What Is Peristeam? (And Why You Might Want to Know)
A gentle reintroduction to a long-standing practice.
This post is part 1 of a 6-part blog series on Peristeam and Pelvic Health.
Explore the full series below.
(You’re also welcome to visit our Pelvic Health overview page for more context.)
What Is Peristeam? (And Why You Might Want to Know) (you’re here)
Steaming Your Way to a Better Period (coming soon)
The Slow Yes: Peristeam for Fibroids, Cysts, and Beyond (coming soon)
Peristeam for Teens’ Menstrual Wellness (coming soon)
Peristeam and Mind-Body Integration: Healing from the Inside Out (coming soon)
Before You Steam: What Every Curious Pelvis Owner Should Know (coming soon)
A beginner-friendly introduction to peristeam, its historical and cultural roots, and why it’s gaining renewed interest as a gentle, holistic support for pelvic and gynecological health. Gently clears up common myths and prepares readers to dive deeper in future posts.
A Quiet Option You May Not Have Heard Of
With all the medical advances we have, it’s easy to assume we’d have pelvic and menstrual health all figured out by now. But many people still feel like their concerns aren’t taken seriously—or that their options are still limited to medications, surgeries, or being told to “just live with it.” Sound familiar?
Lately, more people are seeking gentler, body-honouring ways to care for their reproductive health. They want options that feel nourishing, not invasive. That’s where peristeam comes in. It’s not new, and it’s not flashy, but for the right person, it can make a big difference.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body, mind, and spirit aren’t separate. They’re one. Each organ plays a role in a much bigger picture. Just treating the symptoms or removing a body part doesn’t always get to the root. Peristeam works gently with the body’s natural rhythms to support healing from the ground up.
What Is Peristeam, Really?
Peristeam (AKA. vaginal steaming or yoni steaming) is a self-care practice where warm (not hot) herbal steam is directed toward the perineum to support healing in the pelvic region.
This practice has deep roots. Across many cultures and continents, versions of steaming were passed down through families as a way to care for the body after birth, before menstruation, or during times of pelvic discomfort.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), peristeam fits naturally into a system that sees the body as interconnected and cyclical. The uterus is considered one of the “Extraordinary Organs”, closely linked to the Heart, and shaped by emotions, diet, lifestyle, and the natural environment around us.
It is often done at home as a form of self-care. it takes only 10-30min of your time, once a week, or sometimes, a few days before or after the period. It is a great opportunity to just sit, relax, and connect with your body while gentle deep healing is happening.
Why Haven’t You Heard of This?
If peristeam is so helpful, why isn’t it more well-known?
Historically, peristeam was a home practice that was passed down through generations. But with the rise of modern gynaecology, many traditional, home-based practices faded into the background.
Western medicine tends to prioritize interventions like surgery or pharmaceuticals because,,, did you know that gynaecology is a division of surgical practice? While these have their place, gentler approaches like peristeam often get overlooked—or dismissed entirely.
It’s also true that some people have had bad experiences with peristeam. Usually, that’s because they weren’t shown how to do it properly. Like any therapy, guidance matters. Think of it like cutting vegetables: if no one teaches you how to handle a knife, you might get hurt, but the problem isn’t the knife, it’s the lack of training.
Common Reasons People Try Peristeam
Here are just a few of the reasons people seek out peristeam:
Menstrual pain or cramps
Irregular or difficult cycles
Endometriosis, fibroids, or PCOS
Excess vaginal discharge
Postpartum healing
Pelvic discomfort or pain
Emotional reconnection after trauma or disassociation
Wanting to feel more at home in your body, and more!
What It Isn’t
Let’s clear up a few things. Peristeam is not:
About “cleansing” or fixing your vagina
A spa trend or gimmick
Appropriate for everyone, all the time (which is why proper guidance matters)
Why It Matters Now
There’s a rising interest in care that is:
Gentle and non-invasive
DIY-friendly and accessible
Rooted in body-wisdom
Grounded in tradition but relevant today
Peristeam offers all of that.
It honours your body’s ability to heal. It invites you to participate. It respects the connection between physical and emotional health. And it doesn’t require surgery or synthetic hormones to make a difference.
What’s Next in the Series:
We’ll explore how peristeam supports menstrual health and why so many people find it helps them experience their cycle with less pain, more ease, and a deeper sense of connection.