Your vagina goes through a lot. Between menstruation, childbirth and sexual intercourse, your “lady bits” have a lot of lists on her to-do list. When you add pelvic floor issues and drastic hormonal changes to the mix, sometimes your vagina reaches a “burnout” point.
Sometimes, you just want to give yourself a break. But how do you keep it fresh all day? Is there a way to give your lady bits a well-deserved break?
For many people, there are ways you can detox your vagina. Two of the most popular methods are the yoni steam and yoni pearls.
Many celebrities swear by these holistic approaches to vaginal detox. Celebrity model Chrissy Teigen is a big fan of vaginal steaming and GOOP owner and actress Gwyneth Paltrow swears by these yoni goddess pearls. Most of these celebrities are sharing their experiences online. As a result, women are also wondering if these yoni vaginal detox approaches will actually work.
Before you start investing in yoni pearls or plan a regular yoni steam, it pays to know the pros and cons that come with each detox option.
What is Vaginal Steaming? The Yoni Steam Basics
Yoni steam (otherwise known as vaginal steaming) is a traditional remedy said to cleanse the uterus and vagina, ease bloating and period cramps and regulate menstruation. After Gwyneth Paltrow listed the yoni steam as her way of living her best life, many people tried their hand at yoni steaming.
But what does good yoni steam do to your vagina anyway?
How Does a Yoni Steam Work?
Yoni steam directs herb-infused steam to your lady parts. You can either do this at home or by yourself. Some spas go the extra mile by offering a special seat with a hole for the steam. If you don’t have the budget for upscale spa services, DIY yoni steam is doable, although some doctors aren’t fans of the idea.
The steaming process sounds simple. All you have to do is squat or sit over a container of steam infused with herbs. The herbs often used in yoni steam include:
- Oregano
- Basil
- Calendula
- Chamomile
- Wormwood
- Mugwort
How Do You DIY a Yoni Steam?
Listed below are the steps you can take if you want to steam at home. However, talk to your doctor first about the benefits and potential risks of DIY yoni steam.
DIY Yoni Steam Steps:
- Add a cup of your preferred herbs to a basin of hot water.
- Let the herbs steep. Wait for a minute.
- Strip off the bottom half of your clothes, underwear included!
- Squat or stand directly over the basin. Some women prefer to put the basin in the toilet and sit on their toilet.
- Wrap a towel around your legs and waist to prevent the steam from escaping.
- Wait for 20 minutes. If you want the “full effect,” steam your vagina for an hour. Depending on how hot the water is, the steam may cool down.
What are the Benefits of a Yoni Steam?
Fans of the yoni steam believe that this natural detox cleanses your vagina, uterus and all parts of your reproductive system minus the need for harsh chemicals. But the health benefit claims do not stop there.
Regular vaginal steaming allegedly relieves:
- Infertility
- Depression and stress
- Infections
- Hormonal imbalances
- Hemorrhoids
- Digestive issues
- Fatigue
- Headaches
Safety Concerns
A primary concern associated with yoni steam is burning, specifically the burning of vaginal tissues. If the steam is too hot, it can burn you. Plus, adding moist heat to your vagina can increase your risk for bacterial or yeast infections.
So before you steam your vagina, get the go signal from your doctor and a professional recommendation on how to do yoni steam well.
Goddess Pearls: What Do Yoni Pearls Do?
On the other side of the spectrum, some women prefer to detox their vagina with yoni pearls, which are also called vaginal detox pearls, cleansing pearls, vaginal pearls of herbal tampons. Think of them as “vaginal tea bags.” These goddess pearls are bundles of cloth-wrapped herbs that claim to cleanse and detoxify your uterus.
Similar to the yoni steam, yoni pearls use herbs to give you detoxifying benefits. Common herbs in yoni pearls are:
- Osthol
- Rhizome
- Rhubarb
- Safflower
- Borneol
- Peach kernel
- Angelica root
Why Do People Use Yoni Pearls?
These goddess pearls are often marketed as a holistic and natural way to detox or cleanse your uterus or vagina of toxins, past sexual partners, hormonal imbalances and negative emotions. They’re also believed to help with bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, endometriosis and heavy periods.
What Comes Out After Using Yoni Pearls?
Despite these “claimed” benefits, there remains a hot debate on the effectiveness and safety of using yoni pearls. For instance, many of these goddess pearls come with panty liners to collect “whatever comes out” of your vagina after. Some women experience a gray discharge after using yoni pearls. A gray discharge is a sign that your vaginal walls are weakening.
Other common side effects associated with using yoni pearls are:
- Cramping
- Stinging
- Itching
- Vaginal dryness
Do Yoni Steams and Yoni Pearls Work?
The Internet is full of success stories from women who have tried yoni steam and/or yoni pearls but as mentioned above, there is no scientific evidence that suggests either one is working.
For many doctors, the vagina is a self-cleaning organ that does not require a “detox.” It’s normal for your vagina to have a discharge or a slight odor whether you are pregnant or not. These are not signs for you to clean your vagina more.
If you are concerned with the state of your vagina, it’s best to talk to your OB. They can diagnose you and recommend treatment if necessary.
The Bottom Line
There is still much debate on the safety and effectiveness of using yoni pearls or steaming your vagina. While celebrities highly recommend these practices, it’s important to still consider what medical experts say.
In case you feel your vagina needs a little “extra” TLC, get in touch with your gynecologist. They can give you good medical advice that reduces your risks for infections in the future.
