Vaginal steam baths are an ancient healing practice, used by cultures throughout the world, including the Mayan, Native American, Caribbean, African, and Asian cultures. Vaginal steams can be beneficial in treating a myriad of female menstrual and fertility issues as well as after childbirth to promote healing. Many common female conditions can arise from poor pelvic circulation, which can lead to pelvic stagnation affecting the menstrual cycle, fertility, libido, and overall pelvic health. The herbal vapors from the vaginal steams have healing medicinal properties. These herbs are chosen specifically for the individual or the condition being treated. Steams can last up to 20 minutes and are typically very relaxing. Steams are intended to be an adjunct therapy for healing, with nutritional, herb, and supplement guidance, and Maya abdominal massage.
Benefits of Vaginal Steams include:
Increases circulation to the vaginal tissues and pelvic floor
Improves menstrual flow, clearing congested blood
Helps regulate periods
Decreases period cramping
Helps conditions such as endometriosis, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse. The steams can increase cervical fluid, relax the vaginal canal and cervix, nourishes and tones the uterine lining, and increases the effectiveness of IUI, IVF, and donor cycles.
Do not steam while you are on your menstrual cycle or post ovulation if you are trying to conceive naturally. Do not steam during an acute infection or during the presence of vaginal sores or blisters.
Vaginal Steams (V-Steams)
Element currently carries 4 premade Vaginal Steams ready for pick-up.
Custom tailored steams are available by appointment. Please book an herbal consult with our experienced v-steam specialist for a custom tailored steam.
Yeast-Be-Gone
Ingredients: wormwood, mugwort, basil, oregano, calendula, rosemary, motherwort, yarrow
Fertil-Aid
Ingredients: damiana, motherwort, rosemary, lavender, red clover, mugwort
Women’s Wellness
Ingredients: lavender, mugwort, basil, motherwort, damiana, red clover
Prime Hydration
Ingredients: mugwort, lavender, calendula, damiana, rosemary, motherwort, chamomile
Directions for Vaginal Steam:
1. Add 1 cup of herbs to 8 cups of boiling water.
2. Allow herbs and water to gently boil for 5 minutes with the lid on.
3. Turn off the stove, let the herbs steep in the water for 10 minutes with the lid on.
If you don’t have a special stool specifically for steaming (with a hole in the middle), you can steam by placing a bowl in the toilet and sitting on the seat, by squatting over a bowl in the bathtub, or by finding another comfortable way to squat safely over the herbs.
For steaming on the toilet (most people find this option the easiest and most relaxing),
4. Transfer the liquid that was just boiled into a bowl and place the bowl in the toilet bowl. The “herb” bowl should be high enough so that the water in the toilet bowl does not enter into the “herb” bowl.
5. First feel the vapor and heat with the inside of your forearm to ensure the steam is not too hot.
6. Be very careful of the heat when initially sitting on the toilet seat (do not wear underwear). The vapors should not burn you but feel warm and comfortable. If it’s too hot, let the herbs cool down a bit before you sit.
7. Cover a towel or blanket around you as you sit to keep the steam in. You can relax and meditate or read a book.
8. Allow the vapors to steam the vaginal area for 20 minutes.
If you steam in the bathtub,
4. Transfer the liquid into another container or bowl. Please be very careful not to burn yourself.
5. It works best if you wear a long skirt or use a big towel or blanket and sit at the edge of the tub covering your skirt over the pot and the vapors making sure not to let any escape.
6. Allow the vapors to steam the vaginal area for 20 minutes.
When to Steam:
For preventative care, steam one week before the first day of your period.
For cysts, pelvic pain, fibroids, endometriosis, steam 2-4 times a week.
After a DNC or miscarriage, wait three weeks. Ensure there is no infection prior to steaming.
Post vaginal delivery, wait 6-8 weeks or after bleeding stops. Ensure there is no infection.
Special Notes:
Test the temperature of the steam before sitting above it.
Vaginal steams can affect a cycle and may temporarily make the flow heavier with darker fluid and fibrous tissue or clotting.
Steam Instructions for IUI, IVF, and Donor Cycles (as per CNY Fertility Center).
If you are in a natural cycle, steam once within a few days after your period, and then once just before ovulation but before intercourse (we don’t want to heat up the sperm).
If you are taking Clomid, steam once when you first start your Clomid medication, and then once just before ovulation but before intercourse/ IUI. A side effect of Clomid may be a decrease in cervical mucous. The steam will help increase this mucous.
If you are doing an injectable IUI cycle, steam once when you first begin your stimulation drugs, and then once in the morning before your IUI procedure. Steaming before your IUI procedure helps to liquify the cervical mucous and creates a lubricated path for the insertion of the catheter through the cervix.
If you are doing an IVF cycle, steam once when you first begin your stimulation drugs, and then once in the morning before your transfer. Steaming before your transfer procedure helps to create a lubricated path for the insertion of the catheter through the cervix.
If you are doing a donor egg cycle, steam once while your donor is stimulating and then once in the morning before your transfer.
For more information, stop by, call, or email us at Info@elementhealing.com or contact me directly at christina@elementhealing.com.