Gynaecology of ancient Egypt REVEALED: Vaginal fumigation with roast meat or rancid milk was prescribed as a remedy for severe hip pain 3,800 years ago

  • The woman, called Sattjeni, was found interred with a fire-damaged cup 
  • Was between her legs and thought to have been used to fumigate her vagina
  • Believed to have been prescribed as pain relief for a severe hip injury 

A gynaecological treatment from nearly 1,800BC has been revealed in the tomb of an ancient Egyptian noblewoman. 

The woman, called Sattjeni, was found interred with a fire-damaged cup between her legs – evidence of an ancient treatment whereby the vagina was fumigated.

Experts speculate that roast meat, herbs or rancid milk may have been used to smoke out the sexual organ of the high-ranking lady, based on a description of the treatment in contemporary medical papyri.