I’ve tried Kegels, laser hair removal, and even indulged in a vibrator or two. There’s not much I wouldn’t do for my vagina—including steaming it.
You might have thought steaming was just for brewing tea or cooking vegetables, but it turns out there’s a whole world of steam beyond the kitchen! Vaginal steaming, often referred to as V-Steam, claims to enhance fertility, alleviate cramps, detoxify, improve lubrication, and freshen up the vagina overall. Personally, my vagina has been doing just fine—never had a yeast infection, so why mess with a good thing?
This practice, rooted in Korean tradition, has gained traction in recent years, largely thanks to celebrity trendsetter Gwyneth Paltrow. She’s embraced various wellness fads, leaving the rest of us scrambling to keep up. Just when I finally decided to try laser hair removal, Gwyneth went back to au naturel. The audacity!
Raised by pragmatic, science-minded parents, I was taught to be skeptical about anything that lacks substantial evidence. Thus, I approached vaginal steaming with caution, likening its credibility to dubious practices like colon cleansing.
To get a professional opinion, I reached out to my OB-GYN friend, who chuckled at the idea of vaginal steaming. “Are you serious? This is a thing?” she asked. I confirmed it was, and she warned, “It could disrupt the natural bacteria in your vagina. That’s why doctors advise against douching.”
With science on shaky ground, I thought perhaps the experience would be relaxing—similar to enjoying a face mask or a nice glass of wine. So, I decided to conduct my own at-home experiment.
In New York City, a spa offers vaginal steaming for $75, which can be quite prohibitive for many women. So I took matters into my own hands. Embracing my inner Laura Ingalls Wilder, I searched for “DIY Vaginal Steam” and stumbled upon instructions on the Yinova Center’s website.
A V-Steam typically involves herbs; I rummaged through my spice cabinet to see what I could find. Chili flakes? Definitely not. Oregano? Too reminiscent of pizza. While I would have loved some lavender, I opted for fresh thyme and rosemary from my fridge.
Traditional vaginal steaming requires a slatted chair with a hole for steam to rise. Lacking such a contraption, I instead used a pot with handles and placed it on the toilet lid. After boiling the water, I let it cool for about 10 minutes to avoid burns. I poured the water into my pot and gingerly sat down, attempting to visualize my “yoni” opening like a blossoming flower, welcoming the steam for a rejuvenating experience.
However, my yoni had other ideas. Within minutes, the steam felt painfully hot. “Gwyneth Paltrow, what have you done?” I cursed silently, wondering if she promoted this to make the rest of us feel inadequate about our grooming habits.
Determined to see it through, I wrapped a towel around the pot to shield myself from the heat, hoping no one would think I was engaging in some bizarre ritual. To distract myself, I read a magazine and clipped my nails while taking breaks from the steam every few minutes. After what felt like an eternity, I finally stood up, surprised to find moisture running down my leg—was it sweat or had I actually peed myself? Of course, it was just the aftermath of my steam session.
As I stood there, pants-less and reflecting on the last half hour, I realized my vagina is perfectly fine as it is. She’s healthy and functioning well, so steaming seems unnecessary. Instead of feeling relaxed, I felt a burning sensation. While I’m up for trying various beauty treatments (I do monthly acid peels), V-Steam provided no tangible benefits. If you’ve ever dreamt of squatting over a pot of boiling water without pants, then this might be your thing. Otherwise, there’s no need to venture down this path (at least I got my nails done).
If I wanted to freshen up, I’d rather stick to basic hygiene—perhaps a quick shower would suffice. Maybe Gwyneth has a superhuman vagina that can withstand the heat, or perhaps a spa experience would have been more relaxing. For now, I’ll leave the steaming to my vegetables.
For those interested in home insemination, it’s worth checking out our post on baby maker home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo. Additionally, you can find more about fertility at Dr. Sarah Bennett, a leading fertility expert, and for comprehensive information on pregnancy, visit Women’s Health.
In summary, my experience with vaginal steaming was far from what I expected. Instead of relaxation, it left me questioning the necessity of such a treatment, reaffirming that my vagina is already in great shape.