FAQ

+ What is yoni steaming?

Head over to What is Yoni Steaming or keep reading to see if your question is answered in this extensive list. Feel free to reach out if you have something not covered here.

+ Is a yoni steam the same as a vaginal steam?

Yes, you may see various terms being used to refer to the practice

• Vaginal Steam
• Yoni Steam
• V Steam
• Bajos (Central America)
• Chai Yok (Korea)
• Vagisteam
• Peristeam
• Peristeam Hydrotherapy
• Pelvic Steam Bath
• Pelvic Herbal Steam
• Vagacial

They’re all practically the same thing, although there are various different methods of the practice depending on the culture, lineage and part of the world that that form of vaginal steaming came from.

+ What does 'yoni' mean?

Yoni literally means sacred, holy space. It is an ancient Sanskrit word that covers the breadth of the female anatomy; the vagina, womb, and ‘origin of life’. It also recognises the whole of the pelvic region for its greater spiritual significance as the term is a symbol of the Goddess Devi, the Divine Mother in Hinduism.

womb.love uses the term 'yoni' for that reason - as it refere to the whole of your inner temple and holds within it the source of your essence and power.

+ Who would benefit from a yoni steam?

Yoni Steaming is a warm and soothing treatment that is beneficial to many women, whether she is suffering from women’s health issues or not. It serves a dual purpose of being a preventative treatment measure and a nourishing self care treatment that assists the woman to deeply relax and let go of built up anxiety in her system. Women that experience the following are likely to experience changes from practicing yoni steaming.

• Stress and tension in the lower abdomen and sacrum
• Vaginal or ovarian cysts
• Fibroids
• Post Natal tears and scars
• Infections
• Hysterectomies
• Laparoscopies
• Endometriosis
• Painful or irregular menstrual cycles

+ When is not a good time to steam?

Yoni steaming is not for:

• Pregnant women or those that could be
• During menstruation
• Heavy bleeds (this would need to be looked at and addressed prior to steaming)
• Women with an internal/ active infection
• Women with open sores
• After ovulation if trying to conceive
• It’s generally advised for women with an IUD not to steam (contrary information)
• Those that struggle with accepting holistic healing methods

+ I want to know more, how do I bring this into my life?

1. Clue yourself up on the ins and outs of the practice through reading these FAQs and the What is Yoni Steaming page, making sure to check that you're clear to steam. If you have further queries and would like a consultation before you begin, contact raya@womb.love.
2. Get all of your supplies, pop on over to the shop
3. Book in for a 1:1 Initiation Ceremony with me via Individual Yoni Steam Ceremony
4. Visit the At-Home Ritual Guide page for the complete download on everything you need to know about steaming at home.

+ How often shall I do it?

It is completely up to you! Some women choose to do it as a weekly self care practice, before and a few days after their bleed, some women choose to steam at a particular place in their cycle that they feel is most supportive for them, some women choose to do it every so often for their self care. I encourage you to have a play around with different times of the month and see what works and feels right for you. If you have a specific issue that you'd like to treat using this process, do get in touch via raya@womb.love

+ What differences will I notice after steaming?

Physical response: It is likely you will feel more relaxed, revitalised and replenished after a steam session. You can sometimes feel some slight cramping afterwards -this is normal and a part of your uterus and connected organs responding to the cleansing and balancing qualities of the herbs.

Emotional response: You may feel things working differently within your energy field, notice emotions arising over the hours and days that follow. You may feel like you are detoxing and letting go, leading you to reflect and relearn the wisdom your body is showing you. I advise you to continue to take it easy and drink lots of water.

+ What changes happen?

This largely depends on the individual and your intention behind wanting to yoni steam. If you are still having a cycle, you are likely to experience changes in your menstrual cycle. It’s common for the uterus to keep hold of lining from recent periods and periods from times before for a multitude of reasons. Yoni Steaming, with the heat and the herbs, will support the uterus to dislodge this excess matter. This could mean that the next bleed is heavier or longer. Over time you should begin to notice things balancing out and your bleed gradually becoming more manageable (less pain free and lighter).

+ How does it actually work?

First and foremost, warmth is essential for uterus to feel nourished, balanced and healthy. The warmth alone relaxes the uterus and in turn the nervous system, this already begins the process of unravelling and releasing stress. Our emotional and physical bodies are inextricably linked, and so they both work hand in hand during the process of steaming.

On a physical level: when the plant matter - the flowers, petals, stalks, seeds, herbs, roots, barks is heated, they release volatile/essential oils. The absorbent tissue of the vulva and vagina receives the medicinal qualities of the herbs, the pelvic muscles relax, and the heat is carried up towards the cervix and the womb. The steam increases circulation in the whole of the area and send the essential oils wherever they need to go. The best analogy I can compare it to is the way that you steam your nose and sinuses for a head cold, circulation supports the dislodging of stuck matter and the qualities of the oils/herbs you use replenish and revitalise the blood.

