Right here’s Why You Queef Throughout Intercourse. (Do not Be Embarrassed, It is Regular.)

Queefing, as anybody with a vagina will let you know, can occur at some inopportune occasions: when you’re having sex, in the midst of a yoga class or throughout a go to to the gynecologist.

You could have heard some individuals consult with queefs as “vaginal farts” (charming). However whereas queefs do produce a toot-like sound, we will guarantee you that queefing just isn’t the identical as passing gasoline.

We talked to gynecologists and intercourse therapists to be taught extra about what causes queefs, a number of the misconceptions about them and why they shouldn’t be as mortifying as we make them out to be.

Queefing is an involuntary bodily operate that happens when air is pushed into the vagina, will get quickly trapped within the folds of the vaginal canal (referred to as rugae) and is then launched.

“Queefing occurs when a penis, fingers or intercourse toy go out and in of the vagina bringing extra air together with it,” Sherry A. Ross, an OB-GYN in Santa Monica, California and the writer of “She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health,” informed HuffPost. “Intercourse can contain a number of thrusting of the penis out and in of the vagina, usually pushing additional air right into a dead-end house.”

Sure intercourse positions, like doggy fashion the place your pelvis is titled upwards, or abruptly switching from one place to a different, could enhance the probability of queefing. Even non-sexual actions, like placing in a tampon or menstrual cup, practicing yoga (like while you move out of an inversion pose) or your gyno inserting a speculum can result in queefing.

“From my expertise as an OB-GYN, nearly each lady has skilled not less than one episode of queefing a while throughout her life, typically even throughout a pelvic examination,” mentioned Diana Hoppe, an OB-GYN in Encinitas, California.

Whereas the gasoline that comes out of your rectum may have a foul odor (a results of bacterial exercise within the intestine), queefs are odorless, Hoppe added.

There’s not much you can do to stop a queef in its tracks. You can’t just “hold it in” such as you would a fart.

And as OB-GYN Sheila Loanzon told Cosmopolitan, “For those who attempt to contract the vaginal canal to stop air from coming in, it may possibly trigger intercourse to be extra painful.”

Ladies who’ve beforehand given start, specifically, could also be extra susceptible to queefing as a result of pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. By strengthening these muscle tissue via exercises like Kegels, you may be able to reduce your odds of queefing, Hoppe mentioned.

“Additionally, when doing any belly workouts or weight-bearing train, you will need to squeeze the pelvic flooring whereas holding the core belly muscle tissue tight,” Hoppe mentioned. “Many ladies squeeze belly muscle tissue however don’t activate the pelvic flooring on the identical time, thus permitting the pelvic flooring to sag, rising the probability of air getting into into vaginal canal.”

Throughout intercourse, retaining the penis, fingers or intercourse toy inside you when you change positions might reduce your possibilities of queefing as a result of it “provides air much less of a chance to get into the vagina,” Jamil Abdur-Rahman, an OB-GYN and the chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vista Well being System in Waukegan, Illinois, told Self.

And in concept, you would simply keep away from sure intercourse or yoga positions altogether. However what’s the enjoyable in that?

So why does this very regular bodily operate really feel so embarrassing within the second, be it throughout doggy-style or downward canine? It actually simply comes right down to that pesky noise, Hoppe mentioned.

“The stigma is because of lack of know-how the distinction between launch of air from the vagina and flatulence,” she mentioned. “The sound results stands out as the identical although, so culturally there could also be a stigma or embarrassment attributable to this occurring ‘down there.’”

Intercourse therapist Vanessa Marin underscored the truth that queefing is regular, frequent and “not something to be ashamed of.” Embracing the awkwardness of the second may even make intercourse extra satisfying for each companions.

“Our our bodies make humorous noises typically, and that’s OK!” she mentioned. “Plus, there are many different goofy issues about intercourse, like getting sweaty, slipping out, entering into awkward positions and so forth. The extra we will giggle about these sorts of issues, the extra enjoyable we’ll have throughout intercourse.”

When a queef slips out mid-coitus, you may have two selections: ignore that deflating balloon sound utterly or rapidly acknowledge it and transfer on. Marin prefers the latter route.

“It’s a private desire, however I feel it’s higher to simply rapidly acknowledge it and giggle it off,” she mentioned. “That method you don’t have to sit down there enthusiastic about it, anxiously questioning whether or not or not your companion heard it.”

Typically, queefing is nothing to be nervous about. Whereas uncommon, if queefing is accompanied by ache or a foul scent, it is best to make an appointment with a physician to rule out any extra critical points.

“If queefing is related to a foul odor, it could be a sign of a vaginal an infection or potential fistula, an [abnormal] connection between rectum and vagina attributable to earlier radiation therapy or surgical procedure that causes stool or feces to come back out of the vagina,” Hoppe mentioned.

However for probably the most half, queefing is a standard, if barely awkward, reality of life. So let’s not get so hung up on it, OK?

Sex Ed for Grown-Ups is a collection tackling all the pieces you didn’t study intercourse at school — past the birds and the bees. Preserve checking back for more expert-based articles and private tales.