What is Pelvic Steaming for Uterine & Reproductive Health?

What is Pelvic Steaming for Uterine & Reproductive Health?
by Liz Martin

I’ve recently started offering Pelvic Steaming in my office. Also known as “vaginal steaming” and “yoni steaming”, I choose to call it “pelvic steaming” to be gender inclusive. I offer it as a complementary treatment for the Arvigo Techniques of Mayan Abdominal Therapy® (ATMAT), but is something most people can do.**

Pelvic steaming increases blood flow, nerve flow and lymphatic drainage in the pelvic area – 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, we are tapping into our bodies’ innate wisdom 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

Pelvic steaming starts with boiling and steeping herbs for the treatment. I use a gentle herbal blend, created by Michelle Castor of Agua y Sangre Healing, to tone and nourish the reproductive organs, while holding tender space for energetic and emotional healing of the womb space. This herbal blend includes red raspberry leaf, motherwort, rose, calendula, and lavender.

• Red raspberry leaf and motherwort are womb-loving herbs; they bring flow and move energy in the womb space, physically and energetically. They tone and nourish the uterus and encourage blood flow.  Both can help to decrease painful cramping.
• Motherwort is the mother’s herb. Energetically it supports the heart space, which can be helpful in supporting folks with PCOS, endometriosis, painful periods and fertility.  
• Rose supports self-love and has calming and uplifting qualities.  It also helps support healing emotional trauma that is connected to the womb 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.

Once the herbs have steeped in boiling water, the pot of herbs is placed in a pelvic steaming stool. My husband designed and built my stool out of white pine and finished it with a non-toxic sealant. I cover the lid with a hygienic barrier for each client.

The steam from the herbs lasts about 30 minutes. Clients undress from the waist down, sit on the pelvic steaming stool and wrap themselves in a blanket. They are left alone in the room during the steam. I encourage them to set an intention for their steam, focus on slow and deep breaths, and spend the time sending loving and healing energy to their womb space. I will have herbal tea waiting for them when they are done with the steam.

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. You can do your steams in my office, or you can purchase herbs to do your steam at home – I’ll send you home with instructions!

** 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

Through June 20, 2019 (it’s Gemini Season, woo woo!), I’m offering $10 off in-office pelvic steams (regularly $50) plus I’ll give you some herbs (and instructions) to do a steam at home. Purchase your Pelvic Steam Special HERE. Please call me with any questions before booking your pelvic steam!