A woman who voluntarily inserts anything into her vagina, for something other than menstrual or sexual reasons, is going to cause quite a stir. Especially, if she puts a video of herself pulling it out or "after" photos on social media. Womb detoxing, by way of tiny bags of herbs commonly called yoni pearls, vaginal pearls or herbal tampons, is becoming more popular among women looking to cure fibroids, PCOS, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Some companies also claim that their products will aid in the removal of ovarian cysts, thrush, and endometriosis.
However, most of the “Womb Warriors,” as some distributors refer to themselves, are not gynecologists, nor any kind of medical professionals for that matter. In fact, some gynecologists, like Dr. Jean Gunter, speak against using at-home womb cleansing techniques to detox your womb and warn women that certain products lead to TSS or toxic shock syndrome. Many of the Womb Warriors post their clients' testimonies alongside graphic images of their discharge, released after the cleanse. But, Dr. Gunter regards these images as photographic evidence that the herbs are causing more harm than good.
“The vagina makes excess discharge when there is A) irritation, B) infection, C) absence of good bacteria,” Dr. Gunter wrote in a recent blog after seeing a photo of womb cleansing pearls on her social media timeline.
READ: Decoding Your Vaginal Discharge
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These images are causing quite the reaction from women. Some women are eager to try it while others think it's dangerous and best left to gynecologists and fertility clinics. Nevertheless, brands like Yoni Pearls, Embrace Pangaea and Dinqnesh Pearls continue to grow amidst the controversy.
Womb Cleansing
Womb cleansing techniques have been practiced for years, but as with most things, celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian have made old practices the new trend. Two of the more popular methods of womb cleansing are the yoni pearls and herbal tampons, which consist of inserting them into the vagina and leaving them in for three days. After they are removed, most women experience a thick mucous or tissue-like discharge. Some of the herbs included in the cleanses are rhizoma, osthol, and borneol.
READ: 3 Herbs To Detox Your Uterus
Dr. Eden Fromberg, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, recently told Shape magazine the herbs used in womb cleansing products can be helpful. But, she questions the quality of the herbs. “What you're buying off the internet isn't the same recipe or quality as what an herbal medicine practitioner would give you,” she said. Dr. Fromberg also warns that using these cleaning methods may be removing good bacteria, which can result in vaginal infections.
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Another physician, Dr. Erika Feuerstein, said, “Womb detoxes are a definite no-no, just like douching, which we suggest women never do... Putting these pearls in the vagina will likely cause an infection and increase vaginal discharge,” in her interview with the National Post.
Though many medical physicians warn against using womb cleansing products, there are no studies to prove how effective or harmful they are. Companies, like Embrace Pangaea, believe allegations of TSS are brought up to dissuade women from purchasing holistic products, which have been said to threaten the pharmaceutical industry. But even Embrace Pangaea encourages their clients to consult with a licensed healthcare professional before purchasing.
Womb Wellness
For many women, overall womb wellness is a spiritual journey in which they study the metaphysical functionality of crystals. Among those women, the more popular approach to womb wellness is inserting a yoni egg, or egg-shaped crystal, into the vagina, where it's said to absorb and transmit energy. They can also use the yoni egg by placing on the skin, near the womb, during meditation.
READ: Don't Just Heal Your Broken Heart, Heal Your Spirit
Chartreuse Tembo Barriere, the founder of Age of Eleven, is the author of “The Yoni Egg Shadow Integration Workbook,” a 28-day astrological guide through the journey of womb wellness. In her workbook, she focuses on astrology, chakras, sound healing, meditation, breathwork, and daily exercises.
“There is a metaphysical cause for every disease," said Barriere. The majority of her clients are troubled with issues like self-love, sexual trauma, and mental clarity and direction. Women choose a yoni egg-based off of a stone's properties. For instance, the rose quartz stone is used to make oneself available for all forms of love. Barriere says it is normal for women to experience discharge after removing the yoni egg. But unlike some products, the discharge is more of an “increased wetness” instead of a thick mucous or tissue.
READ: How To Keep Your Vagina Healthy & Happy
Barriere, who has never used womb cleansing pearls, said she hears mixed reviews on the womb cleansing techniques from her clients. Still, she supports any woman who seeks guidance on womb wellness because “every woman can benefit from being aware of their womb center.”
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Ask your doctor
Do a thorough research and contact a licensed medical professional prior to using any of the womb cleansing products.
