to optimal health and wellness. To do that you are facilitating the process to get them to that point. However if your vagina and your uterus are functioning optimally, you don’t need any of these things. But there are so many uteruses that are not healthy.”
My own insert here: Similar to the uterus, the bowel is also a self-cleansing organ yet there are many people who suffer from constipation on a regular basis. Just as we can help the bowel by eating more fiber, drinking more water, using enzymes, essential oils, and sometimes even laxatives, an outside practice such as yoni steaming can help the uterus return to proper function.
Argument #7: Vaginal Steaming Disrupts Healthy Flora and Can Cause Infections or a pH Imbalance
“That is a possibility if you’re steaming yourself and don’t know what herbs you’re using and you are steaming too long — all those things are possible and true. However, that’s why you need to steam with someone who is certified and trained. When looking for a doctor you don’t just go to anyone or decide to treat yourself. You look for someone whose been educated as a doctor and who is board-certified and licensed. It’s the same thing with the vaginal steam. Yes, you can steam yourself, it’s just not a good idea.
One, take the opportunity to let someone take care of you. Like, think about that. Let someone take care of you for thirty-five minutes to an hour, so you can enjoy the experience, so you’re not having to worry about the temperature, the time, the right herbs. Let someone who’s been trained to do this, do this for you.
All those risks can and will happen when you’re operating outside of a trained professional — because not every herb is for every single condition. If you’re using the wrong herbs for wrong conditions, yes, you can disrupt, damage, the physiologically normal, protective flora in your vagina. Temperature and length of time is also really important. You don’t want it to be too hot, you want it to be comfortable. So when you’re using the incorrect herbs, for the wrong period of time all these things factor into this process. Steam is a healing modality, and, as such, should be respected and conducted and performed by a certified professional.
Speaking of damaging flora we have to talk about doctor-prescribed antibiotics. We have scientific proof that that’s what is harming the vaginal flora and creating resistance to BV. I think it’s a catch-22 because yes, you are killing the bad germs, but part of antibiotics is that you’re also killing some of that good stuff. Literally, with vaginal steaming, it’s water that is infused with herbs. That’s why selection of herbs is so important, because some herbs are meant to treat bacteria, some herbs are meant to treat viral infections, some herbs are meant to do a combination of the two. And dosing is important. I mean, there’s just so many different layers to this that it’s necessary that you have a professional because not every steam is meant for every body. Two people could both have BV but there could be other factors that go along with it that require that they have different herbs and steam setups.”
Read the full article here.
Blessings to you as you remember your strength, beauty, and inner light.
Meriah Theresa