Queefing: It's Nothing to be Embarrassed About
As we all know, bodies make noises. And despite what we might hope, sometimes those noises happen during an otherwise very passionate, serious moment.
If somehow it hasn’t happened to you: “queefing” is a colloquial term for vaginal flatulence. That is, when air, which has been pushed into the vagina, escapes with enough volume to be noticed, creating a farting noise.
Many women will experience this phenomenon - in fact, it’s a normal part of having a vagina.
The Science of Queefing
What is a queef? As stated, queefing is the term for the “fart” noise that happens, typically during intercourse, when a pocket of air escapes the vagina.
The How and The Why
As a refresher from middle school sex ed: the vagina isn’t a straight tube. It is the vaginal canal, which leads to the cervix, the entranceway to the uterus. It is a closed system - that is, there is only one way in, and one way out: the vaginal opening.
During penetrative intercourse, repetitive insertion (whether with a penis, fingers, a dildo or other toy) can push little bits of air into the vagina. Sometimes the air flows out then, but other times the air gets “trapped” inside. This means that during or after sex (sometimes even several hours later, leading to the oft-dreaded gym queef during a workout or stretch session), that pocket of air will be displaced, sometimes making itself known quite loudly!
Not outsourced to just sexual activity, queefing can also happen during a workout where air could enter the vagina, being pushed out with moves like squatting or crunches. It can also happen at the doctor! Rest assured, though, that your gynecologist has already seen (and heard) it all, so there’s really no reason to be self-conscious.
There is no danger involved with queefing, so there is no “treatment” - since it isn’t necessary to treat! That being said, if a strange vaginal odor or discharge is associated with your queefs, as always, talk to your gynecologist about potential issues that could be the cause of that.
Music to Your Ears
Wear your queef as a badge of honor! (Metaphorically, of course.)
Instead of being embarrassed, acknowledge that your body is just doing normal body things - expelling air. Not only does it happen to every person with a vagina, but queefs are unlike actual flatulence, with no odor associated and coming from just regular air escaping your body, rather than the bacterial breakdown of food in your gut. The air is just normal air, moving through a space that sometimes makes a sound.
Queefing happens when you’re being good to your body, by exercising, stretching, and having sex. There’s certainly nothing embarrassing about that!
So next time it happens to you, have a little laugh and move on with what you’re doing! It just means you’re having a good time.
