Yes, V-Steaming or Vaginal Steaming, aka a “FACIAL” for your vagina! Read ON!
Image by Steamy Chick
Women from all over the globe in countries such as Africa, Korea, Indonesia, Polynesia and Mexico to name a few have been using the treatment for centuries. Is it ironic that indigenous women have been using unconventional body treatments that most westerners cringe at until a celebrity or academic study endorses it? Hmmm, ahem…Gwen Paltrow.
I first learned about the treatment in 2013 after going down a rabbit hole of research in regards to what to do after getting off synthetic hormones aka birth control after being on it since 2003. The research lead me to read a book called Satsun by Dr. Rosita Arvigo. The book is about her time as an apprentice with a Mayan Healer or what’s also known as a shaman. According to dictionary.com a shaman is “a person who acts as an intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using holistic treatments to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc.”–totally up my alley.
Within the book and her site she mentions something called a bajos treatment aka vaginal steaming and its many benefits for the female body. I was intrigued to say the least and went on a search of finding a practitioner in my area in California. I was determined to do everything in my power to ensure I helped facilitate + regulate my menstrual cycle after being on birth control for ten years. I should note here that I wasn’t actively trying to get pregnant at the time, however since then I have given birth to a beautiful baby girl without any fertility assistance.
BENEFITS, DO + DON’TS
Keli Garza has a great article of the benefits on vaginal steaming and when are the best times to do the treatment, such as before or after your period, post miscarriage, fertility and after hot-flashes to name a few. Please check it out to learn more because she has an extensive amount of academic knowledge on the subject of women’s health research on vaginal steam therapy.
What I will share are the benefits which I received from having the treatment. The heat and vapor did increase blood flow to my pelvic area, which helped with menstrual related cramps, at the onset of my next period and, yes…sex! Honey-darling, let me just say that post v-steam sex is life-altering in the sense that the vaginal walls were supple, moist and soften. The feeling sensations are intensified, in a good way.
Pastaveia enjoying her V-Steam in LA
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? WHERE CAN YOU GET IT DONE? CAN YOU DIY A V-STEAM?
Well, it depends on where you go and if you do-it-yourself.
One of the many things I cherish about living in California is its ability to adopt and adhere to new ideas of innovation, along with its open-minded-ness. Ah, I love you, California. 
If you want to have the treatment done at a spa, Google is your friend. Simply Google “V-steam or Vagina Steaming” and your city/state, wait a fraction of a second and check out your results.
The spa in which I went to charged $50 Plus gratuity if you choose. at the time and treatment lasted for about 45 minutes. The price may have increased since then but I’d say the price is comparable to that of a basic 30-minute facial.
OR….
You can make your own v-steam with herbs and basin in your home. If you choose to do it at home it could cheaper because you’d just be paying for the herbs. Now as far as the herbs are concerned, the internet has a multitude of recipes but overall the basic go-to herbs include: mugwort, sage, calendula, yarrow and lemon balm. SteamyChick.com has a great at-home option with everything you need to include an open-seated sauna, so you don’t have to worry about getting splinter(s) from your DIY carpenter skills.
Steamychick.com At-Home Kits
Our very own Mamavation leader, Leah is a huge fan! She learned about it by talking to women at the Korean spa she loves to go to in Los Angeles. She ended up buying a vaginal steamer from SteamyChick.com after suffering from 7-10 day menstrual cycles for a year. She then did 5 days of 30 minute treatments after her period and the following period was only 5 days! She also says, it makes her incredibly creative afterwards–She gets the best ideas when she’s sitting there. Monthly steaming is her jam.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?
Oh yeah, mama! I’d also recommend you keeping a journal about your experience to help reflect on your journey. If you do decide to try out the treatment and want to share, please do in the comments below or direct message me on instagram. @EcoConsciousLuv
Disclosure: This post requires no disclosure because we purchased all these things ourselves. HA!
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This is very great and brilliant information.
I have done group V-steams and they were fun! I asked my dad to make a V-steam box for me, but he has yet to pull through. I’d do it often if I had a designated seat. (In the classes we had to “hover” over our own dish… I used my 4 quart crock pot, but it was very uncomfortable…)