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Risks
Jade Eggs vs. Kegels
Frequently Asked Questions
Research supporting this doesn’t match up to the hype. There is no evidence that jade eggs do anything helpful when placed in the vagina. There is actually some suggestion that they could actually cause infection, get stuck, and possibly damage the pelvic floor. In fact, in 2017, Goop was ordered to remove unfounded health claims about jade eggs from their website.
This article discusses jade eggs, their purported benefits, and the risks of inserting a yoni egg into your vagina.
Juan Moyano / Stocksy
Risks of Putting a Jade Egg in Your Vagina
Jade is a hard but porous material that has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history.
There are two different stones that are both referred to as jade—jadeite and nephrite. The first is generally considered to be a more valuable stone, although they are difficult for the untrained eye to tell apart.
Both are primarily made of silicates, SiO2, with varying contributions of other minerals. The variability in these other minerals and contaminants is why jade is available in so many colors and appearances.
Either type of jade can pose risks if made into a yoni egg for vaginal insertion.
Infection
The first potential risk associated with using a jade egg in your vagina has to do with its porosity. Jade is filled with microscopic (and less microscopic) holes and cracks. Bacteria can get into the stone and, when placed in your vagina, can potentially cause infection. If you have a vaginal infection and use a jade egg, you can potentially repeatedly re-expose yourself to something likebacterial vaginosis.
Jade is difficult to sterilize, and washing it is not a guarantee. If you feel you must use a jade egg, putting it in a condom before inserting it would substantially reduce the risk of infection. However, other risks may still be present, and the infection risk is likely higher the longer you leave the egg in.
Getting Stuck
A jade egg can also get stuck in your vagina. Although some jade eggs have a hole a string can be passed through to aid in retrieval, without that, there is a risk of the slippery egg getting trapped.
Having a retained object in your vagina may require a trip to the emergency room to get it removed.
Injury
There’s also the risk of scratching or otherwise injuring the walls of your vagina when trying to get it out.
Having an egg (or another sex toy) stuck in your vagina for an extended time can increase the risk of other health problems, such asdamage to the tissue between the vagina and bladder or rectum, which in very rare cases may require surgical repair.
Is Goop Still Selling Jade Eggs?In 2017, Goop settled a lawsuit that required them to remove specific health claims that had no or insufficient evidence, including claims about menstrual cycle control and bladder health.Purchasers could ask for a refund.Despite that, as of June 2022, the company is still selling jade eggs. The website includes this statement, “Yoni eggs harness the power of energy work, crystal healing, and a Kegel-like physical practice.“That’s not a specific health claim, but it also fails to acknowledge the potential issues with putting a jade egg in your vagina.
Is Goop Still Selling Jade Eggs?
In 2017, Goop settled a lawsuit that required them to remove specific health claims that had no or insufficient evidence, including claims about menstrual cycle control and bladder health.Purchasers could ask for a refund.Despite that, as of June 2022, the company is still selling jade eggs. The website includes this statement, “Yoni eggs harness the power of energy work, crystal healing, and a Kegel-like physical practice.“That’s not a specific health claim, but it also fails to acknowledge the potential issues with putting a jade egg in your vagina.
In 2017, Goop settled a lawsuit that required them to remove specific health claims that had no or insufficient evidence, including claims about menstrual cycle control and bladder health.Purchasers could ask for a refund.
Despite that, as of June 2022, the company is still selling jade eggs. The website includes this statement, “Yoni eggs harness the power of energy work, crystal healing, and a Kegel-like physical practice.“That’s not a specific health claim, but it also fails to acknowledge the potential issues with putting a jade egg in your vagina.
Is Jade Egg Use As Effective As Kegel Exercises?
One of the claims about jade eggs is that they can be used for “Kegel-like practices.” Kegel exercises areexercises used to strengthen the pelvic floor. When performed safely, and properly, they have a number of potential benefits for both men and women.
Putting a jade egg in your vagina is no substitute for performing Kegel exercises. These exercises involve learning to activate specific pelvic floor muscles. Those muscles are then clenched and released to build strength and control.
Kegels can reduceurinary incontinenceandrectal or fecal incontinenceThey can also help with certain types of female sexual dysfunction.
Pelvic floor training is often preemptively recommended for men undergoingradical prostatectomy for prostate canceras well as for pregnant women, as both prostate surgery and pregnancy can affect the health of the pelvic floor.
You do not need to insert a device into your vagina for Kegel exercises to have benefits, and even FDA-approved devices don’t necessarily improve the long term effects of doing Kegels. However, for some people, an inserted device can make it easier to perform Kegel exercises correctly.
Research shows that many people who think they know how to exercise their pelvic floor may actually not be doing so properly.
Fortunately, many healthcare providers are trained to help evaluate the pelvic floor to understand what weaknesses there are and how they can be addressed. It is possible for a gynecologist, physical therapist, or other trained provider to teach individuals to do Kegel exercises correctly. It may take just a single session.
