Sorry, Gwyneth Paltrow, but steaming your vagina is a bad idea

Paltrow’s lifestyle site goop.com recommends an “infrared and mugwort steam” treatment. Dr Ann Robinson suggests you think before straddling the kettle.

 The Real Deal On V-Steaming

We hate to break it to you, but you shouldn’t always listen to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chrissy Teigen—at least when it comes to v-steaming, aka yoni steaming. The celebs are famous fans of vaginal steaming. Sound odd? It kinda is. If you're a little confused, think of it this way: It’s essentially a facial for your vulva.

Benefits of Vaginal Steaming

Here you'll find eight reasons to include yoni steaming in your health and wellness routine.

Don't Get Burned

So why is that woman are burning themselves when all they have to do to prevent burning is stand up?!

Floating wombs and fumigation – why Gwyneth Paltrow has ‘steam douching’ all wrong

Gwyneth Paltrow stirred up an interesting discussion with her latest recommendation for the spa fan: the Mugworth V-Steam. As she put it: “You sit on what is essentially a mini-throne, and a combination of infrared and mugwort steam cleanses your uterus, et al. It is an energetic release …” But as obstetrician and gynaecologist Jen Gunter simply says: “Don’t”.

Great Moments in Goop History

One of the more controversial vaginal experiences—I apologize for typing the phrase “vaginal experiences”—Goop has endorsed is something called “vaginal steaming,” which is probably exactly what you’re imagining it is.

I Steam-Cleaned My Vagina

I hovered over a pot of hot water filled with special herbs for almost half an hour, because sometimes your vagina needs to get pampered.

Is Vaginal Steaming A Bunch Of Hot Air?

What the scientific proof behind these claimed effects? Virtually none.

The New-Old Practice of Vaginal Steam Baths

Once confined to salons and spas throughout Korean neighborhoods, chai-yok is now appearing in establishments that cater to a more diverse clientele. Still, there is no evidence that steam from boiling herbs could have an effect on infertility, or anything else for that matter. The heat and vapor probably do increase blood flow to the pubic area, but so does a hot bath and that won’t cost you $50 a pop.

The One Thing Gynecologists Want You To Stop Doing To Your Vagina

Bottom line: Never douche your vag, insert egg-shaped objects into it or steam clean it like dirty drapes and rugs in order to cleanse it or promote hormonal balance. Your vagina can do that all on its own.

Vagina Steaming Isn’t as Glamorous as Gwyneth Paltrow Makes It Sound

In beauty salons on the Indonesian island of Bali, vagina steaming—a procedure the GOOP maven championed in 2015—is popular with locals, but it's nothing like a day at the spa.

Vaginal steams help women. That you haven't heard of something doesn't make it suspect

Gwyneth Paltrow’s not the first-ever advocate: steams are commonly used in Korea, and by midwives and traditional healers in Central and South America.

Why do women keep looking for ways to optimize their vaginas?

Women have been searching for ways to perfect their vaginas for decades. From eating citrus fruits like pineapples and grapefruit to improve the taste, to drinking probiotic teas to combat natural smells, there are tons of uncertain, low-risk practices out there that rumor to give you a better vagina. The vajacial, essentially a facial for your vagina, is the latest trend in obtaining vaginal palatability. Videos of the service are circulating all over the internet, and I can’t lie, I was intrigued when I saw the final reveal of a freshly waxed and exfoliated bikini line.

Your vagina cleans itself: why vagina cleaning fads are unnecessary and harmful

A staggering variety of so-called feminine hygiene products seek to help with “vaginal odour” and discharge, and “keep you fresh”. From deodorants to cucumber cleanses, scented “panty liners”, and the newest fad “vaginal steaming”.