Safety Considerations

Summary: Steaming at home is generally safe if we always test the water before sitting down (using our hands right near the surface of the water) and if we pay attention to how the steam feels for at least 30 seconds when we first sit down, because the level of heat does fluctuate.

The number one critique that people have about pelvic steaming is that it is somehow unsafe. Does this claim have any validity?

Yoni steaming is done with hot water and herbs. Either of these things certainly could be dangerous, depending on how they’re used. But if you can manage to take a hot shower without burning yourself, you can definitely steam safely; and if you purchase your herbs from a qualified practitioner, chances are you won’t have anything to worry about. It’s pretty simple, but there are a couple things to be aware of before you try steaming at home.

First, realize that temperature, while measurable, is something we experience subjectively. There’s no one temperature that’s safe for everyone when steaming, because how our individual bodies feel is the primary consideration. Hence, it’s crucial to test the water before you sit down.

However, the external tissues of the perineal area are so much more sensitive than most of the other tissues in our bodies. So, placing your hand above your steam pot (at the level where you pelvis will be when you get in position to steam) is a poor indicator of how it’s going to feel. Through experience, I’ve found it’s best to make a loose fist and place your hand right near the surface of the water; because the skin of our hands is less sensitive than the skin around the genitals, this is a much better indicator for how the temperature is going to feel when we sit down to steam.

The second awareness that helps many women is to understand that the steam fluctuates. Sometimes it billows up in bigger “poofs” (feeling warmer/hotter), and then it will dissipate (feeling cooler). With yoni steaming, hotter is NOT better, so we want to make sure that when the steam is at it’s hottest (billowing up more strongly), that it’s still totally comfortable. It’s especially important to notice and be present with this for the first 30-60 seconds when you sit down. Regardless of how you spend the remainder of your steam session, take the time to feel your body and follow the pattern of the steam for this timeframe.

Now that you understand the safety considerations…

Enjoy your steam!

tldr: Steaming at home is generally safe if we always test the water before sitting down (using our hands right near the surface of the water) and if we pay attention to how the steam feels for at least 30 seconds when we first sit down, because the heat does fluctuate.

There are definitely times where it’s not safe to steam; for more detailed info about contraindications, click here.

To learn how to set up your home steam session, click here.

For more information about supplies we recommend, click here.

To see all our educational blog posts, click here.

Every woman is unique. Curious what YOUR ideal steam schedule is? Text STEAM to this number (additional fees apply).