Gwyneth Paltrow & GOOP Want You To Steam Your Vagina

Whether you are pro-conscious uncoupling or find yourself grimacing at all things GOOP related, this is one piece of Gwyneth Paltrow advice you might want to think twice about before drinking the Kool-Aid.

On her lifestyle blog, Paltrow writes about Tikkun Spa in LA and, specifically, the “golden ticket” that is the Mugworth V-Steam. I’ll let Paltrow tell you herself what this is exactly…

“You sit on what is essentially a mini-throne, and a combination of infrared and mugwort steam cleanses your uterus, et al. It is an energetic release—not just a steam douche—that balances female hormone levels.”

And you thought steam cleaning was just for your carpets! Seems Paltrow thinks our uteruses could use a good old fashioned deep steam clean. For only $50 per 30 minute session, you too could have a squeaky clean uterus.

So what does this thing actually claim to do? According to the Tikkun Spa’s website, the Signature V Steam, “steaming treatment stimulates the production of hormones to maintain uterine health, aids regular menstrual cycles, clears up hormonal acne, promotes circulation, and helps correct digestive disorders.”

Oh and then there is the friendly reminder that any statements made about the V Steam haven’t been evaluated by the FDA. Nice.

Enter Dr. Jen Gunter, a board certified OB/GYN who has completed a 5 year OB/GYN residency and a fellowship in infectious diseases and is an expert in vulvovaginal disorders.

Dr. Gunter took her to her blog to add her two cents (which in this case, are worth a lot more than that of Paltrow, in my opinion). Her advice? Do not undergo this treatment.

Why?

“The vagina (and uterus and vulva for that matter) should be viewed as self-cleaning ovens,” says Dr. Gunter. “It’s a delicate garden, if you will. So one needs to be thoughtful, nay conscious about what one uses in said garden.”

Dr. Gunter says point blank that steam is not good for your vagina and that herbal steam might be even worse. She also points out there is no way the steam would ever reach your uterus from your vagina, “unless you are using an attachment with some kind of pressure and MOST DEFINITELY NEVER EVER DO THAT.”

So then how are we supposed to relax our stressed out vaginas? “If you want to relax your vagina, have an orgasm.”

Those are doctor’s orders, get it on ladies!