Vagina steaming

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Against allopathy
Alternative medicine
link=:category:
Clinically unproven
Woo-meisters
I suppose this whole ... "vaginal" steam bath is just something that we nasty, allopathic “Western” doctors just don’t understand. To us, it's just shooting a bunch of steam up a woman's nether regions. To the woo-meisters, though, it’s not just steam that’s being forced to go places where usually only spouses, lovers, or gynecologists go. Oh, no. It’s super special, extra powerful herbal detox steam, which means that it has super duper magical powers.
—Orac[1]

Vaginal steaming (also known as chai-yok[1][2][3], yoni steam baths[4][5], or bajos[2]) is the practice of directing steam, often infused with herbs, into one's vagina, for the purposes of douching. A significant amount of woo surrounds the practice, with proponents arguing that vaginal steaming cures innumerable problems.

How can I get steamy?

No, really, can't a lady just take a hot shower with a removable shower head and spray where she needs? Much more economical, and probably comfortable.
—Amy[1]

First, a covered pot is filled with water. Any desired plants are added to the pot, potentially including rosemary, mugwort, motherwort, yarrow, partridge berry, calendula, lavender, rose petals,[5] oregano, basil, and/or marigold.[4] The pot is heated until the water boils.

Second, the pot is placed under a seat which allows the steam to rise into the vagina, such as a chair with slits or a toilet. The women removes any clothing between the vagina and the seat and sits on the seat. The woman covers herself with a blanket from the waist down to prevent the steam from escaping. The woman sits there, for about an hour, and is finished.[4]

Purported benefits

There is absolutely no way this has any significant health benefit. The illusion that any hot air infused with some herbal spice would penetrate the vaginal barriers of your body and improve fertility, regulate hormones does not hold any water with me.
—Dr. Manny Alvarez[6]

It must be noted that no medical studies have been done on the efficacy of vaginal steaming, which makes all evidence for these claims anecdotal at best. Many of the claims are within the bounds of a regression to the mean, and whether or not this is what occurred is impossible to tell without controlled trials.

It must also be noted that almost all of the sources reporting the effects of vaginal steaming are practitioners of it, which leads to a conflict of interests and may lead to false, exaggerated, and/or selective reporting.

Is traditional/exotic medicine

Exactly the same "squat over herbal steam" treatments are recommended in a couple of Anglo-Saxon medical manuscripts (can’t remember the exact herbs), but as we know, it only works if it comes from somewhere we can apply a bit of colonial orientalism to.
—Marge[1]

Some proponents have noted that vaginal steaming is an "old, respected treatment for women".[5] Of course, the medical lifetime of a practice has nothing to do with its efficacy. The only reason to add statements like these is to attempt to woo one's customers by claiming that one's product is the sage wisdom of past generations.

Some proponents have noted that vaginal steaming is a traditional Mayan and/or Korean treatments.[4][5] Of course, again, this has no bearing on vaginal steaming's efficacy. Instead, it is, again, merely a way of drawing in customers.

Cleans the uterus

Almost all proponents argue that vaginal steaming, in some way, cleans the uterus.[7] This makes sense, because vaginal steaming is fundamentally the same as douching, which attempts (and largely fails) to clean out the uterus. Many women falsely believe that douching effectively cleans the uterus, even though they personally have douched;[8][9] it's probable that many women incorrectly believe that vaginal steaming has the same benefits. When proponents argue that vaginal steaming removes "toxins", but, like most proponent, do not list which "toxins" are removed, then it's reasonable to assume that the term is a catch-all for "gross stuff in my genitals" rather than anything meaningful.

Aids fertility

Some proponents argue that vaginal steaming helps increase female fertility. The only evidence for this is that Niki Han Schwarz, the 45-year-old owner of a vaginal steaming spa, was purportedly unable to become pregnant after “trying for three years” and then became pregnant after vaginally steaming.[7][10] Unfortunately for proponents, this evidence not only has a clear conflict of interest and can be explained entirely by her regression to the mean of being able to become pregnant, but omits major details, like how she was trying to become pregnant, which could negate any impact of vaginal steaming; for example, fertility treatments tend to make people fertile. The evidence behind this claim is about as anecdotal as it gets.

