Vaginal steam treatments
No I haven’t turned this blog into the National Enquirer. (And sorry, no pictures today….)
During my research on another topic, an LA Times headline reading “Vaginal Steam-baths Find A Place in Southern California” caught my gynecologist’s eye… Being the scientist that I am, I had to investigate.
It seems a Korean custom of steaming the perineum with water infused with certain herbs has caught on at a few of California’s spas-and as is common, seems to be spreading at least to New York.
As described at the website of the Daengki Spa:
A feminine herbal steam treatment using a variety of
herbs to rid the body of toxins.This treatment is commonly
used for women trying to conceive, for menstrual cramps, bladder infections,
kidney problems, and more. It is a traditional Korean health remedy.
For best results, one treatment a month is recommended after menstruation.
California Bloggers Comment
I had to turn to my California Blogger friends for their takes on another area of West Coast leadership.
Kay Lynn, of The Bucksome Boomer fame was nonplussed.
“This doesn’t surprise me at all given that Hollywood was first into “bedazzling the vajayjay”.
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/13/jennifer-love-hewitt-beda_n_421751.html)
California leads the way in trends — good, bad and wacky.”
Len Penzo, at LenPenzo.com is quoted as:
“It sounds so therapeutic and refreshing, Dr. Dean, that it almost makes me wish I had a vagina. Almost.” 
And Nurse Kim, at Emergiblog:
“Oh, I’ll comment alright! Right after I recover from aspirating the lemonade I was drinking when I read the title! LOL!”
Dr Dean’s Concerns:
Before you say I have no cultural sensitivity, then don’t bother.
I know people all over the country don’t like grits or sweet tea-and that’s ok.
I know many of my patients use vaginal douches because their Grandmas told them to.
Many great American passions were brought here by other cultures:
- Sushi
- Salami
- Yoga
- Golf
But there are plenty of other cultural things that we in the USA have chosen not to buy into:
- Eating brains, dog, and beetles
- Men wearing skirts (transgendered aside)
- Genital Mutilation
But why this particular treatment is catching on is beyond me. It shows me that people are searching for the holy grail of “what makes them feel better”.
Placebo effects are extremely strong, so if you bare your bottom for an hour, get a steam-pot full of herbal tea directed down there, and actually pay money for it-you will probably feel better.
I wonder how long it will be before there is a lawsuit for steam bum burns, however. If McDonald’s can get hit with a million dollar verdict over a burned tongue, I wonder what a burned vagina is worth???
Another OB-Gyn in California’s (Dr Rankin’s) take- written @ BlogHer.
I don’t necessarily agree with her thoughts that this spa treatment may have real medical benefit. It is proven that the vagina is permeable to medicines through rapid absorption.
But it would seem impossible to actually deliver the herbs in question in a steam bath in enough quantity through the approximated vaginal walls, even while sitting on a toilet. IMHMO (in my humble medical opinion..
But, you are right, I don’t have one, and I haven’t done the study.
And finally, what does this have to do with personal finance? Mainly just the fact that people are spending their hard earned money in this way. Seems sad to me. If you want to feel better- go give that 25 bucks to Salvation Army, or the local library.
Comments, any comments here?
Tags: herbal vaginal steam treatments, vaginal steam baths, vaginal steam baths spa treatment
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lisa and Dr. Dean Burke. Dr. Dean Burke said: New Blog Post: Do What? Down There? http://bit.ly/gEndwh [...]
By the way, isn’t this also capable of causing yeast infections? Just food for thought.
Yes, those yeasty-beasties love warm moist environs… Great point.
And to think I was all fired up because I thought I had found a truly unique Valentine’s Day gift this year!
After reading your opinion, Dr. Dean, I think I’ll just stick to getting the Honeybee flowers and candy again this year.
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Maybe you can find something in between flowers and candy, and the special spa treatment….Although you have to admit, this would be a “unique” gift!
I’ll see what I can do, Dr. Dean!
Why do I have visions of a 2 am infomercial of an open commode with a hot mist vaporizer under it?
The Hot Mist Vagorizer, now for only $19.99. Act now and receive an extra supply of Vagiherbs for just shipping and handling!
Why go to a spa when you can get personal freshness right in your own home and humidify your air at the same time!
Smell fresh, breathe easier! Great for those women with COPD who worry about feminine freshness….
Sorry, I better stop while I’m (barely) ahead! : D
Kim, you want to go into business together? You got the commercial copy nailed…
[...] You never know what my fellow Californians will come up with and Dr. Dean from the The Millionaire Nurse Blog found a doozy. He asked some of us Californians on our thoughts on this new (and old) vajayjay treatment. [...]
Growing up with the influence of Finnish relatives, I am very familiar with how a ‘true’ sauna experience is like (e.g. does not include the use of infra-red technology). The fact that this spa treatment is described as a vaginal sauna is not entirely surprising given how most folks understand what a sauna involves. I think that if people adopted the traditional scandinavian approach to taking a sauna, they would discover they do not need to spend their hard earned cash on spa treatments, and, they would fell a how lot better. I agree, this is a nice marketing job!
Great point, Lori
I think a lot of people could save money with “home-made” spa treatments. It is all in “treating yourself to something special” rather than the treatment itself.
Hi Dr. Dean,
Although I do agree that the prices for this service are too high, vaginal steams have been used by many cultures for thousands of years to help relieve serious female pelvic pain disorders such as pelvic floor dysfunction, vestibulitis, vulvodynia, bladder pain, and more.
These syndromes are all extremely painful, often disrupt a womans sex life, some women are in so much pain that they can’t even sit down. Herbal vaginal steams help relieve that pain. Most women do steams at home, and yes, by placing a pot of steaming herb water into the toilet or by using special steam chairs.
Simply brushing off this valid technique for pain management solely as a money making scam, belittles the experience of women over thousands of years as well as the power of the steams to help women manage chronic pain. I would ask that you consult with women who have these painful syndromes, who do the steams regularly and inquire about the change in their quality of life and I bet you will surprised by their positive reports about how much better their quality of life is since they began steaming their lovely and (deserve to be pain-free) yonis.
Be Well,
Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac., Herbalist, Author
NY, NY
I would love to read a study to confirm your pain relieving benefits of the steam baths. I have treated many women with painful vulvodynia, and it is a debilitating condition.
But I was mainly poking fun at the faddish nature of those who go to Spa’s for these treatments, because it is the California thing to do.
Thanks for your input!
[...] Do What? Down There? [...]