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Pre-steaming Guidelines

Please read these guidelines carefully so that you are informed of how pelvic steaming may affect your health and wellbeing.

NOTE: It is imperitve that you disclose as much information regarding your menstrual, reproductive, sexual and hormonal health to your steam practitioner during your consultation and in the Client Intake Form to ensure you are provided the best plan for your specific needs.

Best practices

  • Go to the bathroom directly prior to pelvic steaming.
  • Use a method to track your menstrual cycle to be aware of post-steam cycle changes and length.
  • If increased vaginal discharge occurs after steaming, you may want to use panty liners or a spray bottle or bidet to rinse mucus off the skin.
  • Learn proper period care so that your post-steam period will flush out any old residue loosened up during the steam session. For more information, please read the ‘Proper period care’ section below. 
  • If you have an emotional release while steaming please ensure that you take care of your emotional body in the ways that you receive comfort and consider processing the feelings that surfaced with the guidance of a trusted friend, healer or professional therapist.

When not to steam

Pelvic steaming is contraindicated in the following situations:

  • If you are currently pregnant (though steaming can be done in very late pregnancy once you are already in natural labour and planning to deliver vaginally)
  • If you are currently menstruating or have fresh spotting
  • If you have had recent spontaneous bleeding
  • If you have a genital infection characterised by burning itchiness
  • Post-insemination if you are trying to conceive
  • 6 weeks post-surgery.

Medical interactions

For informed medical advice regarding vaginal steaming, it is recommended to consult a medical doctor who is familiar with pelvic steaming. Please contact us for a referral to your closest steam-knowledgeable medical practitioner.

If you are currently on certain medications, please be mindful as they tend to have food and herb interactions. Specific medications to be mindful of include blood thinners, diabetic medications and chemotherapy medications. If in doubt, it is okay to steam without herbs.

Vaginal steaming may potentially compromise the efficacy of the following gynaecological interventions:

  • Endometrial Ablation: steam may clear out the intentional scarification of the uterine lining
  • Tubal Coagulation: steam may remove the tubal scar tissue
  • Essure coil: steam may dislodge the scarification that holds this device in place
  • Dermal Birth Control Patches: steam may shed the thickened uterine lining caused by this product
  • Uterine Fibroid Embolization: steam may dislodge the gels or coils inserted to block the arteries.

NOTE: some users have intentionally steamed to help alleviate negative side effects from the above procedures with success.

When steaming is ok

Pelvic steaming is allowed in the following situations but may require a modified steam setup.

  • While using an intrauterine device (IUD), hormonal birth control, Depo-Provera contraceptive injection
  • While experiencing Lichen Sclerosus viruses, bacterial or yeast infections, interstitial cystitis, bladder infection, hypertension (high blood pressure), autoimmune disorders, gynaecological disorders, retrofitted uterus, breastfeeding.

If you are concerned with any of the above, please contact us for a referral to your closest steam-knowledgeable medical practitioner.

Common side effects

Positive side effects of pelvic steaming include:

  • better sleep
  • decrease swelling in legs and feet
  • decreased abdominal bloating
  • slimmer waistline
  • increased libido
  • decrease in breast soreness
  • fewer headaches
  • fewer PMS symptoms
  • increased energy
  • lucid dreams
  • tingling feet
  • increased lubrication
  • healthy bowel movement
  • improved urinary release
  • reduced back pain
  • clearer skin.

Some of the possible signs of the steam cleanse may include:

  • urination urge while steaming
  • browning discharge after steaming
  • increased clots
  • cramps or brown menses during the next period
  • increased dry cramps
  • increased irregular vaginal discharge (white, green, thick clumpy)
  • emotional release
  • periods that come earlier or later than expected.

All of these signs are a normal part of the cleansing process and then these signs should go away once the cleanse is complete. Please note these changes and inform your practitioner.

