How To Use

Safe Setup

The next consideration when it comes to vaginal steam safety is how the vaginal steam is setup. Below are the setup components to consider.

Ensure that the vaginal steam seat is sturdy and that it is placed far enough above the steam not to cause a burn. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a lot of unsafe youtube videos that advise women to steam by sitting directly on or straddling over a hot pot. This is not safe. Sadly, one woman attempted such a setup and fell in. She endured several burns. The vaginal steam seat should be a wooden box, a birthing stool or a sturdy chair.

Herb Pot

The hot steam should not be in a plastic bowl as is commonly shown on youtube DIY setups. Toxins from the plastic can leak into the water. Glass jars are also common but often break if the water is too hot. The best setup will have the water and herbs in a clay, glass or stainless steel pot.

Electric Burner

Electric burners are commonly used to create long steam sessions. This is very helpful for addressing certain complaints and is commonplace in spas. Long steam sessions are not suitable for everyone however. Steaming with a burner can aggravate those with herpes, the mirena IUD, short menstrual cycles (27 days or shorter) or infections (BV, yeast, UTI). In such cases a mild (no-burner) steam session is more suitable. 

Lastly, it’s not necessary to steam with a burner during weather. Mild steams are the best during summertime.

Getting the Right Herbs

Another safety consideration when steaming is making sure to get the right herbs. Most vaginal steam herb blends focus on cleansing and circulatory herbs that are beneficial for clearing out old residue and helping with cramps. Unfortunately, this category of herbs doesn't work for everyone. Specifically, women with short menstrual cycles (27 days or less) don’t tolerate cleansing herbs very well and it can cause their period to come early or may cause loose stools. Alternatively, if short-cyclers get the right herbs, it may help to extend their cycle to a normal 28 days.

SETUP AND HERB PREP WITHOUT A SAUNA

For users who are preparing herbs without a vaginal steam sauna, please follow the directions below.

DIRECTIONS

1. Use the kitchen stove or an electric burner.
2. Place a pot on the burner/stove. 
3. Fill with 4-6 cups of water.
4. If you have loose leaf herbs add 1-1.6 tablespoons or 0.8 oz.
5. Cover the pot with a lid.
6. Cook on medium for 10 minutes.(The herb water will be tea colored.)
7. Transfer the pot to your steam setup. Remove the lid and it's ready to go.

(If you would like to get double use out of the herb packet carefully remove it with a large spoon and store it in the fridge for next day use)

FLOOR STEAM SETUP 

 If you do not have a steam seat setup you can follow these easy directions.

1. Put the pot on the floor (preferably on top of a plush carpet, rug or blanket).
2. Place your feet on either side of the pot.(Caution: the pot is hot so please be careful.)
3. Carefully lower your knees to either side of the pot.

Tip: you can put a towel around the pot for extra protection to make sure not to burn yourself.

4. You can steam in this position.
5. If you like, you can rest your arms and head in a kneeling position on the floor.

ALTERNATE SETUP

1. Modify a chair by somehow creating a hole in it and using your own pot and burner.
2. Clean toilet or place a toddlers seat on top.  a) Place huge towel(beach towel) underneath toilet seat b) Fold towel so that it’s sturdy enough to hold steam pot or bowl c) Place steam pot or steam bowl on top of towel  d)Push the pot or bowl down to where it’s low enough for you to sit on to seat without your bottom touching the pot or bowl. Men protect your genitalia (Make sure to be careful when transferring hot pot or bowl)
3. Let cool down to the steam heat that’s best for you.
4. Ready to go!!!
5. Seat and steam for 10-30 minutes
6. Cover up with a cloak or towel, rope or blanket.

 (1^st time steaming only steam for 10 mins then you can steam for up to 30mins next time)

(If you have a mild case of Herpes, 13 yr old steamers or Male steamers, I recommend 10 mins only once a month or every full moon)

 Caution: I do not recommend using a Sitz bath or plastic bowl because the boiling water can cause plastic toxins to release and tarnish the herbs.

Cloak/Cover Up

It's common in spas to provide a plastic cloak while steaming which helps to cause a full body detox and increase circulation. It is okay, however, to steam without a cloak. In hot weather, if prone to infections, herpes, night sweats or hot flashes, the cloak is unnecessary and might cause excess heat problems in the body. Instead, it can be replaced with a light sheet or thin robe.

Vaginal Steam Safety

These are the basics of vaginal steam safety. As more spas are starting to offer vaginal steam services and new DIY at home videos pop up every day, it's clear that the practice of vaginal steaming is spreading. As it does, the companies and individuals offering this service should implement proper screening processes to ensure there aren't contraindications and to make the proper choices for sensitive clients.