Vaginal Wind Is Not Like Having Wind In Your Sails!

It is not uncommon for women to ask me about passing gas from their vaginas.  This situation goes by many names: vaginal farts, vaginal flatus, fanny farts, vaginal wind just to name a few.  The technical term is referred to as queefing.

What causes vaginal wind?

During sexual intimacy air is pushed into the vagina. Air enters the vagina not only during sex but also at the time of a speculum inserted into the vagina during a pelvic exam or with the insertion of a tampon. Air can also be pulled into the vagina during some kinds of exercise including Pilates.

If you push air in, it has to come out. And, as it escapes, it makes that characteristic sound of air coming out any small orifice such as the rectum. The difference is that vaginal wind does not have any odor like flatulence from the rectum which has an odor because of the methane gas in the colon.  Sometimes vaginal wind can happen right after the air’s been pushed in, sometimes it can be a while later when things like laughing, coughing or walking force the air out. 

Solving the problem

If you want to reduce vaginal wind during sex, avoid lots of deep and fast penetration. If you’re using sex toys with a wide girth you may want to avoid these if they’re making noise after they are inserted.

When to seek doctor’s advice

Fanny farts are very normal and not a sign there’s something wrong. However, seek medical advice if you have vaginal or abdominal pain during and after sex, notice your vagina smells bad, or there’s an unusual vaginal discharge. Particularly if you’ve recently had colorectal, bowel or gynaecological surgery, or have had a baby.

You also need a medical opinion if you’re leaking urine outside of urination, or notice fecal material inside your vagina as this might indicate a connection between the urinary tract and the gastrointestinal tract.

Bottom Line:  Vaginal wind is almost never a condition requiring treatment or therapy.  Yes, it may be a source of embarrassment but should be considered in a light hearted fashion and a source of humor not a hygienic problem.

Vaginal Farts-More Embarrassing Than A Problem

I often see several patients a year who have concerns about excessive vaginal wind. Sexual intimacy causes air to move in and out of the vagina and the air or vaginal wind is expected after these activities. However, some women describe the passage of loud air from their vagina at other times, and it is this random passage of air that is typically reported as distressing. During movement or coughing the air in the vagina is forced downwards. If the muscles at the vaginal opening part slightly to allow some air to escape, a noise may result often referred to as vaginal farts. The medical name is quaffing.

Vaginal farts are much more common than you may think. It’s just that people are too afraid to talk about it. It can happen with exercise, sex, and with sudden movements like getting out of a chair. First of all, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s just embarrassing. Vaginal farts are usually odorless.

To get rid of them, performing exercises like squats or Kegel exercises can strengthen the pelvic muscles and help keep the vaginal walls from expanding.

Bottom Line: Vaginal farts are a common but benign condition and no treatment is required. Just explain to your partner it is your vagina applauding the performance!