Cautions

Pelvic steaming may cause some unwanted side effects, please notify your steam practitioner if you experience any of the following during or after your steaming session. In most cases, the steam setup, duration or herbs need adjustment:

  • Rash: may be an allergic reaction to herbs. Steam herbs should be adjusted
  • Bumps: may be a cleansing side effect, can continue steaming but should check with a steam-knowledgeable medical doctor if it looks suspicious
  • Headaches: may be dehydration or a sign of too much circulation. Steam duration and schedule should be adjusted
  • Itchiness: may be a reaction to herbs or may be related to irregular discharge clearing out. Steam herbs may need adjustment. If irregular discharge is the problem an herbal soak is recommended
  • Diarrhoea: may be a sign that the herbs are too strong. Steam herbs should be adjusted
  • Nausea or vomiting: may be a sign that the herbs are too strong or there is an allergy. Steam herbs should be adjusted
  • Inter-period bleeding: may be a uterine bleeding contraindication. Implement first aid to stop bleeding guidelines (see section below)
  • Onset of fresh spotting: may be a uterine bleeding sensitivity and maybe contraindication. Implement first aid to stop bleeding guidelines
  • Stripped skin: usually a sign that the steam temperature is too hot or the herbs are too concentrated
  • Shortened menstrual cycles (27 days or less): may be a uterine bleeding sensitivity
  • Pain: pain is not normal during or after a vaginal steam session. If you feel pain, please seek medical attention
  • Herpes outbreak: for women with dormant genital herpes, there could be an outbreak as herpes is a virus that is sensitive to heat. When steaming with the herpes virus, it is important to only do a mild 10 minute steam session. In most cases, this will prevent any outbreak while doing a mild 10 min session, then steaming may not be suitable for you and instead you may consider doing an herbal soak.

Proper period care

Pelvic steaming and proper period care go hand in hand. Your period is a natural womb cleanse as your uterus sheds its lining in the event of no impregnation. It is common for someone’s post-steam period to clear out old menses (if you have uterine stagnation).

Proper period care must be observed to optimise the positive effects of vaginal steaming. The following womb care guidelines should be followed during the period to assist this process.

  • Prioritise rest for the first four days of your menstrual period
  • Avoid body inversions and rigorous exercise while menstruating
  • Avoid using period products that plug the vaginal canal such as tampons
  • Keeping the abdomen warm to support good circulation and blood flow to the uterus, keeping the whole body warm is also recommended
  • Ensure adequate hydration and nutrition to support increased blood production, this includes warm teas, warm foods and blood tonifying/ blood building foods.

First aid to stop bleeding

There are several situations where uterine bleeding requires first aid to reduce or stop the blood flow. This includes any bleeding that occurs outside of a normal period such as: spontaneous bleeding, ovulation “breakthrough” bleeding, fresh spotting, ongoing periods, two periods per month, menopausal bleeding.

If a period lasts longer than four days, consisting of fresh, heavy blood flow, efforts should be made to stop the blood flow on the fifth day of the period. Lastly, if someone is bleeding at an expected time (during their period, miscarriage or postpartum) but the bleeding is heavy, the flow still should be slowed down if possible.

Heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding may be a sign of uterine fatigue, whereby the uterus and its vessels do not have the energy or strength to close and prevent blood from escaping. To stop this type of bleeding, follow these two steps:
1) Bedrest, immediate bedrest for 24-48 hours quickly decreases or stops bleeding by helping to rest the fatigued uterus;
2) Herbal First Aids, Peristeam Hydrotherapists, Acupuncturists, and Midwives are all trained in offering herbal first aid to stop heavy bleeding. Please seek out assistance as soon as possible.

Losing too much blood can be an emergency. The following are mild and severe symptoms to be aware of.
If mild symptoms occur, have someone to help monitor the situation perchance the symptoms progress and emergency care is needed.
If any severe symptoms occur seek emergency care immediately.

Mild symptoms include:

  • headache
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • profuse sweating

Severe symptoms include:

  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • cold and clammy skin
  • blue lips or fingernails
  • pale skin
  • rapid heart rate
  • confusion
  • weakness/weak pulse
  • lightheadedness
  • loss of consciousness