You don’t need to buy a jade egg or anything else. That said, if you are considering buying a device to help strengthen your pelvic floor, ask your healthcare provider for advice on how to choose the best option for you. It’s also a good idea to check that any device you pick has been FDA approved.
Many people enjoy the experience of having something in their vagina. The trick is to do this safely. That means only inserting objects that are:
The best objects for insertion play are those with non-porous, easily cleanable surfaces like silicone, certain types of plastic, and stainless steel. The fact that they are non-porous means that they can be thoroughly cleaned and possibly even sterilized, depending on the material.
If you are using toys or other insertables that are not easily cleaned, or even just want to be extra cautious, you can always cover the objectwith a condombefore putting it in your vagina. This is particularly important for any sex toys you share with a partner. (You shouldn’t use expired condomsfor vaginal, oral, or anal partner insertion, but they work pretty well for this purpose.)
The second trick with insertion play is that you should only insert objects into your vagina if you will be able to retrieve them. Unlike anal play, an object can’t get “lost” in the vagina. It’s a closed cavity.
Still, leaving an object in the vagina for an extended period of time is not usually a good idea. That isn’t an issue for toys or objects that are designed to be inserted only partially into the vagina. However, for any object that will be inserted fully into the vagina, you should have a plan to get back out.
Tampons have strings to make them easier to remove. Menstrual cups are squishy and easy to grab. Many Kegel exercisers either have a string (or string-like object) attached or a hole where one can be inserted.
Object retrieval isn’t necessarily an issue for individuals with good pelvic floor control, who may be able to push a retained object out of their vagina. That may just not be a reasonable option for individuals using the object to build pelvic floor strength in the first place.
A Word From Verywell
If you are dealing with sexual dysfunction or incontinence, there are good options that can help. But using a jade egg is not one of them.
Talk with your healthcare provider, who may offer advice and refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist who can tailor a treatment program to your needs. The best option will depend on why you’re having difficulties, and sometimes a little in-office Kegel teaching will be all you need.
If you’re committed to using a jade egg, where you’re not certain of its safety and/or cleanliness, put a condom on it. Then remove the egg promptly after use.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. No scientific evidence supports the use of jade or yoni eggs to help with fertility.Despite marketing claims, yoni eggs are not safe to use—period. If you choose to use one, you should not sleep with it inside you. Longer insertion time can increase the chance of complications, such as infection.While inserting jade eggs into the vagina is purported to have been an ancient Chinese practice aimed at improving sexual health, a study actually found no evidence of this.
No. No scientific evidence supports the use of jade or yoni eggs to help with fertility.
Despite marketing claims, yoni eggs are not safe to use—period. If you choose to use one, you should not sleep with it inside you. Longer insertion time can increase the chance of complications, such as infection.
While inserting jade eggs into the vagina is purported to have been an ancient Chinese practice aimed at improving sexual health, a study actually found no evidence of this.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Donaldson JF, Tait C, Rad M, et al.Obstructive uropathy and vesicovaginal fistula secondary to a retained sex toy in the vagina.J Sex Med. 2014;11(10):2595-600. doi:10.1111/jsm.12575County of Santa Clara District Attorney.Goop, Inc. settles consumer protection lawsuit over three wellness products.Goop.Jade Egg | goop Wellness.Cleveland Clinic.Kegel exercises.Aydın sayılan A, Özbaş A.The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on incontinence problems after radical prostatectomy.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(4):1007-1015. doi: 10.1177/1557988318757242Kandadai P, O’dell K, Saini J.Correct performance of pelvic muscle exercises in women reporting prior knowledge.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2015;21(3):135-40. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000145Nguyen MT, Armstrong AA, Wieslander CK, Tarnay CM.Now anyone can Kegel: one-time office teaching of pelvic floor muscle exercises.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(2):149-153. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000671Gunter J, Parcak S.Vaginal Jade Eggs: Ancient Chinese Practice or Modern Marketing Myth?Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(1):1-2. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000643Additional ReadingBerghmans B.Physiotherapy for pelvic pain and female sexual dysfunction: an untapped resource.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):631-638. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3536-8Cohen D, Gonzalez J, Goldstein I.The role of pelvic floor muscles in male sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):53-62. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.001Dumoulin C, Hay-smith EJ, Mac habée-séguin G.Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(5):CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub3Kissler K, Yount SM, Rendeiro M, Zeidenstein L.Primary prevention of urinary incontinence: A case study of prenatal and intrapartum interventions.J Midwifery Womens Health.2016;61(4):507-11. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12420Lawson S, Sacks A.Pelvic floor physical therapy and women’s health promotion.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2018;63(4):410-417. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12736
