What You Need to Know About Vaginal Steaming

Vaginal steaming — also known as yoni steaming or V-steaming — has resurfaced as a trendy self-care ritual, appearing everywhere from wellness spas to celebrity headlines (remember when Gwyneth Paltrow made headlines for vaginal steaming back in 2015?).¹

The idea sounds soothing — you sit over a pot of herb-infused hot water, letting the steam rise so it “cleanses the vagina,” increases blood flow to the vaginal tissues, and restores balance. But before you pull out a pot or buy a vaginal steam chair, it’s worth asking — does vaginal steaming work, and more importantly, is it safe?

What is vaginal steaming?

Image: Traditional vaginal steaming chair.

Vaginal steaming involves sitting over a pot or vaginal steam chair filled with steaming water infused with herbs like mugwort, wormwood, or oregano. The steam is thought to cleanse and rejuvenate your vaginal tissues and improve circulation.You can find spas that offer vaginal steaming or buy a yoni steaming kit to perform vaginal steaming at home.

Are there vaginal steaming benefits?

Traditionally, vaginal steaming was used postpartum in some cultures for relaxation or healing. Today, vaginal steaming benefits are often marketed to include:²

• Hormone balance
• Increased fertility
• Postpartum healing
• Reduced menstrual cramps
• Enhanced sexual pleasure
• Vaginal tightening

But there isn’t any scientific evidence to actually support these claims. In fact, The World Health Organization³ and most medical experts⁴ agree there’s no evidence that vaginal steaming improves reproductive or sexual health. Until more research is done, there are currently no proven benefits.

Is vaginal steaming safe?

While steaming or yoni steaming may sound harmless, there are risks that outweigh the potential comfort:

• Burns: The steam can burn sensitive vulvar and vaginal tissues. One case report described a woman using vaginal steaming for pelvic organ prolapse who sustained second-degree burns with no symptom relief.⁵
• Irritation or allergic reactions: The skin of your vulva and vagina is sensitive and susceptible to irritation.⁶ Herbs infused with steam can inflame tissues, leading to itching, redness, or swelling.
• Disrupted pH and bacteria: Steam and herbal compounds may disrupt the healthy balance of bacteria that keep your vagina clean and prevent infections. Vaginal practices like douching and vulvar cleansing are known to disturb this delicate vaginal microbiome.⁷
• Increased STI risk: Irritation and injury can weaken the genital skin’s barrier. Some research8 links vaginal practices, including vaginal steaming, to a greater risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other pelvic health conditions.

Pelvic floor and vaginal health considerations

Your vagina is naturally self-cleaning — it doesn’t need steam or herbs infused with hot water to stay healthy. Introducing steam to this sensitive area can upset your natural pH and bacteria balance.

But the concerns don’t stop there. Your pelvic health can also be affected. Steam or herbs may inflame the nerves or tissues of your vulva, potentially triggering pelvic pain conditions like vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, or urinary irritation. And since the pelvic floor is a complex web of muscles, ligaments, and nerves, even mild trauma or inflammation can worsen issues like bladder urgency, chronic pelvic pain, or pain with sex.

So while vaginal steaming may seem like a natural way to nurture your pelvic health, it can actually create avoidable complications.

Evidence-based alternatives to vaginal steaming

If you’re drawn to the ritual of steaming because it feels healing, there are safer, scientifically supported ways to achieve similar results. 

For postpartum healing or pelvic relaxation:
Try warm sitz baths instead of steam. They soothe tissues, improve circulation, and reduce swelling. Pair this with pelvic floor physical therapy or join the V-Hive’s postpartum programs for guided recovery and gentle strengthening.

For period discomfort:
Use a heating pad on your abdomen or back, stay hydrated, and move gently. Yoga and breathwork increase blood flow to the pelvic area and ease cramps naturally — no herbs or steam required.

For vaginal hygiene:
Your vagina cleans itself. Avoid douching or internal washing, which can cause irritation and infection. Instead:

• Rinse with warm water using your hand or a soft washcloth
• Separate your labia and gently clean between folds, including your clitoris
• Use only gentle, unscented, paraben-free soap externally

If you notice burning, itching, odor, or unusual discharge, skip the steam pot and contact your healthcare provider — these symptoms may indicate infection or imbalance that needs real treatment, not home remedies.

Your vagina doesn’t need steam — it needs evidence-based support

Steaming your vagina might sound soothing, but there’s no scientific evidence it benefits your vaginal or pelvic health — and it may even cause burns or vaginal infections. Your vagina already knows how to take care of itself.

If your goal is better pelvic health, postpartum recovery, or sexual comfort, join the V-Hive. 

Our evidence-based programs are designed to help you heal, move, and feel your best — no steam required.

References

1. Robinson, Ann. “Sorry, Gwyneth Paltrow, but steaming your vagina is a bad idea.” The Guardian, 30 Jan. 2015
2. Inside Out Restorative Spa. “The History and Culture of Yoni Steaming and How It Can Enhance Your Feminine Wellness.” Inside Out Restorative Spa
   
3. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines for the Management of Common Illnesses with Limited Resources. WHO
   
4. Trinh, Jessica. “Yoni Steaming: Does It Work and Is It Safe?” GoodRx Health, 2024
   
5. Robert, M. “Second-Degree Burn Sustained After Vaginal Steaming.” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, vol. 41, no. 6, 2019, pp. 838–839. Elsevier, doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2018.07.013.
   
6. Chen, Y., E. Bruning, J. Rubino, and S. E. Eder. “Role of Female Intimate Hygiene in Vulvovaginal Health: Global Hygiene Practices and Product Usage.” Women’s Health (London), vol. 13, no. 3, 2017, pp. 58–67. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1177/1745505717731011.
   
7. Fashemi, B., M. L. Delaney, A. B. Onderdonk, and R. N. Fichorova. “Effects of Feminine Hygiene Products on the Vaginal Mucosal Biome.” Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease, vol. 24, 2013, doi:10.3402/mehd.v24i0.19703.
   
8. Journal of Global Health Reports. “Are Intravaginal Practices Associated with Human Papillomavirus and the Development of Cervical Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review.” JOGHR