Vaginal steaming, sometimes called v-steam, involves using steam—usually infused with herbs—to clean and refresh the vulva.

Vaginal steaming has been used around the world throughout history, especially in Asian and African countries, and is thought to be an aesthetic and healing treatment. Celebrity influencers like Gwyneth Paltrow popularized it in the United States in the last decade.

There is no evidence that vaginal steaming has benefits. Gynecologists typically recommend against practices that “cleanse” the vagina because they can disrupt the vagina’s natural bacteria balance and its ability to self-clean.

The basic principle in vaginal steaming is that you expose your vulva to steam for a period to cleanse and rejuvenate your genitalia. Although it’s called “vaginal” steaming, most of the steam affects your vulva and labia rather than entering the vagina.

The steam is often made from water infused with various herbs that are thought to be healing for the vaginal area. Natural oils are sometimes infused into the water as well.

Vaginal steaming involves removing your clothing from the waist down and then exposing your vulva to steam. You can do vaginal steaming at home, and some spas also do it. Going to a spa practitioner may ensure a safer steam experience.

There are various ways to perform vaginal steaming:

• Sit over a heat or steam source
• Squat over a bowl of steam and herbs
• Squat over a commode of steaming water and herbs
• Sit or hover over coal that has been sprayed with infused water

There is a lack of research on vaginal steaming and a lack of evidence of any benefits of the practice. However, many people advertise its benefits.

Some of the hypothetical benefits are that vaginal steaming:

• Results in a “fresher,” cleaner vagina
• Removes unpleasant vaginal odors
• Cleans away remaining menstrual blood
• Cleans away postpartum discharge (lochia) and rejuvenates the vagina after childbirth
• Improves the physical appearance of the vulva and vagina
• Increases sexual pleasure
• Tightens the vagina
• Strengthens and releases the pelvic floor
• “Detoxes” the vagina
• Relieves menstrual cramps
• Treats bladder infections
• Treats kidney issues
• Aids fertility problems

Vaginal steaming comes with several possible risks and safety concerns.

Using steam and heat near sensitive areas like the genitals poses a risk of burning the skin. Some case studies have reported second-degree vaginal burns from vaginal steaming activities. This is more likely to happen if you use very hot steam or get too close to the heat source.

In addition to the risk of burns, practicing vaginal steaming may increase your risk for vaginal infections. One study looked at the practice of vaginal steam baths with herbs among women in Suriname and whether vaginal steaming increased chlamydia infections.

Although this study didn’t find a clear association between vaginal steaming and chlamydia, the researchers noted that practices like vaginal steaming are known to increase the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, HPV, and trichomoniasis.

This may be because vaginal steaming and other vaginal cleansing practices deplete the vagina’s beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus sp. Bacterial balance is essential for maintaining vaginal health.

Vaginal steaming practices can be unsafe for the vagina because they can:

• Disrupt the vaginal microbiome
• Disrupt the vagina’s natural acidity
• Lead to infections
• Lead to vaginal irritation
• Lead to yeast infections
• Lead to bacterial vaginosis
• Lead to vaginal infections that can cause bacterial infections in other parts of the reproductive tract, like the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes
• Lead to pelvic inflammatory disease
• Dry out natural and necessary vaginal mucus and fluids

Practices like vaginal steaming aren’t typically helpful and may harm vaginal health. Steaming the vagina is also medically and hygienically unnecessary.

Vaginas are self-cleaning and are not dirty or in need of freshening. They can heal after cuts or other minor injuries and clear menstrual blood and postpartum discharge on their own.

The vagina has a naturally occurring cleaning system. Your vaginal mucus clears substances like blood, semen, and other fluids from the vagina. This appears as vaginal discharge, and the amount of discharge you have can vary. Your discharge may be thick sometimes and thinner or slippier at other times. It’s also normal for discharge to have a mild odor or a musky scent.

Products and practices that claim to detox or cleanse your vagina or vulva are unnecessary and often harmful. Vaginal steaming, douching, and other methods that involve exposing the vagina to cleaners or herbs can harm vaginal health. This is also true for aggressive internal or external washing methods.

Washing your vulva with warm water and, if desired, a small amount of mild soap is typically all you need to do to cleanse the area.

A few tips for keeping your vagina and vulva healthy include:

• Wash your vulva with warm water during a shower or bath
• Avoid washing your vulva with soap if you have a vaginal infection or sensitive skin, as soaps can cause irritation or dryness
• Never use scented vaginal sprays or powders
• Never use scented tampons or pads
• Dry and air out your vagina after bathing
• Don’t stay in wet bathing suits for long periods, as this can promote bacterial growth
• Wear breathable, cotton underwear
• Take precautions to prevent STIs, such as using condoms
• Clean any reusable vaginal products, like menstrual cups, diaphragms, and cervical caps, thoroughly after use
• Consider eating foods that contain probiotics, like yogurt; these can promote a balanced vaginal microbiome

Having an abundance of vaginal discharge can be normal as long as a foul smell or itching, burning, or other irritation don’t accompany it.

It’s also normal for your vulva to be composed of different colors, including light pink, dark pink, red, or brown. You may also have moles on your vulva. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with what is normal for you in terms of vaginal discharge and vulva appearance.

You should call your healthcare provider if you notice any changes to your vaginal discharge, vulva appearance, or if you are experiencing discomfort. The following would warrant a call to a healthcare provider:

• Swelling of the vulva
• Itching
• Burning
• New bumps that don’t go away
• Discharge that has an unpleasant smell
• Discharge that’s a grayish color
• Discharge that looks like cottage cheese and is accompanied by itching and discomfort

Vaginal steaming is the practice of using steam and herbs to “cleanse” or “detox” your vagina. Many cultures worldwide have used this practice, and it became popular in the U.S. through celebrity wellness influencers.

There is no evidence that vaginal steaming has any benefits. The practice may harm vaginal health by disrupting the balance of the vaginal microbiome, leading to vaginal irritation, and increasing the risk of infections. Steaming the genitals also poses a risk of vaginal burns.

You should talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about vaginal steaming or are considering trying the practice.