The womb carries our emotions, our creativity, our sense of security and belonging to life and our pure feminine essence. In many ways our wombs become stagnant, blocked and numb to recognising and feeling these things. Steaming can actively help with releasing past traumas and laying the foundations for new seeds to grow.

+ Can I use essential oils?

NO! Essential oils are not recommended with steaming. They are too strong for the delicate vulva tissue, and when combined with heat would too intense for a yoni steam. Use only fresh and dried flowers/herbs for steaming.

+ I noticed residue after yoni steaming - is this normal?

For many women, the uterus will not entirely shed every cycle, creating a build up over time. The herbs used in yoni steaming will support with the shedding of the build up, therefore you may see ‘bleeding’ or some kind of matter coming out. This is a sign that the yoni steam is working and is a part of your body rebalancing itself!

+ I felt cramps after yoni steaming, why?

The herbs used in a yoni steam are cleansing, stimulating, tonifying and relaxing. All of these actions will have an affect on your pelvic muscles and organs. This is a sign that your uterine wall is contracting and trying to shift what is being loosened (the stuck material). This is all part of the rebalancing, and whilst it may be uncomfortable for a short while, you should begin to notice that your cycles are less painful and even pleasurable over time.

+ How do I use steaming for my specific situation?

• Post Partum
• Uterine Fibroids
• Hysterectomy
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Bladder infection
• Yeast infection
• Increase libido
• Releasing emotional wounds

Please get in touch to discuss a protocol that works for you and your specific concern.

+ How does steaming affect my cycle?

After steaming for the first time you may notice changes with your bleed - it could be that your next menstruation will be heavier and darker, but this is just a sign that things are shifting and detoxing, it doesn’t last. Within a couple of months, your menstruation should be easier, lighter and pinker in color. Discomfort associated with menstruation will be reduced.

+ I thought that the vagina cleans itself?

Yes, it does. When referring to the term ‘cleansing’, this is not to be confused with ‘cleaning’. The purpose of a Yoni Steam is NOT to clean your vagina and vulva - this is seen to in your daily hygiene routine. Just like the rest of your intelligent body, your vagina has its own system of self cleaning and managing its PH levels and has a delicate flora that is not to be disturbed with.

A vaginal steam is a therapeutic way to administer the herbs to your body. Just like you might steam your face to open the pores,thin the mucus in your sinuses, shed build-up, tone and bring vitality, vaginal steaming works just the same, but for your lady parts.

+ Why can’t I do it if I have an IUD?

There are two schools of thought on this one. The heat and the medicinal qualities of a yoni steam are intended to create a contraction in the uterus. There is a risk that this contraction could dislodge the IUD or the heating up of it could cause a burn. However, some practitioner declare they have not discovered any cases of this happening. womb.love’s advice would be to do this at your own risk, and that, as this is widely conveyed as a risk amongst many yoni steam practitioners and guides, we are more drawn towards advising against steaming with an IUD. Again, it’s down to your intuition!

+ Why can’t I do it when I’m menstruating?

Menstruation is a process of cleansing, clearing and letting go. The energy is moving downwards and out and back to the Earth. Yoni steaming is all about inviting the steam upwards and the qualities of the steam cause the walls of the uterus to contract, shed, and let go. Steaming whilst bleeding could cause it to become heavier. It’s best to look forward to steaming in the days after you have completely stopped bleeding as an act of self care and rejuvenation when the uterus is relaxed.

+ Why I can't I do it when I'm pregnant?

The uterus is housing a baby and nothing must interfere with this. The uterus is working away keeping baby held and healthy. Yoni steams are intended to cleanse and tonify the uterus, which can trigger contraction. For obvious reasons, it’s important to keep everything held in during this time. Herbal medicine usage during pregnancy are different for different women. It’s simply too much of a risk dabbling in whilst pregnant.

+I’ve heard that steaming can be used to bring on labour?

There are some traditions and cultures that use steaming as a method to induce labour. I would not recommend you to try this at home, however, you could reach out to natural birth workers that are familiar with this method to supervise you with the practice and provide you with the appropriate herbs.

+ Can Yoni Steaming help with my libido/sex drive?

The very act of doing a yoni steam feels like the finest self care. Simply by giving yourself the me-time to nourish and relax will inspire feelings of self love and self confidence. This self honouring and empowerment ripples out into other parts of a woman’s life, the renewed vitality and sense of self can support with improving a woman’s sex life. Physically, the sweet sensation of the steam can be arousing and the vulva and vagina is lubricated, which can be a turn on, activating a woman’s natural sexual energy flow.

+ What’s the recommended age for a young woman to start steaming?

It’s never too early to empower young women to love and care for their bodies from an early age. For young women entering their puberty years, it can help to integrate this wisdom from earlier on to support painful cycles and to inspire her to honour her body. As they are empowered with the knowledge and practices to look after themselves, they will naturally feel capable to look after themselves. For younger children, it’s recommended to steam just with water and a very small amount of herbs.

