How Long Should You Sit Over the Steam?

Before you start steaming, you may want to know that although it looks simple, it has its rules. We should approach it with humility, take the effects of herbs and heat seriously, and consider them in relation to the anatomy and physiology of the female body.

It really is not “just” about sitting over a pot of herbs. The steaming procedure should be adapted to a woman’s health so that it is safe and can help her.

Can I sit over the steam for as long as I like, or are there rules?

If you have a healthy menstrual cycle length that roughly follows the lunar month and your periods are not too heavy, you can sit over the steam as you please, meditate, read or watch Netflix — whatever feels pleasant to you. If you tend to have shorter menstrual cycles (27 days or fewer) or heavier periods, a shorter steaming session lasting 10–15 minutes is suitable for you.

My recommendation is based on both practical reasoning and many years of experience. Heat causes blood vessels to dilate and increases local circulation — that is why we include steaming in our lives, is it not?

At the same time, this is precisely why we should be cautious with intense and prolonged warming, particularly before heavy menstrual bleeding or in cases of polymenorrhoea (short menstrual cycles). For women who have very heavy periods or short cycles, I would choose a shorter, gentler warming session with the Womb wellness blend and observe how the body responds. You may find that longer steaming sessions actually suit you, but I certainly would not start with them. Instead, I would patiently adjust the steaming to how you feel, even over several months.

With shorter cycles or heavier menstrual bleeding (hypermenorrhoea), it is important to consider that a woman loses blood more often or in greater quantities. And because menstrual blood is not a “different kind of blood”, but a loss that the female body must replenish, it makes sense to conserve it and rest during menstruation. Menstrual blood contains blood from the vessels of the uterine lining, so prolonged excessive bleeding can deplete iron stores and subsequently lead to anaemia. We take preventive steps against this by considering cycle length, bleeding and the herbal blend used when steaming.

Which herbal blend should I choose based on my cycle length and menstrual flow?

The Womb wellness blend for women with shorter cycles or heavier bleeding, and the Periodic Cleanse blend for a typical menstrual flow and usual cycle length.

Why is it important to track your cycle length?

Some women have regular periods, while for others the timing varies like a roller coaster. Sometimes a variation occurs even in women with regular periods, which naturally tells us that their body has responded sensitively to an event or tension in their life. Tracking your cycle using an app or menstrual calendar helps you put individual changes into context.

Steaming as preventive care

A woman who chooses to respect her body and its rhythm, slows down during menstruation, supports circulation in the pelvic area and allows the uterus to complete its cleansing after menstruation does not have to suffer from the unwanted effects of her period and may prevent further problems or conditions. This is, after all, why women have been steaming regularly over the long term, not only in developing parts of the world, where steaming is an inexpensive and readily available gynaecological procedure, but also in countries where the tradition has been preserved.

Before you start steaming, you should also familiarise yourself with the contraindications, choose a suitable herbal blend and a safe steaming aid.

And once you have read everything, all that remains is to sit over the steam, let your thoughts flow, turn your attention towards yourself and relax.

Superficial warmth rising from below may help relieve pain and tension in the pelvic area. It supports circulation, relaxes muscles and influences the processing of pain signals. Current research confirms its potential as a supportive, non-invasive method for pelvic pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42433975/

If you have any questions, write to me at monika@steamy.cz. I will be very happy to share my experience and offer advice.

Mgr. Monika Valová