Definition:
Dampness is an imbalance where the uterus has excess mucus buildup. The excess mucus may just drain out as irregular discharge or it may buildup and get stuck in the ovaries, uterus or cervix.
Dampness is an imbalance where the uterus has excess mucus buildup. The excess mucus may just drain out as irregular discharge or it may buildup and get stuck in the ovaries, uterus or cervix.
Indicators/Body Signs:
-Irregular discharge (white, yellow, green, blood-tinted)
-Sticky menses
-Irregular discharge (white, yellow, green, blood-tinted)
-Sticky menses
Triggers (Aggravating Factors):
-Weak digestion
-Insufficient exercise
-Dampening foods (dairy, soy, pork, peanuts, concentrated sweeteners, processed foods, sugar, alcohol)
-Damp or moldy environments
-Weak digestion
-Insufficient exercise
-Dampening foods (dairy, soy, pork, peanuts, concentrated sweeteners, processed foods, sugar, alcohol)
-Damp or moldy environments
Related Emotions:
Worried
Worried
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment:
Irregular discharge itself is not considered abnormal in western medicine. Green discharge, however, is considered a sign of bacterial vaginosis and clumpy discharge is one of the signs of a yeast infection.
Treatment consists of pharmaceuticals – antibacterial and antifungal medications or creams and possibly boric acid suppositories.
Irregular discharge itself is not considered abnormal in western medicine. Green discharge, however, is considered a sign of bacterial vaginosis and clumpy discharge is one of the signs of a yeast infection.
Treatment consists of pharmaceuticals – antibacterial and antifungal medications or creams and possibly boric acid suppositories.
TCM:
The concept of dampness comes from Traditional Asian Medicine. The body is seen as having an internal climate. When out of balance the body may be overly hot or overly cold for example. In the case of dampness, the body is overly damp. Imagine a plant that has been over-watered and is droopy.
The concept of dampness comes from Traditional Asian Medicine. The body is seen as having an internal climate. When out of balance the body may be overly hot or overly cold for example. In the case of dampness, the body is overly damp. Imagine a plant that has been over-watered and is droopy.
Associated Risks:
Dampness causes the processes of the body to move slower than they should and can result in accumulations in the form of cysts, bumps, fibroids and so on.
When someone also has excess heat, dampness makes the body a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and viruses. Imagine a tropical climate where it’s hot and humid. This type of climate has lots of critters.
Dampness causes the processes of the body to move slower than they should and can result in accumulations in the form of cysts, bumps, fibroids and so on.
When someone also has excess heat, dampness makes the body a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and viruses. Imagine a tropical climate where it’s hot and humid. This type of climate has lots of critters.
Health Topics/Concerns:
-Infections
-Irregular Discharge
-Itchiness
-Thick Uterine Lining
-Cysts (PCOS, Ovarian Cyst, Vulvovaginal Cyst, Cervical Cyst, Paraurethral Cyst)
-Fibroids
-Group B Strep
-Infections
-Irregular Discharge
-Itchiness
-Thick Uterine Lining
-Cysts (PCOS, Ovarian Cyst, Vulvovaginal Cyst, Cervical Cyst, Paraurethral Cyst)
-Fibroids
-Group B Strep
Treatment Principles:
-Drain excess mucus
-Reduce excess mucus production
-Drain excess mucus
-Reduce excess mucus production
Steam Advice:
STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Very Effective. Dampness appears to be very responsive to steam therapy. Steam alone might be capable of naturally resolving the imbalance entirely.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Pelvic steam appears to drain out irregular vaginal discharge in the same way a face steam drains out nasal passages. Because irregular discharge houses harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses, clearing it out appears to be helpful not just resolving infections, but also preventing them from re-occurrence.
Vaginal microbiome researchers have also suggested that it’s possible that the temporary rise in temperature with steaming may help to kill viruses in the same way the bodies natural defense mechanism of a fever does this.
WHAT TO EXPECT
While steaming, it is common to see discharge clear out afterwards.
