Queefing: A Super Embarrassing Vaginal Flatulence

As a woman, there will definitely come a time when your vagina will get you in a really awkward and seemingly embarassing situation where it makes a squeak-like sound especially when something goes in or out. That's queefing. Some of you might be familiar with this term but some of you might even find this new word amusing. It is possible that this little phenomenon has happened with you, but you just didn't know it had a name. 

Talks with many gynos and sex therapists revealed that queefing is very common, people are usually just too shy or embarrassed to discuss this. First of all, women aren't aware that it's nothing of embarrassment because it is just natural, so they can't really open about such a sensitive topic to anyone. So clearing that misconception, there is nothing wrong about this.

Now you might be thinking about yours or someone else's experience like that and even hearing the term 'vaginal farts' related, but assuring you, passing gas is a different thing. Sure the queefing sound is kind of similare and YES, very weird but it has other reasons behind it. And no, queefs DO NOT smell, so another difference from farts.

If you're new to this term, get your facts straightened out.

Like other normal reflexes of your body, consider queefing just like that. When air is pushed in the vagina it gets trapped there. Air trapping happens due to the inner folds the vaginal canal has. When the air is released, a toot-toot like the sound is produced. Now how can air enter the vagina in the first place? It's mostly when something is inserted like a finger, sex toy or penis. Sex is the most common cause because of recurrent thrusting. We'll discuss some more causes below.

Why most people don't know about this? Because it is not actually a normal term used in medical practices. So it would be better if you just refer to it as 'air passing through the vaginal canal' especially when talking to your doctor about it, so it doesn't sound dumb.

Women having larger vaginal canals naturally and those who get them after mutliple births are more likely to queef, which is discussed as one of the causes.

Some people get way to generous when it comes to applying the lube, but when this slippery mess gets a LOT, small air bubbles can get trapped inside it and afterward released spontaneously or during urination.

We now know what happens in queefing, now take a look at the most common causes that some people might not be aware of.

This is by far the most common one. It's natural when there is a constant push and pulls action going on down there, air goes in and out and this creates a lot of queefing. There's no need to feel embarrassed about it if you have great chemistry with your partner, and you have gotten to know each other from the core, then there's nothing you have to worry about.

The first few visits to your Gynae or Obstetrics doctor can be very inconvenient, there is shyness from your side but it's a normal routine for them. Awkward position and especially those scary instruments keep getting you nervous. And sometimes during special vaginal exams, they use instruments called 'speculums' to get a better view or even endoscopes. These can also cause queefing, so don't panic when this happens, your doctor is quite familiar with it.

Playing and messing around with yourself especially using modern-day sex toys and vibrators or any object used in sexual pleasures will take up the air inside your V area and make that funny sound, so don't freak out if it's your first time. Even inserting a Tampon does this.

Giving birth expands your pelvic muscles a lot, this stretching weakens them a little too. Weakening muscles can cause vaginal flatulence, especially when you have given birth multiple times or just had your baby. Surgeries make your body overall weak and certain procedures like Colonoscopy are too responsible for queefing.

Air trapping inside the vagina or simply flatulence can also happen when your body is stretched to some limits, especially below the trunk area. As more frequently complained by women practicing Yoga and Aerobics etc. Other physical activities like jumping jacks, trampolining, wearing a thong even can cause queefing which can be unexpected.

There is no absolute stopping to queefing because it is your body's natural mechanism. Also, it is hard to avoid because unlike farting your muscles around the vagina (pelvic muscles) are not as strong or tight as the back ones controlling farts. So yes, it can get out of your hands, or should you say, out of your vagina. It doesn't even smell so there's no worrying about other people getting bothered.

But this one thing you have to understand is that there is absolutely no point in worrying about it or being ashamed of it afterward. For instance, if you have a new sex partner and something like this happens, instead of getting turned off, they might get more comfortable with you. So instead of making a big deal out of this, embrace it and feel comfortable with yourself, so people around you feel the same way.

Ask yourself, does this have to be embarassing? The answer is an obvious No. What would you do if you were in that situation? The more you think about it, no matter who the person is, the more problems you create inside your head. If you see someone in this crisis, make their worries go away, or just give a nod and slow blink conveying that it is TOTALLY fine. 

The response in these unpleasant situations is all that matters. Sexually active people and adults are well aware of this fact and sure expect it when it comes to sex. The easiest thing to do is to just ignore it, this is better for everyone and the most mature way to handle the situation. But if there is that special bonding between you and your partner where you can pay attention to it, crack a joke or just clarify in a funny way like "that wasn't a fart, right?" or "Carry on!" and not create an obvious yet awkward moment.

The key to controlling and avoiding the queefs is to prevent undue air from going inside the vagina. Here are some ways to reduce it:

Experts believe that strengthening the pelvic muscles can pretty much control this air going in and out frequently. For this purpose, this is like a mini-workout. To perform Kegels, squeeze the muscles during urination to stop. Then hold the urine contraction for 10 seconds and then relax for 10 seconds. Try it up to at least three sets of 10 repetitions each day.

You can't do much to avoid it because this is usually bound to happen. Moving a lot and frequently changing your positions causes this mainly. If your posture and activity during sex are too high and hyper, then more chances for queefs as compared to a laid back, more relaxed and lazy position. According to Cosmopolitan magazine, if you change your sex positions like avoiding being bent over or upside down, your queefs will limit down on their own. 

The faster the thrusting, messier it is and more are the chances of air getting trapped inside. Making it rough and vigorous just adds up to it. But if you take it slow and adapt this, there is less awkward noise and more pleasure too.

It is well understood that sex is messy. There are noises, smells and what not. So instead of making a big issue out of it, develop that certain chemistry with your partner that you can easily give them a heads-up about queefing that it might happen OR you two can just laugh about it later and bond.