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Donaldson JF, Tait C, Rad M, et al.Obstructive uropathy and vesicovaginal fistula secondary to a retained sex toy in the vagina.J Sex Med. 2014;11(10):2595-600. doi:10.1111/jsm.12575County of Santa Clara District Attorney.Goop, Inc. settles consumer protection lawsuit over three wellness products.Goop.Jade Egg | goop Wellness.Cleveland Clinic.Kegel exercises.Aydın sayılan A, Özbaş A.The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on incontinence problems after radical prostatectomy.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(4):1007-1015. doi: 10.1177/1557988318757242Kandadai P, O’dell K, Saini J.Correct performance of pelvic muscle exercises in women reporting prior knowledge.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2015;21(3):135-40. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000145Nguyen MT, Armstrong AA, Wieslander CK, Tarnay CM.Now anyone can Kegel: one-time office teaching of pelvic floor muscle exercises.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(2):149-153. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000671Gunter J, Parcak S.Vaginal Jade Eggs: Ancient Chinese Practice or Modern Marketing Myth?Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(1):1-2. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000643Additional ReadingBerghmans B.Physiotherapy for pelvic pain and female sexual dysfunction: an untapped resource.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):631-638. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3536-8Cohen D, Gonzalez J, Goldstein I.The role of pelvic floor muscles in male sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):53-62. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.001Dumoulin C, Hay-smith EJ, Mac habée-séguin G.Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(5):CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub3Kissler K, Yount SM, Rendeiro M, Zeidenstein L.Primary prevention of urinary incontinence: A case study of prenatal and intrapartum interventions.J Midwifery Womens Health.2016;61(4):507-11. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12420Lawson S, Sacks A.Pelvic floor physical therapy and women’s health promotion.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2018;63(4):410-417. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12736
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Donaldson JF, Tait C, Rad M, et al.Obstructive uropathy and vesicovaginal fistula secondary to a retained sex toy in the vagina.J Sex Med. 2014;11(10):2595-600. doi:10.1111/jsm.12575County of Santa Clara District Attorney.Goop, Inc. settles consumer protection lawsuit over three wellness products.Goop.Jade Egg | goop Wellness.Cleveland Clinic.Kegel exercises.Aydın sayılan A, Özbaş A.The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on incontinence problems after radical prostatectomy.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(4):1007-1015. doi: 10.1177/1557988318757242Kandadai P, O’dell K, Saini J.Correct performance of pelvic muscle exercises in women reporting prior knowledge.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2015;21(3):135-40. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000145Nguyen MT, Armstrong AA, Wieslander CK, Tarnay CM.Now anyone can Kegel: one-time office teaching of pelvic floor muscle exercises.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(2):149-153. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000671Gunter J, Parcak S.Vaginal Jade Eggs: Ancient Chinese Practice or Modern Marketing Myth?Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(1):1-2. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000643
Donaldson JF, Tait C, Rad M, et al.Obstructive uropathy and vesicovaginal fistula secondary to a retained sex toy in the vagina.J Sex Med. 2014;11(10):2595-600. doi:10.1111/jsm.12575
County of Santa Clara District Attorney.Goop, Inc. settles consumer protection lawsuit over three wellness products.
Goop.Jade Egg | goop Wellness.
Cleveland Clinic.Kegel exercises.
Aydın sayılan A, Özbaş A.The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on incontinence problems after radical prostatectomy.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(4):1007-1015. doi: 10.1177/1557988318757242
Kandadai P, O’dell K, Saini J.Correct performance of pelvic muscle exercises in women reporting prior knowledge.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2015;21(3):135-40. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000145
Nguyen MT, Armstrong AA, Wieslander CK, Tarnay CM.Now anyone can Kegel: one-time office teaching of pelvic floor muscle exercises.Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(2):149-153. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000671
Gunter J, Parcak S.Vaginal Jade Eggs: Ancient Chinese Practice or Modern Marketing Myth?Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2019;25(1):1-2. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000000643
Berghmans B.Physiotherapy for pelvic pain and female sexual dysfunction: an untapped resource.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):631-638. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3536-8Cohen D, Gonzalez J, Goldstein I.The role of pelvic floor muscles in male sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):53-62. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.001Dumoulin C, Hay-smith EJ, Mac habée-séguin G.Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(5):CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub3Kissler K, Yount SM, Rendeiro M, Zeidenstein L.Primary prevention of urinary incontinence: A case study of prenatal and intrapartum interventions.J Midwifery Womens Health.2016;61(4):507-11. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12420Lawson S, Sacks A.Pelvic floor physical therapy and women’s health promotion.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2018;63(4):410-417. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12736
Berghmans B.Physiotherapy for pelvic pain and female sexual dysfunction: an untapped resource.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):631-638. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3536-8
Cohen D, Gonzalez J, Goldstein I.The role of pelvic floor muscles in male sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):53-62. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.001
Dumoulin C, Hay-smith EJ, Mac habée-séguin G.Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(5):CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub3
Kissler K, Yount SM, Rendeiro M, Zeidenstein L.Primary prevention of urinary incontinence: A case study of prenatal and intrapartum interventions.J Midwifery Womens Health.2016;61(4):507-11. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12420
Lawson S, Sacks A.Pelvic floor physical therapy and women’s health promotion.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2018;63(4):410-417. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12736
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