Think Twice Before Putting a Yoni Egg in Your Vagina

Ooooh, crystals! If you’re the spiritual type, you may be intrigued by the idea of using yoni eggs: egg-shaped stones that go inside your vagina to promote sensuality, femininity and healing energy.

But take pause before putting these semiprecious stones — or much of anything, really — inside your vagina. Ob/Gyn Suchetha Kshettry, MD, talks about the risks of using yoni eggs and what to try instead.

What is a yoni egg?

Yoni is a Sanskrit word meaning space, source or womb, and although yoni eggs are thought to be Chinese in origin, research shows there is no historical evidence to confirm it. Today, the use of yoni eggs has been popularized by celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

Yoni eggs can be made of various kinds of stones, including jade, quartz and obsidian.

What does a yoni egg (allegedly) do?

Proponents of yoni eggs say they imbue the reproductive space with healing energy and that they have a variety of supposed health benefits. Yoni eggs are said to:

• Balance menstrual cycles.
• Foster urinary and digestive health.
• Increase libido and orgasms.
• Soothe menstrual cramps.
• Strengthen vaginal muscles.

However pretty and sparkly they may be, though, yoni eggs are not shown to have any scientific medical use.

“There’s no there’s no real research to support these benefits,” Dr. Kshettry confirms. “Putting a crystal egg inside your vagina doesn’t have a positive impact on menstrual cycle regularity or PMS.”

Are yoni eggs safe?

Most medical professionals agree that yoni eggs don’t have any medical benefits and, in fact, using them can actually harm your vagina.

“Any foreign body can negatively impact the function of your vagina, which can lead to increased risk of complications,” Dr. Kshettry says. She explains some of the risks of using yoni eggs.

Bacterial and fungal infections

Gemstones like jade and onyx are semi-porous, which means there’s space for bacteria to take up residence within them. Semi-porous materials are difficult to fully clean, too, meaning that bacteria may stick around and fester.

When you use yoni eggs, you also run the risk of scratching your vagina, which can also invite bacteria.

“Putting any foreign body inside your vagina can cause irritation, scratches or tears, and that is in and of itself harmful,” Dr. Kshettry says.

Toxic shock syndrome

Typically associated with leaving a tampon in too long, toxic shock syndrome is essentially a ramped-up bacterial infection that can lead to serious health issues and even death.

“Keeping anything inside your vagina for an extended period of time can increase your risk for toxic shock syndrome,” Dr. Kshettry says.

And again, yoni eggs can cause tiny cuts in your vagina through which bacteria can enter your bloodstream — which only increases your risk of toxic shock syndrome.

Damage to your pelvic floor muscles

Although pelvic floor training has been shown to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, using a yoni egg requires you to continually clench your vaginal muscles, which can actually cause harm.

“When you use a yoni egg, you’re not doing the contract-release-relax sequence that pelvic floor training requires,” Dr. Kshettry says. “That can lead to muscle spasms in your pelvic floor.”

Let your vagina do what it does

Just as doctors recommend against douching because it can change the pH balance of your vagina (which is a bad thing), using a yoni egg — or any foreign object — in your vagina can do the same.

“Your vagina is self-cleaning, so there’s not a lot that needs to be done down there to help keep it in balance,” Dr. Kshettry says. “All trends wax and wane, but when it comes to vaginal and reproductive health, less is more.”

In other words, leave your vagina alone. Unless you have a specific medical issue, there’s no reason to do much to your vagina at all — and if you’re having vaginal or pelvic pain, see a doctor.

Safe alternatives to yoni eggs

If sexual health is your goal, steer clear of vaginal crystals and turn to safer, medically approved means instead.

Try kegel exercises

“If you experience symptoms of a weak pelvic floor, including pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence, it’s really important that you see a specialist,” Dr. Kshettry says. “They can direct you in pelvic floor exercises that will be most helpful to you, and they may refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist.”

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, are a medically advised way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Doing so can:

• Improve orgasms.
• Prevent pelvic organ prolapse.
• Stop urine leakage and the accidental passing of gas and stool.

Find menstrual cramp relief

If you’re suffering from severe dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps, your gynecologist can check for underlying conditions such as ovarian cysts and fibroids and recommend helpful solutions to alleviate your pain. Options may include:

• Hormonal birth control.
• Medication, whether over-the-counter or prescription.
• Menstrual manipulation, such as an intrauterine device or hormonal arm implant.
• Stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

Again, speaking with your doctor is key. “If you have excessive cramps, PMS symptoms or other menstrual irregularities, have a conversation with your doctor about options to regulate your cycle and address other concerns,” Dr. Kshettry advises.

Address your overall sexual health

If you’re struggling with low libido, painful sex or an inability to orgasm, a doctor can help with all of that, too — in ways that a stone egg certainly can’t. Common causes may include:

• Endometriosis.
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
• Pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Psychological causes, such as anxiety and/or depression.
• Uterine fibroids.

Your doctor can help

If all of that guidance sounds like a broken record, it’s for good reason. The bottom line when it comes to sexual and reproductive health is that your doctor should be your first line of defense.

“Women’s health providers specialize in various aspects of women’s health. There are physicians who specialize in sexual health and wellness, mental health professionals with a focus on women’s health and subspecialists who are trained to address the various aspects of pelvic organ prolapse, abnormal bleeding and PMS,” Dr. Kshettry says. “It’s all about finding the right people to help.”