Since Gwyneth Paltrow made vagina steaming a “thing”, describing it as “an energetic release that balances female hormone levels” on her wellness website Goop, I’ve noticed the vagina health phenomenon gain traction.
Chrissy Teigen shared a snap of herself having a “v-steam” and more recently Kourtney Kardashian was filmed visiting a specialist LA spa on her family’s reality show, trying out the treatment to aid her fertility. And like with any new trend, some have taken it a step further.
There’s the “O” shot, an injection which claims to improve women’s orgasms for a hefty £1,000 price tag; a laser to “tighten” and “rejuvenate” the vagina; £50+ jade eggs that Goop encourages women to insert to get “better connected to the power within”; and vaginal sunbathing.
I wasn’t willing to give those things a go. However, less extreme options for a bit of self-care down there include the vajacial and the womb rub (more on my experience of those later!) with the aim of solving a range of health problems, from fertility issues to menopausal dryness.
Showing your intimate body part some TLC doesn’t have to be a vanity project, which was what the vajazzle was all about (that had a real moment in 2010 and involves sticking gems on your privates!) – it’s more about boosting your health and wellbeing. Like most US fads, vagina wellness has crossed the Atlantic and now some of us “regular” Brits are cottoning on to the potential benefits.
Google searches for the vaginal steam treatment tripled in a year and growth of 33.7% is expected in the vaginal rejuvenation market over the next three years. To cope with demand, a few spas are offering treatments. And the first one dedicated to the vagina has opened in the UK – East London’s YoniLuv, founded by certified practitioner Nadine McLean.
Nadine explains that despite seeming a modern concept, the custom of vaginal steaming is centuries old and was practised in parts of the world including Asia, Africa and South America. “We’re taking tips from our ancestors that can still benefit us in the modern day,” she says.
She refers to the vagina as yoni (which in Hinduism is the symbol of the goddess Shakti, who represents the greatest feminine power) and has women of all ages and backgrounds visiting her spa.
Nadine tells us, “I’ve welcomed mothers and daughters to have conversations about puberty and seen them bond over the experience, as well as women seeking help on their journey to become mothers and menopausal women in their sixties needing support.
“My passion has always been to develop a culture for self-care and self-love by empowering, educating and supporting women on their journey. I do this through holistic treatments and traditional practices centred on yoni health. Practising feminine self-care in this way is not only important, it’s transformative and allows women to be in control of their own wellbeing. I see women come in timid and leave feeling empowered.”
Intrigued, I booked a treatment. I’m not shy about my body. I’ve had Hollywood waxes for over a decade, so I was sure I wouldn’t be fazed. However, as with all things new, I was still apprehensive.
Luckily, the atmosphere at YoniLuv is extremely Zen and relaxing. Upon arrival, I was given a cup of womb detox tea, with ingredients like Chinese wolfberry and peony flowers. I was then talked through my treatments. Nadine explained it would be an uplifting experience and I shouldn’t worry.
We began with the popular Yoni steam (£45). Nadine left the room, allowing me to remove the bottom half of my clothing and put on a large cape. I then sat on a box with a hole in it – like a much more aesthetically pleasing version of a portable loo!
As classical music played, the steam, consisting of water mixed with herbs, began rising up towards my vaginal area. It was a weird sensation but in no way an unpleasant one. Soon, the steam was condensing back into water after making contact with my skin, which left me feeling slightly ticklish down there but, ultimately, gloriously calm as a warm sensation washed over me, sending me into a pure relaxation zone.
“The steam is absorbed into the reproductive system, where it helps to nourish and cleanse the vagina, the canal and womb,” explains Nadine. “I’ve seen women who do this monthly benefit from more regular menstrual cycles, fewer cramps and increased fertility. It can also help with issues that arise during and after menopause when the decrease of oestrogen can cause vaginal dryness, irritation and reduced sex drive. Yoni steaming can rebalance those moisture levels and the herbs can have a wonderful therapeutic effect.”
But Dr Shirin Lakhani of Elite Aesthetics warns, “The skin in the area around your vulva is very sensitive and delicate. You could burn yourself by steaming and also disrupt your natural pH and potentially cause bacterial vaginosis.” She also says vaginas are “self-cleaning” and need little more than a daily wash with water.
Nadine concedes there can be negative repercussions – but says they are very rare. I’m happy to report I didn’t suffer any side-effects and felt con dent ahead of my penultimate treatment, the womb stimulation rub (£60).
With my underwear back on, Nadine gently massaged my lower belly using castor oil. After 30 minutes, I was almost snoring. She warned it may affect my menstrual cycle – and sure enough, the next day, I started my period three days early. I don’t know if this was a weird coincidence or the power of her hands.
Proceedings concluded with a vajacial (£70), basically a facial for the external parts of the vagina. Nadine gently removed ingrown hairs and dead skin cells. I must say, I was impressed with how good she made it look down there.
My whole experience was surprisingly relaxing and as I left I felt like I was privy to a slightly strange but magical secret, which made me feel all glowy inside. I had done something totally for me and nobody else could tell – maybe that’s the true beauty of visiting a vagina spa.
Nadine says, “Finding just even an hour for intimate self-care, as part of your routine, can have huge benefits and should be viewed in the same way as having a manicure or getting your hair done. It’s time women understood that putting ourselves first is not selfish – it’s self-full.”
If you’d like to visit Nadine’s spa, the details are at yoniluvjourney.com. Find out more about Dr Shirin Lakhani at elite-aesthetics.co.uk
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