Gwyneth Paltrow is doling out controversial vagina advice (again)

In 2015 she recommended that readers of her lifestyle website steam-clean their vaginas. Now Gwyneth Paltrow is back in the news after a gynecologist described her latest life-enhancing product, a pair of jade eggs designed to be worn inside the vagina all day, as 'garbage'.  In an open letter to The Goopster, gynecologist Dr Jen Gunter slammed both the star's decision to sell the $66 'Yoni' eggs to unwitting readers and her suggestion that they 'increase chi, orgasms, vaginal muscle tone, hormonal balance, and feminine energy in general'. Dr Gunter writes: 'I read the post on GOOP and all I can tell you is it is the biggest load of garbage I have read on your site since vaginal steaming,' The doctor explained that while she feels women 'have more compelling health interests right now', she had been asked by so many people about Gwyneth's 'vaginal rocks' that she felt obliged to share her thoughts on the matter. 'It’s even worse than claiming bras cause cancer. But hey, you aren’t one to let facts get in the way of profiting from snake oil.' the doctor continues. 'My issue begins with the very start of your post on jade eggs specifically that “queens and concubines used them to stay in shape for emperors.” Nothing says female empowerment more than the only reason to do this is for your man! 'And then the claim that they can balance hormones is, quite simply, biologically impossible. Pelvic floor exercises can help with incontinence and even give stronger orgasms for some women, but they cannot change hormones. As for female energy? I’m a gynecologist and I don’t know what that is!? How does one test for it? Organically sourced, fair trade urine pH sticks coming soon to GOOP for $77 I presume?' And the notion that jade eggs can improve your sex life? 'Overenthusiastic Kegel exercises or incorrectly done Kegel exercises are a cause of pelvic pain and pain with sex in my practice,' Dr Gunter warns. 'Imagine how your biceps muscle (and then your shoulders and then your back) might feel if you walked around all day flexed holding a barbell? Right, now imagine your pelvic floor muscles doing this.' What's more, Dr Gunter says you should never, ever sleep with a jade egg in your vagina. Why? Well, it could kill you, essentially. 'I would like to point out that jade is porous which could allow bacteria to get inside and so the egg could act like a fomite.' she writes. 'This is not good, in case you were wondering. It could be a risk factor for bacterial vaginosis or even the potentially deadly toxic shock syndrome.' So there you have it; when it comes to wellness trends, speak to a medical expert before subjecting your vagina to anything dodgy, even if Gwyneth Paltrow tells you it's a good idea.