But what is it really?
And is it even beneficial ormore importantlysafe?
What exactly is vaginal steaming?
The water typically contains herbs that are purported to have dramatic health benefits.
The most common are mugwort, wormwood, and rosemary.
Mugwort specifically is suggested to have healing properties for women withirregular periods or menstrual problems.
Certainspasoffer 30-minute vaginal steams on their menu of services.
The steams can also be done at home, for anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.
But that may be where the health benefits stop when it comes to this wellness trend.
As mentioned above, the most common seems to be mugwort.
Does it really work?
Here’s what the OB/GYNs had to say.
So according to Trubow, vaginal steaming for cleansing purposes is simply unnecessary.
Are there any safety concerns?
The most obvious safety concern is the risk of burns.
Trubow reminds us that “the effects of a bad vaginal burn can be devastating.”
If done at home, the possibility of burns is much higher.
This can lead to general irritation, but more serious side effects include infections like bacterial vaginosis.
It may also increase vaginal dryness in menopausal and perimenopausal women.
Are there better ways to get some of the supposed benefits of vaginal steaming?
And according to the professionals, the risks may outweigh the potential benefits.
