News
Virgina steaming detrimentalto health – Gynecologist
Woman having vagina steaming
A Specialist Obstetrician Gynecologist. Dr. Karen Renee Zu, has cautioned some vagina steaming to put an end to it because it could be detrimental to their l
The practice has gained prominence among women especially those who wed to sexual organ after having a baby or heal a cesarean section scar faster.
Others also engage in the act to cure ovarian cyst, fibroid, blocked tubes, deal with menstrual cramps, and detoxify the vagina among others.
This is usually done by mixing various herbs which are boiled or soaked in hot water which a woman is made to sit on naked to enable the steam go directly into the vagina.
But according to Dr. Zu, there was no need to steam the vagina after birth because the blood vessels of the womb could open up as a result of the heat and cause bleeding to death
She said the stitches could also fall apart if the person has an episiotomy or any other stiches
She said there was no proof that the practice worked or solved any of the problem for which they engaged in the act.
“There are so many claimed benefits like womb detox, clearing of ovarian cysts, shrinking of fibroid, hysterectomy, shorten menstrual periods, stabilise menstrual cycle, curing endometriosis and others which doctors can’t speak to,” she stated.
She said no trained obstetrician and gynecologist would make such recommendation to anyone.
Dr. Zu said it was a dangerous practice which could hurt a person in the process, adding that some have come with severe burns of their vagina as a result of the steaming.
She said the steam could damage the lining of the vagina and when that happened, healing could take a while and such persons had problems with vaginal dryness
“This can upset the acidity of the vagina. When this happens, risk of getting infections high. The steam kills the good bacteria in your vagina which survive at normal vagina temperatures. You will have problems with infections once they are dead,” she cautioned
She said in dealing with menstrual cramps, “one can drink something warm, place a warm water bottle or towel on your belly, add exercise to the daily routine or have sex before menses begin that would help reduce the pain associated with it,” she advised.
She explained that, if a person’s tubes were blocked, no amount of steaming would open them or make them more fertile.
“Such a person must see a fertility specialist to help,” she added.
According to her the womb does not need detoxification because it takes care of itself by shedding it lining monthly.
Steaming your vagina will not tighten it. It will not in any way balance your hormones. These two do not go together. If your tubes are blocked, no amount of steaming will open them or make you fertile. See a specialist for help. The cervix is always tightly shut except during menses and ovulation to prevent infections from getting into the womb. The herbs don’t get into the womb” she clarified.
Dr. Zu also denied claims that vaginal steaming shrunk fibroid, explaining that fibroids were very hard and could not be shrunk by vaginal steaming.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
