What is a queef? Also known as vaginal gas, vaginal flatulence, or vaginal farts, queefing is a topic that can make people of all ages blush. Rest assured that queefing is a very normal and healthy part of life. While there’s no reason to be concerned if you experience queefing, it is helpful to know what’s happening to your body when you hear that distinctive sound known as a queef. Is queefing ever a problem? While it’s easy to make light of vaginal flatulence, chronic queefing can point to an underlying health issue that should be discussed with a doctor.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A QUEEF?
A queef is simply air moving out of the vagina. The sound made by a queef is the sound of trapped air being released. One of the reasons why so many people find queefing embarrassing is that they mistake it for passing gas. Unlike farts, queefs are odorless because they are not passing through the digestive system before exiting.
WHAT CAUSES QUEEFING?
Queefing is caused by any activity that can cause air to become trapped within the vaginal canal. In everyday life, things like exercising, sitting with your legs crossed, or removing a tampon or menstrual cup can all trigger queefing. There’s generally no cause for alarm if you experience occasional queefing with any of these activities. However, there are some underlying issues that could be causing chronic queefing.
Weak Pelvic Floor
Weak pelvic floor muscles can increase vaginal flatulence. The pelvic floor consists of muscles and connective tissue that hold and support the bladder, large intestine, and internal reproductive organs. Things like pregnancy, injury, and age can all weaken the pelvic floor. It’s not uncommon to experience an increase in queefing following pregnancy and childbirth. Declining estrogen levels during menopause that decrease the pelvic floor’s elasticity and strength can also increase queefing frequency.
Hormonal Changes
As estrogen declines during menopause, it often reduces blood supply and collagen production in the vaginal canal and surrounding tissue. The loss of muscle strength that accompanies this can allow gas to slip through more frequently. It’s common for increased queefing to be just one of many symptoms when dipping estrogen levels begin affecting sexual health. The other two main ones are urinary incontinence and vaginal dryness. Queefing can also become more common due to hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy. Even normal hormonal shifts that occur during ovulation and menstruation that loosen the vaginal muscles can also increase queefing.
Prolapse
Vaginal prolapse happens when the vagina slips out of position. While most common following multiple vaginal deliveries, prolapse can occur whenever pelvic tissues and muscles are overstretched and weakened. Causes can include repeatedly lifting heavy objects as part of your job, undergoing a hysterectomy, and aging. When the top portion of the vagina shifts from its normal position, the organs it was supporting also shift out of place. In most cases, prolapse is accompanied by a lump or bulging sensation. The reason why queefing often becomes more frequent following vaginal prolapse is that the shifting of the vagina creates gaps that can make it easier for air to become trapped in the vagina.
Movements Positions During Exercise or Sex
Frequent queefing isn’t always caused by medical conditions or physiological changes. Most of the time, queefing is simply the result of air becoming trapped during physical movement. Your love of exercise could be behind the persistent queefing you’re experiencing. During running, yoga, and other common exercises, pressure changes make it easier for air to be pulled into the vagina. Rapid changes in position during exercises make it easy for the air to escape.
Queefing during sex is both common and normal. Vaginal contractions that occur during sex can cause queefing. Additionally, air is often pushed inside the vagina whenever something is inserted into the vagina during sex. When the object is removed, the air can make an audible sound as it is also pushed out. Air can also become trapped in the vagina when moving positions.
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PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF QUEEFING
In general, there’s no need to take measures to prevent occasional queefing that happens as a result of exercise or sexual activity. This is considered a perfectly normal biological response to trapped air! Overall, having a healthy pelvic floor is the best way to minimize spontaneous queefing. However, there are several things you can do if you’re concerned about frequent or disruptive queefing.
Vaginoplasty
Also known as vaginal tightening surgery, vaginoplasty is a procedure to restore the look and function of the vagina. It is commonly used to treat vaginal prolapse or weakened pelvic floor muscles. In addition to reducing persistent vaginal gas, vaginoplasty can help to restore comfort and sexual satisfaction.
Kegel Exercises
The most common way to control queefing is to do Kegel exercises. Also known as pelvic floor exercises, Kegels are like workouts for the pelvic floor muscles. They consist of slowly tightening and releasing the muscles in the pelvic floor. To do a Kegel exercise, simply lift, hold, and relax the pelvic floor muscles. Each hold should last for up to five seconds. It’s recommended to try to consistently do at least three sets of 10 Kegels per day.
Laser Rejuvenation Of The Vagina
Nonsurgical vaginal rejuvenation with lasers can help to restore the elasticity and strength of vaginal tissue without the need for recovery or downtime. These procedures can be done during short office visits. Laser rejuvenation tightens and tones the vaginal area. It can also increase collagen production to make vaginal tissue firmer and more resilient.
Dr. Michael Tahery is a leading board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) and urogynecologist in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Tahery is happy to answer all of your questions! If weak pelvic floor muscles or hormonal issues are causing excessive vaginal flatulence, Dr. Tahery and his team can recommend a variety of surgical and noninvasive treatment options. Book an appointment today.