What is Pelvic Steaming for Uterine & Reproductive Health?

Pelvic steaming – also known as “vaginal steaming” or “yoni steaming” increases blood flow, nerve flow and lymphatic drainage in the pelvic area. I choose to call it “pelvic steaming” to be gender inclusive. I sometimes recommend it as a complementary treatment for clients receiving Uterine & Reproductive Health Massage, but it is something most people can do.** 

Pelvic Steaming supplies!

Pelvic steaming brings heat and herbal healing to the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, bladder and rectum, as well as the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the pelvis. By increasing blood and nerve flow and lymphatic drainage to the pelvis, we are tapping into our bodies’ innate ability to heal itself, which can address a variety of dysfunctions of the pelvic organs, including:

• Painful, irregular and/or heavy menstrual cycles

• PMS symptoms

• Difficulty conceiving

• Ovarian Cysts and PCOS

• Endometriosis

• Uterine polyps and fibroids

• Recurring vaginal infections

• Vaginal dryness

• Menopause Symptoms

• UTIs and bladder infections

• Hemorrhoids 

Mama Jane’s Pelvic Steaming herbs, which includes red raspberry leaf, motherwort, rose, calendula & lavender, need to be boiled and steeped in preparation for treatment

Pelvic steaming involves boiling and steeping herbs that are nutritive to the pelvis, and then hovering your pelvis over the pot of steaming herbs. There are a few ways hover over the steam:

• Pelvic Steaming Stool

  • There are various types of these available online and we have one that my husband made in the bathroom at 44th & Wellness. It’s made of white pine and sealed with a non-toxic sealant. It is essentially a box with a hole in the lid, which allows the steam to enter your pelvis when you sit on it.

• On your knees with your upper body resting on a yoga ball

  • Wrap the pot of steaming herbs with a towel so it doesn’t burn your legs, and straddle the pot while resting your upper body on a yoga ball.

• On the toilet

  • Clean your toilet, turn off the water and flush, which will drain all water from the bowl; place your pot of steaming herbs in the toilet and sit on the toilet like normal.

Mama Jane’s Pelvic Steaming Stool was custom-made by Rocky Mountain Maker out of white pine, and finished with a non-toxic sealant.

No matter how you set up your pelvic steam, you want to wrap a blanket around your waist to keep the warmth contained and for your comfort. The steam from the herbs lasts about 30 minutes. I encourage folks to set an intention for their steam, use dim lighting, listen to calming music or let the space be quiet, focus on slow and deep breaths, and spend the time sending loving and healing energy to their pelvic space. 

A variety of herbs can be beneficial to use for pelvic steaming – these are the ones I like to use:

• Red raspberry leaf encourages blood flow and tone in the uterus and pelvic floor. It can decrease cramping and improve mood by decreasing irritability. 

• Motherwort is an anti-spasmodic and can reduce cramping in the uterus. It also increases blood circulation, decreases inflammation, and assists with hormone regulation. It also has calming effects and can take you out of a fight-or-flight response and back into rest-and-digest.

• Rose supports self-love and has calming and uplifting qualities.  It also helps support healing emotional trauma that is connected to the pelvic space.  Rose is astringent, which means it helps to contract the tissues.

• Calendula nourishes and soothes the tissues.  It is vulnerary, otherwise known as a “wound healer” and may help with any physical scarring and emotional wounds.  

• Lavender is comforting and gentle, and helps with nervousness and anxiety, and it is also anti-inflammatory.
  
  
  

Other herbs to try:

• Basil – anti-inflammatory

• Chamomile – eases muscle spasms and period pain

• Dandelion – anti-inflammatory

• Damiana – increases sexual desire

• Marigold – eases cramps and muscle spasms, anti-inflammatory, reduces hemorrhoid pain

• Oregano – anti-inflammatory, helps to treat yeast infections

• Red Clover – balances hormones, can be used for PMS and menopause symptoms

• Rosemary – anti-inflammatory
  
  
  

Pelvic steaming can be done up to once a week, except when you are on your period**. For those trying to conceive, you can do 2-3 steams per week after your period ends until ovulation. 

** If you are experiencing any of the following, you should NOT do a pelvic steam:

• You are pregnant

• You are trying to conceive and it is the time between ovulation and your period potentially starting 

• You are less than 6 weeks postpartum AND/OR you are still experiencing postpartum bleeding

• You are on your period

• You have an active pelvic disease, infection, or STI or cancer in your reproductive organs

• You have open wounds in your pelvic area

• You have an IUD

• You are prone to hot flashes

• You have a fever or acute illness