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Vaginal steaming, yoni steaming, womb steaming, or “v-steaming” for short, is a time-honored self-care practice that has been passed down through generations of women in various cultures all over the world, likely for many thousands of years.^{1, 2, 3} It is now gaining interest in contemporary culture. It is a calming, rejuvenating, and meditative practice that fosters a deeper, more aware relationship between a woman and the most intimate, sensitive, life-giving parts of her body.

The process involves sitting or squatting over a pot of steaming water, typically infused with organic herbs. The moist heat brings warmth and encourages relaxation, while the steam also carries the essences of the herbs.

We are now experiencing a v-steam renaissance, as more and more women are discovering and sharing how they use vaginal steaming to improve their lives today.

Vaginal steaming is an extension of the basic concept of paying attention to and loving the vagina and womb space. It is an opportunity to open ourselves up (both physically and emotionally) and allow soothing and comfort into an otherwise tightly guarded space. The feeling of warm, aromatic steam on the vagina can be calming, exciting, rejuvenating, or cleansing. We like to think of it as simple yet beautiful way to honor and care for the most vulnerable and sensitive part of our bodies.

Beyond this value as an elemental self-care ritual, there are a few other major reasons why more women are vaginal steaming every day. These include:

Physical warmth: The thermo-therapeutic effect of bringing warmth to the vagina can feel comforting and relaxing.

Postpartum care: In addition to being the subject of a recent innovative research study, this is the most well-documented historical reason for vaginal steaming.

General cleansing: Many women report that vaginal steaming helps clear out excess matter from the uterus and vaginal canal.

Preparing for pregnancy: Many women, herbal practitioners, and doctors are using and recommending vaginal steaming as part of an integrative approach to cleanse and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.

Transitioning into menopause and beyond: V-steaming experts and individual women are reporting on the positive effects of vaginal steaming during this phase of womanhood.

We are sharing the stories and experiences of experts and v-steaming women around the globe so that others can take them into account and find their own reasons to steam.

Vaginal steaming is a practice for ALL women, as long as you don’t fall into one of the categories outlined in the “Who should NOT receive vaginal steaming?”. It is an especially valuable practice if you identify with any of the following:

• You are looking for better self-care options for your vagina
• You want to develop and maintain a positive, conscious relationship with your womb space and vagina
• You’re trying to get pregnant
• You feel disconnected from your femininity, your sexuality, or your creativity
• You are approaching or going through menopause
• You enjoy yoga and meditation
• You just want to feel pleasurable sensations on your body
• You are postpartum (you recently had a baby)
• You feel like your uterus might have excess menstrual lining that could benefit from cleansing

You should NOT v-steam if:

• You are pregnant or think you are pregnant
• you have an IUD please read how long should I steam for?
• You are having your period (i.e. menstruating/bleeding)
• You are trying to get pregnant and have already ovulated but not yet had your period this month
• You have an open wound in your pelvic area
• You have genital piercings in (always remove any genital accoutrements before steaming)
• You have NOT started your menstruation

If you are an adult, no. You can v-steam in your own home, on your own terms. However, the guidance of an experienced friend, vaginal steam practitioner, or guided audio meditation can certainly be helpful. We also provide a free animated guide with tips on how to steam at home using Your Yoni Retreat or traditional methods. Since the Retreat has a huge focus on young Goddess their will be supervision during their v-steaming session.

There is no “official” age range for vaginal steaming. As a rule, and safety precaution, anyone under the age of 18 should only steam with adult supervision.

In some traditions, as a rite of passage, mothers or other elder female caretakers will offer a vaginal steam to young women after completing their first menstruation. There is no maximum age range, and many women continue to steam well into post-menopausal years. In the Indonesian bakera tradition, vaginal steams are also specifically prepared for elderly women.

Yes, just do your research before selecting your herbs! Your Yoni Retreat offers all organic blends for vaginal steaming, but the possibilities for different herb combinations are virtually endless.

Different regional traditions also use different local herbs for steaming, and different herbs have different purposes. Consult with your local herbalist or expert practitioner to learn more or find a custom blend that is right for you. If you are going to source your own herbs, make sure they are organic, and ideally wild-crafted and solar dried for maximum benefit.

This depends on so many different factors. Every woman has a different body, different cycle, and different reasons for steaming.

First and foremost, listen to your body! Vaginal steaming feels good and really relaxing when done correctly. Typical steam sessions last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, but you can steam for as short a time as you like. Most traditions and practitioners do not recommend going longer than 30 minutes at a time. You may also want to build up your comfort level, starting with a shorter session and gradually increasing your steaming time with subsequent sessions. If you have an IUD it’s recommended to ONLY steam for 20 minutes.

The bottom line is to be gentle with yourself. There is no rush—just ease into it and listen to your body.

Vaginal steaming is a simple, gentle, and beautiful self-care practice that any adult woman can enjoy the benefits of–as long as you are not in the “Who should NOT receive a v-steam?” category above. If you are healthy and of sound mind and body, you can decide on your own if steaming feels right for you.

However, we do not recommend vaginal steaming as an alternative to seeking qualified care for any type of medical condition. If this is the case for you, consult your doctor or otherwise qualified health professional for advice.

The feeling of aromatic warm steam gently swirling up to caress your vaginal tissue can be many things, both physical and emotional—warming, soothing, opening, exciting, rejuvenating, cleansing, meditative …. Every steam is an opportunity to explore and improve your relationship with the most intimate parts of yourself, and every feeling you have during a vaginal steam is valid. Many women describe a physical “softening” feeling of the vagina. Vaginal steaming is a very sensual, personal, and intimate experience. Give it a try and let us know how you would describe it.

You may also want to build up your comfort level, starting with a shorter session and gradually increasing your steaming time with subsequent sessions. If you have an IUD it’s recommended to ONLY steam for 20 minutes.