Vaginal Gas

Vaginal gas (also called queefing or a vaginal fart) is when air comes out of your vagina. It happens when your vagina releases air that’s trapped inside. It’s a bodily function that you can’t control. When the air comes out, it can make a sound like a fart.

While it can be embarrassing, vaginal farting is very common and typically harmless. But it can be a symptom of an underlying health condition if it occurs with other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of queefing?

The main symptom is hearing or feeling air escape from your vagina. You may even feel gas trapped inside before it escapes. A queef only lasts a few seconds. Unlike a fart, gas from your vagina doesn’t smell and you can’t hold it in.

Trapped gas inside your vagina doesn’t usually cause pain. It may be a sign of an underlying condition if it does.

Contact a provider if you have vaginal gas and any of the following symptoms:

• Pain during sex
• Foul-smelling vaginal odor
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Leaking pus or poop from your vagina

What are the most common causes of vaginal farts?

Your vaginal canal is a tube-like structure that’s closed at the top. Air can get trapped inside it in different ways. If air gets in, it must come back out through your vaginal opening. You can think of it like air escaping an untied balloon. The sound you hear is air coming out of your vagina.

Some of the most common causes:

• Sexual activities: Sex is a common cause of queefing. When something moves in and out of your vagina, air can get pushed inside. It’s more likely to happen when you switch positions.
• Using tampons: Pushing a tampon into your vagina may force air into your vaginal canal. The air escapes when you remove it.
• Weak pelvic floor muscles: Menopause and childbirth can weaken your pelvic muscles, which can lead to more vaginal gas.
• Vaginal exams: It’s common to queef during a pelvic exam. Air gets into your vagina when your provider inserts the speculum.
• Vaginal fistulas: A fistula is an abnormal opening between your vagina and another organ in your pelvis (rectum, bladder or intestines). The opening can let air in and out.
• Exercise: Yoga, squatting or running can trap air in your vagina because it opens slightly during these activities.

You shouldn’t push or blow air into your vagina on purpose. It’s OK if air gets pushed into your vagina naturally.

How is vaginal gas treated?

Vaginal gas is normal and common. It doesn’t need treatment in most cases. Avoiding or reducing activities that cause it is the only way to try to stop it from happening.

Weak pelvic floor muscles can cause frequent vaginal gas. Strengthening these muscles with exercises like Kegels can help. You may also benefit from seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist.

How can I prevent it?

Vaginal gas is normal and hard to prevent. Avoiding the most common causes of it can help you queef less. If it causes pain or bothers you, contact a healthcare provider.

When should a healthcare provider treat vaginal gas?

Passing gas out of your vagina is common. Hygiene doesn’t cause it, nor is it anything you’re doing wrong. If it happens often and not during sex, contact a gynecologist. They can do a pelvic exam to check if an underlying condition is causing it.