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	Return to main Sweat page MEDITERRANEAN BATHS Visiting the modern Hammam in Ankara and lstanbul Early Greek and Roman Batths Mass Bathing in the Balnea and Thermae The Islamic Hammam is Born The "'Turkish Bath" Visits Europe and America Private Sweat Bathing Cubicles FINNISH SAUNA A Visit in the Dead of Winter History of the Nordic Bath Sauna in Europe Sauna in Japan Sauna in America NATIVE AMERICAN SWEAT LODGE Joining Running Foot in a Navajo Sweat Lodge A Guest at an Oglala Sun Dance Ceremony History of Sweat Lodges Hot Rock Sweat Lodge Direct Fire Sweat Lodge Sweating Without a Sweat Lodge Origin of the Temescal The Temescal Today The Sweat Lodge Joins the Modern World RUSSIAN BANIA A Boisterous Bath in Leningrad History of the Great Russian Bath Bannik, the Spirit of the Bania The Birth Bania The Wedding Bania The Death Bania Health & the Bania The Bania after the Russian Revolution The Spreading Influence of the Russian Steam Bath SAUNA & HEALTH Sauna & Health Sweating Skin Heating & Cooling the Inner Body Positive Effects of Negative Ions Spirits of the Sweat Social Sweating USING THE SAUNA/ SWEAT BATH SAUNA/SWEAT SPICES PRECAUTIONS SPECIAL SAUNA CONCERNS FOR WOMEN BUILD YOUR OWN
			Special Sauna Concerns for Women ©1998 by Mikkel Aaland All Rights Reserved The sweat bath has special significance for women; a fact often noted in this book. During menstruation the sauna or other type of sweat bath can alleviate some of the cramp pain by relaxation and removal of excessive water caused by sodium retention. For the same reasons, sweat bathing is generally beneficial for healthy pregnant women. However, during cases of toxemia or complicated pregnancy a physician should be consulted before sweat bathing. Sweat bathing after childbirth relieves aching muscles, cleanses the body and gives the new mother needed privacy. Until she has recuperated from the ordeal of childbirth, the sweat bath should be kept at low temperatures. Menopause is another special concern of women that sweat bathing can ease. Primarily, sweat bathing helps by stimulating the autonomic nervous system, the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands and the ovaries. But some medical people consider menopause an elimination crisis which makes sweat bathing even more useful. The theory is that menstruation is more than just an elimination for the uterine lining; it is an eliminative cycle for the entire body. Upon cessation of the woman's reproductive cycle, the body must find other ways of ridding itself of toxic accumulations. While this adjustment is going on, uncomfortable menopause symptoms are felt. Sweat bathing, acting as a general toxic eliminator, reduces some of these distresses. RETURN TO TOP... NEXT CHAPTER... RETURN TO MAIN SWEAT PAGE