Queefing. It’s a funny word and can even be funny in person, but it can also be uncomfortable. A lot of people don’t know how to respond to a queef or even understand what causes queefing. Rest assured that it’s normal to queef and that you shouldn’t be too worried about it. But if queefing is a problem, there may be something you can do about it.
What Is a Queef, Anyway?
Simply put, a queef happens when air that’s been forced into your vagina needs to escape [1, 2]. When you’re aroused, your vagina expands in a process known as vaginal tenting [3] that raises the uterus [4] and shifts its position [5]. This doesn’t just mean that there’s more room for a penis or toy; however, there’s also more room for air to hide out.
Thrusting during sex causes air to repeatedly be pushed into your vagina, which is why you queef during sex and occasionally other times. The vagina isn’t an endless cavern. In most bodies, the vagina ends at the cervix, the entrance to the uterus.
Psst, wanna know more like this? Check out this guide to vaginal anatomy.
And the air in the vagina must escape somehow. It’s simply physics at work! This is why you might notice some queefing when you’re submerged in water, such as in the pool or bathtub. Speaking of sex in water, it can be a lot of fun!
Of course, the air’s escape route might cause some interesting physical feelings, as well as a loud fart noise, which is really what a queef is and why some people refer to, is as a “vaginal fart.” But it can take you by surprise if you’ve never heard what a queef sounds like.
Queefing doesn’t hurt you in any way; although, it might be startling, embarrassing, or even funny.
You’ve probably experienced queefing at other times, though. Dr. Mary Jane Minkin explains more here. She says exercising is also a culprit when it comes to causing vaginal flatulence AKA queefing. Some women report having more queefs than normal when it comes to getting into their typical yoga positions.
Maybe you even notice that you queef during sex more after you have performed certain types of exercise.
You might make a joke about it with your yogi girlfriends, or you may have talked to your best friend or sister about these sounds that happen during sex. If you do, you’ll realize you’re far from alone. And it seems like everyone wants to stop queefing after sex—and during.
How to Prevent Queefing
Most methods you can use to stop queefing during sex revolve around controlling the angle or force of thrusting. Try these steps the next time you have sex with your man to avoid queefing:
- Slow down the pace of thrusting.
- Thrust less deeply. Try wrapping your fingers around the base of his cock to decrease the depth of penetration.
- Switch out positions if one position makes you queef more often. Try one where you’re on top or rocking rather than thrusting.
- Try using more (or less) lube to see if it helps.
- Raise your hips (or his) with a pillow to change the angle of entry.
Pay attention to the sex positions that cause you to queef. If you need some alternatives, why not try some from this master list of sex positions? However, switching positions frequently can lead to more queefing, so you may want to cut down on the number of positions per session to reduce queefing.
The position isn’t the only factor at play when it comes to vaginal farts. Some women report more queefing during sex during certain periods of their menstrual cycles. There isn’t any research about this at the moment, but plenty of women have reported their experiences. But we know that the muscles of your uterus can contract during menstruation [6], which might be key if you tend to queef in monthly cycles. Checking the calendar might shed some insight into why you queef so much.
Finally, some people believe that you can squash vaginal farts by practicing Kegels. These exercises are named after the doctor who invented them to help with urinary incontinence [7]. But Kegels reportedly have a bunch of sexual benefits too, including stronger orgasms. In the case of queefing after sex, strengthening your muscles might stop air from escaping so easily.
Learn more about the benefits of Kegel exercises and how to perform them.
However, you may not be able to stop queefing every time, and that’s okay! Here’s the thing…If you’re close enough to a man to be intimate with him, you should be prepared to laugh off the embarrassment. Sex involves our bodies, flaws, and all, and all the included bodily fluids and functions. Queefing is just one of those, and something specifically caused or exacerbated by sex.
And if you’re not well acquainted with a man you’re having sex with, you either won’t see him again, or you will get to know him better, and a little queefing shouldn’t scare him off. However, you can try to minimize how noticeable queefing is during the act. Consider a white noise machine or even just a fan, so your bedroom isn’t dead quiet. If you’re a heavy moaner, utter his name, which he’s sure to remember over a queef.
You might try listening to music or putting on some porn in the background to drown out the sound, but that’s really not necessary with this normal bodily function. When a queef happens, many people ignore it. Some people laugh it off, and isn’t laughter the best medicine, anyway? If you feel like this is something you want to talk to your partner about, consult this guide to sexual communication. Remember, every woman with a vagina has queefed, which means most of your partners have probably experienced it before.
Sex can be awkward, but that can be part of the experience, especially if you’re able to incorporate laughter and humor into your romps in the sack. Getting over awkward things like queefing, farting, having difficulty with positions, slippery hands from lube, and bumping your head on the headboard are things most sexually active people have to do. You wouldn’t want to stop having fun just because someone farted, would you?
This post will help you get over sexual anxiety from queefing and other concerns.
And many women find it’s not that big of a deal once it happens the first time. A queef lasts a few seconds, which is nothing compared to the time spent having sex or the endless memories you can make with your man in the bedroom.
When to See a Doctor
Although it’s normal to queef during sex, there may be something more serious going on if your queefs are especially smelly. This occasionally happens when a tear known as a rectovaginal fistula develops between the anus and vagina, resulting in fecal matter entering the vagina [8]. This leakage can cause an unpleasant smell, too, so it’s different from queefing during sex. A rectovaginal fistula can lead to urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. More on that here. If you have symptoms of rectovaginal fistula, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Pelvic floor disorders such as prolapse may also contribute to queefing [9].
However, rest assured that this isn’t the case with most women, who are experiencing everyday queefs. It’s good to monitor your body for any changes, but queefing doesn’t present the same worries as a sexually transmitted infection, for instance. If you want to take control of your sex life, make sure you’re using condoms, getting screened for STIs after every new partner, and knowing your partner’s status. Listen for and respect changes to your body, such as burning after sex rather than worrying about whether you queef or not.
Queefing is just one of your body’s natural responses and abilities. Those abilities range from having G-spot and nipple orgasms to becoming pregnant and birthing a child, healing after an injury, running a marathon, and so much more. So the key is learning to love your body in spite of the occasional queef.