The vaginal steam treatment isn’t necessarily new, but in America, it sounds a bit foreign and perhaps like a vulnerable procedure. But Megy Karydes stepped up, or rather sat down, to explore the potential benefits for a story with Chicago Health.
This treatment is relatively new to Chicagoland. In fact, we found only one location that offered the service, and it was nearly impossible to find a physician willing to go on record as to the benefits or side effects of steaming hot air around your lady parts because so many hadn’t heard of it. But the practice is common in Central and South America, and in Korea as a treatment for reducing stress, fighting infections, helping with fertility and hemorrhoids, providing relief from menstrual cramps and backache, and minimizing cysts.
Although it’s not a widespread treatment in the states, some people are definitely all for it. Isa Herrera MSPT, CSCS, author of Ultimate Self-Help Guide for Women Suffering from Chronic Pelvic and Sexual Pain and clinical director of Renew Physical Therapy Center in New York City said that the therapy is important for overall uterine health and vaginal health. “[The] steam works wonders on hemorrhoids [and] for women who are trying to have a baby either naturally or with assistive fertility therapy,” she said.
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There are some varieties, but Karydes shared what her treatment was like:
I experienced the chai-yok, the Korean version, at King Spa & Sauna in Niles, where the woman who administered the treatment extolled its virtues and explained that the steam boosts circulation to the pelvis and thereby opens you up to the healing properties of the mugwort and herbs.
Karydes reached out to some other doctors to get their opinion on whether or not there are medical benefits, and two hadn’t heard of it, but they did say that there could be some risks with burning or hygiene.
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Karydes concluded her story with a reflection on the unique process:
Would I return for a vaginal steam? The experience was definitely different from any other holistic treatments I’ve had over the years, and while I didn’t do it because of health issues, I did enjoy the heat, the fragrance of the herbs and the camaraderie since two friends and I did it together. It felt calming and enjoyable. I’m already searching for an excuse to return.
[Photo from flickr user Trey Ratcliff]