Interestingly, the same "steamed genitals" treatment is proffered for males as an aid to fertility. However, warming the testicles actually inhibits sperm production, which kind of hurts fertility.[1]

Prevents vaginal/yeast infections

Some proponents argue that vaginal steaming reduces the risk of vaginal and yeast infections.[5] In fact, this is exactly the opposite of what happens.

Helps relaxation

Some proponents argue that vaginal steaming is relaxing, because one must sit still for almost an hour and because it's at the spa. While this may be true, it's probably a better idea to pursue a relaxing, motionless spa visit that doesn’t risk vaginal burns and infections. But hey, it's your genitals.

Potential harms

Causes infections

Vaginal steaming is ultimately a form of douching the vagina. Douching inherently increases the risk of vaginal and pelvic infection; furthermore, because the vaginal mucosa is highly absorptive, whatever gets shot up there is likely to enter the entire body.[8][9] This is especially true for vaginal steaming, which may occur in public spas with less-than-sterile seating arrangements; furthermore, this is also especially true for yeast, which loves the warm, moist environment that steam provides.[2] Just remember, kids – diseases are ‘’all natural’’, so it’s entirely fine to have one or two!

Causes steam burns

Vaginal steaming forcing steam onto and into the body. Steam, just like boiling water, can cause burns; in fact, steam burns are far worse than burns from boiling water.[11][12] Burning oneself is always lovely; burning one's vagina can be slightly more so.

Practitioners of vaginal steam baths tend to allow the boiled water to cool first in order to attempt to avoid steam burns and lawsuits.[4] This helps prevent burns and changes the process from vaginal steaming to placing-one's-vagina-over-hot-water-ing.

Causes vaginal irritation

Even if vaginal steaming does not cause burns, it certainly has the potential to cause vaginal irritation. This may occur through adverse reactions to the herbs used or merely through the act of pushing heated water into the vagina and uterus.[6] While inflamed genitals may not seem so bad, if there is a precancerous condition in the vagina, then vaginal irritation may exacerbate the condition.[6]

Causes contraction of the purse

Make it easy! Try a Yoni Steam blend.
—Rosita Arvigo, shamelessly inserting advertisements into her articles [4]

Spas that offer vaginal steaming services tend to have prices that range from about $25 to about $75. Considering that this service is the equivalent of (1) boiling water and (2) letting somebody sit over it for an hour, this is a pretty nice way (1) for spas to make money and (2) for customers to lose it. If you wish to try vaginal steaming, please try it at home first.

Quotes

Apparently some people think shooting steam up one's vagina is funny. We serious people at RationalWiki have no such inclinations, and merely include said humor for your own perusal.

I actually snorted when I read, At Daengki Spa in Koreatown, a 45-minute V-Herbal Therapy treatment can be had for $20 a squat. .... I don't intend to ever purchase anything that is sold by the "squat". - Jojo[1]

@Jojo – would it better if they said $20 a crack? - Militant Agnostic[1]

Okay, a steam room is relaxing, so I can see that[.] ... Hot water, steam AND antibiotics can contribute to massive yeast infections, so on that count NO. To all those people hoping to relax: go find yourself a furry animal to pet*.
*interpret as you wish - LovleAnjel[1]

I believe the Hoover SteamVac will soon have an attachment for this. Can't wait to see the tv commercials. - swordfish[1]

well, i've heard the phrase ... "that's one steaming vajajay ... you've got there baby!", but not in the context of korean herbal medicine. - hawaiiguy[1]

so chai-yok translates to steamed clams? - Alan Y.[3]

I lost my train of thought. Or rather, I lost my thought in the beaver mist. - Mariela D.[3]

If I squat over my Top Ramen, will it have the same effect?? - Mariela D.[3]

It's like Jesus is blowing softly on your hoo-hah... Cures the AIDS! - L L.[3]

Vaginal Steaming: Just a Bunch of Hot Air? - Fox News[6]

See also

  • Acupuncture, another mystic Asian treatment said to increase fertility
  • Cancer, the surprise gift that vaginal steaming may give you
  • Homeopathy, another kind of magical water with even less efficacy

Footnotes