7 Need-To-Know Q&As on Vaginal Steaming

There is no gold-standard research to support vaginal steaming treatments, but if you look just at the benefits of vaginal steaming externally, there may be some benefits.

The moist heat can help to increase blood flow since it promotes muscle relaxation, and will temporarily add hydration to the area as well.

When we ONLY look at the moist heat factor, it could be said that vaginal steaming could help with muscle tension due to childbirth or menstrual cramps, and how it can help with adding moisture to that area if you are breastfeeding or experiencing vaginal atrophy.

When it comes to the treatment of internal structures, such as your vaginal canal, cervix, or uterus, or the claims around fertility, there does not seem to be ample research or evidence to support vaginal steaming. It does not help the internal structures.

There are three major reasons for concern around vaginal steaming.

1. Sending hot steam, with herbs in it, directly towards your vagina is the first concern. You may have unknown sensitivities to these herbs, or one could easily make the steam too hot for these sensitive tissue areas.
2. Squatting is the next cause for concern for many people, and the other choice of sitting on a chair with a hole in it can actually cause more pelvic congestion because you are causing downward movement of the pelvic organs.
3. Finally, this is a gravity-dependent position, which causes increased blood flow to the rectum, perineum, and vagina. This will actually increase hemorrhoid symptoms, negatively affect healing following delivery, and in many cases can increase your pain.

Overall, I don’t see a true benefit to vaginal steaming and would not recommend this as part of a pelvic floor physical therapy or pelvic health treatment plan.

I can, however, get behind sitz baths. A sitz bath is usually slightly warm water with Epsom salts and just enough water to submerge the vagina. Epsom salts will also not damage the natural pH balance in the vaginal area, which is important to keep a healthy pelvic region.

If you are looking for products to help with relief, check out my moisturizing article to find products that will treat your specific concerns the best. These treatment options all have a great deal of research behind them for all of the above-mentioned concerns.

If you’d like to speak with me, Dr. Laura Meihofer, about any pelvic floor-related concerns you may have, you can book a FREE 20-minute consultation HERE.

Or, if you’d like to learn more about all things pelvic floor health, head over to Instagram! You can always reach out in the DM’s if you have any questions!

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• 4 Can’t Beat Products for Self Treatment of Your Pelvic Floor Tension
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• Vulvar Ice Application Benefits