Chat with AHA!

Chat with Ask Healthshots

Chat with AHA!
Ask a Health Query Anonymously for FREE!

Vaginal farts: 7 normal reasons why women queef

Vaginal farts or queefs are completely normal and rarely a cause of concern. But if you're still wondering why they're happening to you, then read on.
Vaginal health
Vaginal farts or queefs are nothing to be embarrassed about! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Shreya Gupta Updated: 28 Feb 2024, 15:41 pm IST
  • 70

If you are reading this, chances are you have wondered, “Why does my vagina fart?” or “Why does air come out of my vagina?” It may seem strange, but vaginal farts are real, ladies! Also known as queefs, vaginal farts are nothing but trapped air.

To fart from your vagina is very natural. This is involuntary and cannot be controlled by you. When this air is released, it makes a farting sound, thus the name vaginal farts. A study, published in International Urogynecology Journal, states that vagina farts is common, but have no serious consequences. Around 72.1 per cent women reported it to be a little bother.

What causes queefing?

If you are wondering why do women queef, you should know that vagina farts are normal. They are involuntarily actions that sound like normal farts but don’t have an odour. And what causes queefing? Well, since it is not waste gas, it doesn’t smell! There can be multiple causes of vaginal farts or queef.

It may be embarrassing, but it is common. While it may have during regular activities as exercise or sex, queefing may even signal a medical condition sometimes. Let us know some reasons behind vaginal farts.

1. Sexual activity

When something is inserted in the vagina (like a penis, fingers or sex toys), it can trap air inside. The “in and out” movement for sexual pressure can also trap the air, which is then released as a vaginal fart when the sexual activity is done.

2. Pelvic floor problems

One of the major answers to why do girls queef is vaginal flatulence. This is not harmful, but trapped air can be a sign of some serious problems related to your pelvic floor. Vaginal farts are linked to conditions like urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. So, it is always advised to do pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.

vaginal farts
Do kegel exercises for strong pelvic floor muscles. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Use of tampons and menstrual cups can lead to vaginal farting

The use of feminine hygiene products like tampons and menstrual cups which are inserted inside the vagina, can also allow air to get trapped inside. The air is then released when the product is removed or while exercising or stretching in the form of a vagina fart.

Also, read: The struggle is real! Here’s why Indian women still resist tampons and menstrual cups

AHA - Ask Healthshots Anything
AHA - Ask Healthshots Anything An AI-powered chatbot to answer all your health-related queries Chat Now

4. Gynaecological procedures

Physical examinations and procedures during the vaginal examination can also allow air to enter inside the vagina where it can get trapped and subsequently released as vaginal farts.

5. Exercises and stretching

Any exercises that stretch out the pelvic area often opens and relaxes your vagina, allowing the air to enter. Hence, you might hear some vagina farts while you exercise.

6. Labour and childbirth

A study published in the journal ISRN Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that most cases of vaginal gas in women start after normal delivery.

vaginal fart
Thank god! Vaginal farts don’t smell. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Also, read: 5 unexpected ways your body might change permanently after pregnancy

7. Vaginal fistula

In case you have been experiencing vaginal farts for a while, you may be curious if vaginal gas can be a sign of anything serious. Sometimes, it may happen due to a vaginal fistula. It is a condition where an abnormal hollow chamber is created between two normally unconnected organs. It would be best to consult a gynaecologist.

How to prevent vaginal farts?

While you cannot control vaginal farts, you can reduce activities that can increase your chances of trapping air in your vagina. Whether it is avoiding queefs during sex or preventing vaginal farts during exercise, certain techniques may help.

When it comes to sex, reduced in-and-out movement of the penis, finger or sex toy can help you avoid queefs. You could also look at doing pelvic floor strengthening exercise in general to avoid air from making its way into the vagina and then out of it as a vaginal fart!

If you are doing yoga in a group, you could either avoid certain yoga postures that can induce a vaginal fart, or simply stop getting embarrassed about something as natural as a queef!

  • 70
About the Author

Finding nirvana in good food, Shreya also loves reading books and is a die-hard Potterhead. Confident and motivated she's fun to be with. Plus food. Always. ...Read More

Next Story