Sauna Safety for Women: After Giving Birth, a C-Section or During Your Period

FM

Medically reviewed by

Dr Fatimah Mustafah

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

• M.D (UKM)
• M.O&G (Universiti Malaya)
• MMC 27460
• NSR 134372

Written by

Roseville Spa Team

Women therapists at Roseville Muslimah Spa, Bangi Gateway

Updated 30 October 2026 19 references

Disclosure: Dr Fatimah is one of Roseville’s owners.

What is a sauna good for? What the research says

In a hot, dry sauna, your pulse can jump by 30% or more and you can sweat out about half a litre in a short session (Harvard Health).

A systematic review (Hussain & Cohen, 2018) of 40 studies found some effects, such as lower blood pressure in certain patient groups. But many studies were small, only 3 of 13 trials had a low risk of bias, and long-term data come from observational studies of Finnish men.

The authors found too little evidence to recommend saunas for specific conditions. Treat a sauna as rest and comfort.

Infrared sauna vs traditional sauna: temperature

A traditional Finnish sauna usually runs at 80°C to 100°C. An infrared sauna uses infrared emitters without steam and runs cooler, at about 45°C to 60°C (Hussain & Cohen). Cooler is not risk-free: you still heat up and sweat. Our spa has a far-infrared sauna.

How long, how often, and how to use a sauna safely

Harvard Health advises no more than 15 to 20 minutes. New to it? Start with a shorter session.

• Drink water beforehand, and two to four glasses afterwards (Harvard Health). Skip a heavy meal just beforehand.
• Skip it when ill, and avoid alcohol and medicines that affect sweating.
• Stand up slowly: blood pressure can drop and make you dizzy (NHS).
• Cool down gradually. Get out at once if you feel dizzy, sick or your heart races.

Can I use a sauna every day?

We found no official limit. Studies ranged from weekly to daily use, but data on Finnish men going 4 to 7 times a week say little about women or new mothers.

Can I bring my phone into the sauna?

We advise against it. Singapore’s Consumer Product Safety Office advises keeping lithium-ion devices away from heat and moisture, as batteries can overheat. The spa is shared with other women too, so never take photos there.

Is a sauna good for weight loss?

No. The scales may show less after a session, but that is mainly sweat. Hussain & Cohen note that sauna facilities, infrared included, often claim weight loss, but rigorous evidence is scant.

Never sweat off weight on purpose, for example in a sauna suit. The CDC reported that three US college wrestlers died in 1997 after cutting weight with vapour-proof suits, exercising in the heat and limiting fluids.

Sauna during your period: good or bad?

We found no medical guidance telling healthy women to avoid saunas on their period. Use a pad, tampon or menstrual cup, and sit on a towel.

Heavy periods commonly cause iron deficiency anaemia, with tiredness, breathlessness and palpitations (NHS). If that sounds like you, skip it that day.

For cramps, the NHS suggests a heat pad or a warm bath. We found no studies on saunas for period pain. See a doctor if periods become more painful, heavier or irregular.

Sauna after giving birth or a C-section: how soon?

No official guidance gives a specific week. Bleeding after birth lasts a few weeks, and the NHS advises pads, not tampons, until your 6-week check. For swimming, it says wait 7 days after bleeding stops.

After a C-section, you may need to wait about 6 weeks before exercising (NHS), and Australia’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says the body needs at least 6 weeks to mend.

Our cautious approach: wait until bleeding stops, stitches or wounds have closed, and your doctor agrees at your postnatal check (6 to 8 weeks). This covers infrared saunas and steam rooms, so 4 weeks after birth is usually too early.

Did you have high blood pressure during pregnancy? Ask your doctor, as pre-eclampsia can develop weeks after birth (NHS). See our C-section guide and herbal bath guide.

Can I use a sauna while breastfeeding?

We found no studies on this. Making milk uses extra fluid, so drink more than usual (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby), and keep a drink beside you when you feed (NHS).

Pregnant women

Avoid overheating, especially in the first trimester. In a 2019 systematic review of 12 small studies, a 70°C dry sauna for up to 20 minutes did not raise core temperature to 39°C, the level linked to risk for the baby. Ask your doctor, and see our prenatal massage guide.

Who should avoid a sauna or ask a doctor first?

Hussain & Cohen note that half or more of reported sauna deaths involved alcohol. Never use a sauna alone.

Muslimah sauna in Bangi: Roseville Muslimah Spa

Roseville Muslimah Spa at Plaza Bangi Perdana, Bangi Gateway, is open to all women, with female therapists and a private space. The far-infrared sauna is on the à la carte menu and an option in the Essential and Signature sessions (women’s spa). Spa sessions are for comfort, not for treating illness.

Confinement packages of 7 days or more include a body scrub or sauna (package prices); choose the scrub until your doctor clears you. The Pantang Closing Package includes a sauna. The 6-month spa membership gives one session a month, a nice gift for your wife. Or book a free villa visit.

Warning signs: get out and get help

Get help if you notice any of these (NHS: heatstroke, chest pain, bleeding after birth):

For heat exhaustion, rest somewhere cool, drink water and cool the skin. Still unwell after 30 minutes? It may be heatstroke: call 999 (NHS). Roseville is not a clinic and does not assess health.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor. Roseville is a confinement care centre and women’s spa, not a clinic or hospital. Spa sessions, including the sauna, are for comfort, with no promise of health results. For any health concern, please see a doctor or registered health facility.