Quite possibly the strangest spa trend of the moment? The vaginal steam bath. What sounds, well, completely bonkers, though, has been popular in Asian countries for years and it's now gaining steam (sorry, couldn't resist) here in the U.S. for its so-called health benefits. What is it, and should you try it?
Here's how the L.A Times describes the new spa trend of the moment: "Pungent steam rises from a boiling pot of a mugwort tea blended with wormwood and a variety of other herbs. Above it sits a nude woman on an open-seated stool, partaking in a centuries-old Korean remedy that is gaining a toehold in the West. Vaginal steam baths, called chai-yok, are said to reduce stress, fight infections, clear hemorrhoids, regulate menstrual cycles and aid infertility, among many other health benefits. In Korea, many women steam regularly after their monthly periods."
In fact, some woman swear by vaginal steam baths--saying they help reduce depression and help with fertility. LA resident Niki Han Schwarz told the LA Times that it worked for her. After five steams, she had fewer aches and pains and went on to get pregnant at the age of 45, after three years of trying to conceive. She and her husband, an orthopedic surgeon, are now determined to introduce vaginal steam baths to Southern California women. Their Santa Monica spa, Tikkun Holistic Spa, offers a 30-minute V-Steam treatment for $50, reports the LA Times. And, lest you think this is just a female thing, the spa is offering a similar treatment to men, to steam their southern regions.