What Not to Put in Your Vagina

Jade Eggs or Yoni Eggs

Are you wondering about jade eggs, also known as yoni eggs and whether inserting them into the vagina is a time-honored tradition?  The answer is an absolute no. Putting egg-shaped gemstones into your vagina is not an ancient Chinese tradition. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, then how about Dr. Jen Gunter, an obstetrician/gynecologist who became annoyed at the wild claims made about this practice at the expense of women’s vaginal health and science. 

She teamed up with an archeologist, and after studying 5000 jade objects in four major Chinese art and archeology databases there were no vaginal eggs to be found. “There is zero evidence they are ancient and zero evidence they are effective and we have no idea how to clean them,” Gunter said. “Women are free to make whatever choices they want with their bodies, but having accurate information is what allows them to make empowered choices.”

Like many healthcare providers I know, I’m spending a lot of time clearing up misinformation and helping women find accurate information they can trust. When I first heard about Jade eggs I couldn’t believe what I was hearing; and then realized that when there’s not enough reliable information available people will grasp on to whatever sounds good, and unfortunately spend too much money on products that don’t work.

Look, I get it, as women, we might feel attracted to the mystical and magical and want to use things that feel aligned with our spiritual and existential beliefs. But we also want something that actually works and is not made-up marketing designed to relieve us of our hard earned money. 

Part of the marketing approach when promoting these types of products is to combine a hint of physical benefits with vague promises of spiritual or sexual wellness. Connecting this to an ancient practice, Chinese or Hindu, adds to the appeal. They have also connected the use of the eggs to an excellent exercise practice – the Kegel. The muscles you squeeze during a Kegel are the ones you’d use to stop urinating mid-stream. Once you get the feel of it you can contract and release these muscles as an exercise to keep your pelvic floor muscles strong, avoiding the leaks that can happen when we sneeze! The eggs allegedly improve this exercise by giving you something to press against.  

In the Ob/Gyn community, we have been using small round Ben Wa balls or vaginal weights to help women learn how to do Kegels, but these are a fraction of the cost of a jade egg.

Some Online Claims

• (My favorite) “It gives you a natural facelift because when you strengthen and pull up the pelvic floor muscles, you create an energetic lift throughout the entire body, which even registers in your face. I have had clients stop using Botox after beginning their vaginal weight-lifting practice with a jade egg.”
• “It enables you to integrate your sexual energy into everything you do. And have stronger orgasms.” 
• “When women are disassociated from their vaginas, they are also cut off from the natural and enlivening flow of their sexual energy. When the vagina is brought back to life, that vital life-force energy is available to you to channel into all parts of your existence.”
• “Rejuvenate your vagina and restore your chi crystals to bring more positive energy into your vagina and reproductive organs.”

The company Goop, which popularized the egg, claimed they “balanced your hormones” and had positive effects on your menstrual cycle and bladder health. In 2017, Goop settled a lawsuit that required them to remove unproven health claims, and customers were told they could request a refund. However, at the start of 2020 the company was still selling jade eggs and the site included this statement, “Yoni eggs harness the power of energy work, crystal healing, and a Kegel-like physical practice.” Vague enough to not actually be a health claim.

Possible Problems with Vaginal Eggs

Contamination 

Though the surface of the egg feels smooth, it is porous, and covered with microscopic cracks and holes. Even though you think it is clean, bacteria could remain on the stone and be transferred to your vagina. If you have a vaginal infection, the egg could become a source of reinfection. 

Is it stuck?

Removing the slippery egg can be tricky and wrestling with it can push it further back against your cervix. There is no exit, however, so it can’t get lost. But vaginal tissues are very delicate and all that plucking and pulling could scratch and irritate. Some eggs come with a loop to attach a retrieval string.

Do not use:

• All night while sleeping
• When having your menstrual period
• When pregnant
• If you have an IUD

Ben Wa Balls and Kegel Balls

Ben Wa balls have a long history mostly involving their use for sexual stimulation. They come in marble size, or as wide as 2 inches, are weighted, and made of metal, plastic, or stone. More recently, these and various brands of Kegel Balls have joined the vaginal weightlifting marketplace. Again, beware of the types of materials used in these products. Low grade metals or plastics should not be used in your vagina!  There are high quality silicone sex toys available for vaginal insertion play. Those from a reputable source will not break, and are easy to thoroughly clean.  

Biofeedback and Smartphone Apps

If you want to go high tech, Biofeedback Trainers are available. These have to be inserted into the vagina, so regular cleaning is essential. Covered with soft silicone, they read the position and strength of your muscle contractions as you do your Kegel workout. They also have a tail for easy removal. A mobile app takes you through your workout and keeps track of your progress.

You can also just get a coaching app without any vaginal device that will keep you counting to a programmed routine and remind you of correct form.  

I’ve been recommending the Elvie System and the PeriCoach for years. They both use Bluetooth technology to help you see the strength of your pelvic floor muscle contractions

These are the app picks from Femina Physical Therapy:

Free Apps: 

Kegel Aerobics (Coach On The Spot Productions)

Kegeltunes (OriCo/Don O’riodan)

My PFF (SCA)

TAT (UMEA University)

Paid Apps

Kegel Talent Pro (Yunyu53)*

Kegeltunes Pro (OriCo/Don O’riodan)*

KPFE Pro (Joseph Williamson)*

Pelvic Floor And Kegel Exercises (Karen Barton)

Squeezy (Propagator, Ltd.)

*Free versions also received high scores

Good Old Do-it-Yourself Kegels

Zero equipment required, 100% safe and effective! Follow these quick steps to start Kegeling:

If you are a beginner, start by seeing how it feels to stop urination midstream. The muscles you contract to do that are your pelvic floor muscles. 

So now you can do these throughout the day. Squeeze for 3 seconds. Relax the muscles for 3 seconds.

Do three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions, three times a day.

If you are dealing with incontinence or sexual dysfunction, do talk to your healthcare provider. There are physical therapists that specialize in pelvic floor rehab.