STEAM THERAPIST RECOMMENDATION
Yes. It is important to do an initial consultation and steam plan with a Peristeam Hydrotherapist if wanting dampness to fully resolve. It is recommended to have an initial consultation plus two follow up consultations. The follow up consultations should take place after each following period.
During the follow-up consultation the steam therapist will be able to read the menstrual cycle to determine if there is any leftover dampness and/or other imbalances and how to modify the steam plan and herbs accordingly. With dampness it is very common that the steam plan and herbs will change after the post-steam period.
DEDICATION TIME
One to three months with the guidance of a Peristeam Hydrotherapist.
Weekly steam maintenance after dampness resolves.
STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Very Effective. Dampness appears to be very responsive to steam therapy. Steam alone might be capable of naturally resolving the imbalance entirely.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Pelvic steam appears to drain out irregular vaginal discharge in the same way a face steam drains out nasal passages. Because irregular discharge houses harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses, clearing it out appears to be helpful not just resolving infections, but also preventing them from re-occurrence.
Vaginal microbiome researchers have also suggested that it’s possible that the temporary rise in temperature with steaming may help to kill viruses in the same way the bodies natural defense mechanism of a fever does this.
WHAT TO EXPECT
While steaming, it is common to see discharge clear out afterwards.
STEAM THERAPIST RECOMMENDATION
Yes. It is important to do an initial consultation and steam plan with a Peristeam Hydrotherapist if wanting dampness to fully resolve. It is recommended to have an initial consultation plus two follow up consultations. The follow up consultations should take place after each following period.
During the follow-up consultation the steam therapist will be able to read the menstrual cycle to determine if there is any leftover dampness and/or other imbalances and how to modify the steam plan and herbs accordingly. With dampness it is very common that the steam plan and herbs will change after the post-steam period.
DEDICATION TIME
One to three months with the guidance of a Peristeam Hydrotherapist.
Weekly steam maintenance after dampness resolves.
Helpful Practices:
-Change panties often and use pantiliners while discharge is draining
-Rinse irregular discharge off the skin (using spray bottle, bidet or shower) so that it does not irritate the skin
-Pre-Sex Hygeine (rinse with water and all-natural soap)
-Post-Sex Hygeine (urinate, rinse with water and all-natural soap, steam)
-Refrain from sex until infection and discharge resolves
-Herbal Soak
-Change panties often and use pantiliners while discharge is draining
-Rinse irregular discharge off the skin (using spray bottle, bidet or shower) so that it does not irritate the skin
-Pre-Sex Hygeine (rinse with water and all-natural soap)
-Post-Sex Hygeine (urinate, rinse with water and all-natural soap, steam)
-Refrain from sex until infection and discharge resolves
-Herbal Soak
Food Therapy:
Dampness Food Guidelines (cut back on sweets/dairy/alcohol, add in drying teas)
Dampness Food Guidelines (cut back on sweets/dairy/alcohol, add in drying teas)
Referrals:
Work with both a Peristeam Hydrotherapist and Acupuncturist simultaneously.
PERISTEAM HYDROTHERAPIST (Steam Therapist)
When working on naturally resolving dampness it is recommended to work with a steam therapist for one to three months.
ACUPUNCTURIST
When trying to resolve dampness acupuncture may be instrumental in: 1) moving excess dampness that is stuck throughout the body; 2) pinpointing which organ is throwing off the internal environment (it’s often the spleen and/or liver); 3) introducing customized internal herbal formulas that will help to balance out the internal climate and improve function of the organ that is under-performing. Recommended frequency of acupuncture treatment: Weekly for one to three months
Work with both a Peristeam Hydrotherapist and Acupuncturist simultaneously.
PERISTEAM HYDROTHERAPIST (Steam Therapist)
When working on naturally resolving dampness it is recommended to work with a steam therapist for one to three months.
ACUPUNCTURIST
When trying to resolve dampness acupuncture may be instrumental in: 1) moving excess dampness that is stuck throughout the body; 2) pinpointing which organ is throwing off the internal environment (it’s often the spleen and/or liver); 3) introducing customized internal herbal formulas that will help to balance out the internal climate and improve function of the organ that is under-performing. Recommended frequency of acupuncture treatment: Weekly for one to three months