+ I've had a full/partial hysterectomy or I don’t have a womb, can I yoni steam?

Many women that have had full or partial hysterectomy or for other reasons do not have a womb, will receive benefit from the practice. Steaming can help to address tissue dryness, with nourishment being brought into the blood and lymph. The practice supports with putting the woman in touch with her body in a loving and sensitive way.

+ I'm a trans woman, can I yoni steam?

Trans women with or without a physical womb have reported receiving nourishing and fulfilling experiences from yoni steaming. It can be a beautiful way of connecting to her feminine essence and the energetic womb space and be an opportunity for deep healing.

It's worth mentioning here that as much as womb.love intends to be as inclusive as possible, and wants trans people to feel at home here, the language of the information on this website is mostly written as if the enquirer is in a female body due to the nature and intention of the sharing of this information.

+ I am perimenopausal / menopausal, can I yoni steam?

Many women that yoni steam during the perimenopausal and menopausal years find a lot of benefit from yoni steaming. The steam has a therapeutic effect on vaginal dryness and irritation. As the practice softens and moistens tissue and stimulating, combined with using aphrodisiac herb blends, women have reported an increased sex drive and libido, a sense of aliveness and vitality and a renewed connection with their feminine organs.

+ Does yoni steaming help with anything else besides women’s health?

The anus, vaginal opening and urethra are in close proximity on the perineum and so the herbal steam can be used to support other perineal difficulties such as hemorrhoids.

+ I’ve been advised by a medical practitioner not to do it, why would they say this?

First things first, we have modern science and medicine to thank for so much and we can be deeply thankful that we can see holistic and indigenous medicine is becoming more integrated into the Western World, and that new pathways are being formed between both worlds. Because, of course, they both have an immense amount of value.

womb.love are not in a position to recommend anything over a highly trained medical professional, nor to recommend that steaming is the only antidote to an issue you may be facing. If in any doubt, it’s best that you do contact a medical professional.

What many medical professionals won’t be aware of is the vast array of anecdotal evidence that conveys the impact this practice has on so many women across the world over time. Medicine women and birthworkers in indigenous cultures (still practicing today) have been passed on this wisdom and knowledge for thousands of years. Do you really think they would have kept on passing this wisdom on if it didn’t work? To completely deny ancestral wisdom is hugely dishonouring of those that came before us and the years of wisdom and lived practice they have. In Central America, steaming for a women's health issue is as common as drinking water for a headache, as expressed by Dr Rosita Arvigo.

Now we have the capacity to share success stories, the treatment is gathering steam and more women all around this world are reaching this wisdom. There’s just far too many success stories across a wide variety of women’s health challenges that validate the effectiveness of the practice and the test of time that it’s stood speaks for itself.

Following a protocol that targets her overall wellbeing - diet, exercise, positive mindset, following her intuition, self care practices and the support of herbal medicine, is extremely likely to show results... just this kind of thing isn’t widely accepted by the masses, yet. For it to be, it has to have a lot of funding and to be put forward for in depth scientific studies. The good news is that it’s being worked on as we speak thanks to Kimberley Johnson & Keli Garza's Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam Study project.

+ Does it actually work?

Many women report it has had a profound impact on their healing. As mentioned above - medicine women and birthworkers in indigenous cultures (still practicing today) have been passed on this wisdom and knowledge for thousands of years. Midwives wouldn’t continue recommending the practice if it wasn’t effective. This is why ancient and holistic medicines are gaining momentum as people are reminded that they can take their health into their own hands.

For me, I find value in the fact that there’s just far too many success stories across a wide variety of women’s health challenges that validate the effectiveness of the practice and the test of time that it’s stood speaks for itself.

At the end of the day, yoni steaming feels good, it makes women feel relaxed and at ease with her feminine organs. When done properly and when advice is sought so that the correct protocol is recommended, it’s a safe, it’s an easily accessible, non-invasive home remedy that is worth a try.

However, do know that it’s important to let your body (which includes your natural vaginal flora) to take care of itself without consistent change. Use steaming as an supportive health regime, not as a total cure.

+ Disclaimer

The content on the womb.love website is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. It is not intended to diagonise, treat or prevent any issue you may be facing - disease, health concern or illness. Our wish is for you to be inspired to make an informed decision about your health if you choose to use holistic methods to do so, and we advise that you consult a qualified health professional if you are in any doubt. We trust that by reading the information on this website, you acknowledge your total resposnibility for your own health decisions.

If your specific issue relates to making big health changes around a specific diagnosis or condition, you are advised to consult with a qualified health professional.

womb.love is not a medical or naturopathic doctor and does not dispense medical advice. If you feel or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider immediately. Always consult with your medical doctor and/or health care provider before taking any medication, nutritional supplements, and/or making any dietary changes.

womb.love is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences that might result if you choose to use or apply any of the information that you have read on this website and/or applied any of the information you have gathered from the resources. You are solely responsible for your health decisions.