Queefing: What It Is, Why It Happens & How to Prevent It

Have you ever released air through your vagina at the worst possible moment? Yeah, queefing can be awkward (especially in intimate moments), but it’s completely natural. While there’s no way to fully stop a queef or vaginal flatulence, there are ways to minimize how often it happens. Keep reading to learn more about queefing and how to reduce it, with advice from a pelvic health specialist, physical therapist, and life coach.

How do you stop queefing?

When air passes through the vaginal canal, it’s known as a queef. Queefing is a natural bodily function that’s involuntary, and it can happen to anyone with a vagina. Strengthening your pelvic floor can help minimize queefing. For instance, do kegel exercises, squats and bridges, or pilates.

Section 1 of 8:

What is queefing?

Queefing is when air releases through your vagina. Also known as vaginal flatulence or vaginal gas, queefing occurs when trapped air is released from the vagina. The action is involuntary and, although slightly embarrassing, is completely normal and harmless. Queefs typically only last a few seconds, and while they may be uncomfortable, they don’t smell or cause pain.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- What are the symptoms? Symptoms of vaginal flatulence include hearing or feeling air escape from the vagina (similar to hearing a fart).
- When is it common to queef? Queefing most commonly happens during sex, when doing yoga or exercising, when using a tampon, when pregnant, and during childbirth.
- Should you be worried? No! Queefing may be a little embarrassing, but it’s a normal bodily function that’s generally harmless.
- It’s important to note that queefs are not related to your digestive system; therefore, they do not have a strong odor like farts, and they often cannot be suppressed or “clenched.”
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Allison Romero, PT, DPT is a pelvic health specialist, physical therapist, and owner of Reclaim Pelvic Therapy, with over 10 years of experience.

Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA is a licensed physical therapist and founder of WiseBody Physical Therapy, with over 20 years of experience.

Jeff Siegel is a holistic life coach and founder of Jeff Siegel Wellness, with over 10 years of experience.

Section 2 of 8:

What causes queefing?

Queefs are caused by air getting trapped inside the vaginal canal. Air can get stuck inside the vagina in numerous ways. The vaginal canal (or birth canal) is the muscular area inside the body where a tampon is inserted. When air gets trapped here, there’s nowhere for it to go but out, causing a queef. The most common causes of queefs or trapped gas in the vaginal canal are:^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Sex
- Tampon usage
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Vaginal exams
- Vaginal fistulas
- Physical movement that opens and stretches the vagina (specifically yoga, running, and stretching)
- Pregnancy and birth^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

Section 3 of 8:

How to Stop Queefing

Strengthen your pelvic floor to avoid queefing. Queefing is a normal and common occurrence—it happens to almost everyone with a vagina! While there’s no way to treat or stop a queef while it’s happening, there are ways to minimize vaginal gas to help prevent flatulence. Here’s what you can do to stop queefing: ^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Do kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, says pelvic health specialist Allison Romero, PT, DPT. To do a basic kegel, she says to engage your pubic bone and try to pull it up toward your tailbone with your brain; think of it as pulling up or squeezing in, or like sucking through a straw. Romero recommends doing no more than 3 sets of 10 kegels each day.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Allison Romero, PT, DPT
  Pelvic Health Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Do squats to strengthen your pelvic floor, says licensed physical therapist Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA. She suggests squatting all the way down to the floor before rising up, “because when you stand up from a deep squat from the floor, you actually get a pelvic floor contraction.” Just do a few squats each day—as Ladis says, “Five squats a day keeps the pelvic floor therapist away.”^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
  Licensed Physical Therapist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Do pilates to strengthen your pelvic floor, notes holistic life coach Jeff Siegel. He says, “Pilates is a wonderful movement modality that really does a great job of strengthening the core and focuses on the pelvic floor in a way that a lot of other types of exercise overlook.”^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jeff Siegel
  Holistic Life Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
- Get your pelvic floor checked out by a doctor or physical therapist to help strengthen it, suggests Romero.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Allison Romero, PT, DPT
  Pelvic Health Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Refrain from or reduce physical and sexual activity.

Section 4 of 8:

Is queefing during sex normal?

Yes, queefing during sex is very normal. Releasing air while having intercourse is a normal occurrence—it’s happened to almost everyone with a vagina! It’s a physiological response to the added pressure and your muscles relaxing and tensing up. Penetration of any kind can also make it easier for air to get trapped within your vaginal canal.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- How to stop queefing during sex: Try to avoid “doggy style” penetrative sex or positions that mimic a fetal position. These positions can force more air into the vaginal canal, which may cause more queefing.
- Remember, queefing is a natural, involuntary consequence of sex. So, try not to feel too embarrassed or awkward about it—it’s a sign things are going well down there!

Section 5 of 8:

Is queefing during yoga normal?

Yes, queefing during yoga is completely normal. Most people experience their first queef during or after a good yoga session. This is because the vagina is opened and stretched while doing yoga poses. The muscle movement can trap gas in the vaginal canal, which will eventually need to be released, either while doing another pose or relaxing later.
- How to stop queefing while doing yoga: Strengthening the pelvic floor can help you stop queefing while exercising. Squats, bridge pose, and bird-dog are all poses and exercises you can try at home to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}

Section 6 of 8:

How to React After Queefing

The best way to respond to a queef? Laugh about it! Queefing is 100% normal, and while you may not be able to control it, you can control how you react to it. So, laugh it off to ease any embarrassment or tension. Chances are, no one noticed, or your partner will laugh along with you.
Queef during sex? Take this as an opportunity to have an open discussion with your partner. Maybe they’re unfamiliar with queefs—let’s educate them! Explain that queefs are a natural, involuntary bodily function that’s very common during sex. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong; it’s just your body reacting to the pleasure.
If you queef, don’t panic. Remember: it’s a normal thing your amazing body does. So, take a deep breath and thank your body for all it does for you. After all, you wouldn’t want air trapped in your vagina canal forever, right?

Section 7 of 8:

When to See a Doctor

1
If there is any pain when you queef, contact a doctor. While uncomfortable, vaginal flatulence should not be painful. If you experience any sort of pain when queefing, contact your healthcare provider, as this may be a sign of an underlying condition, like a vaginal fistula.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- A vaginal fistula is an opening that forms between the vagina and another organ, such as the bladder, colon, or rectum.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
While queefing is a normal occurrence, queefing regularly or constantly may be a sign of a more serious issue. If vaginal flatulence is disrupting your life or habits, contact a healthcare provider.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
3
If you experience painful symptoms alongside queefing, call a doctor. Vaginal flatulence could be a sign of an underlying issue if it’s paired with other symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms while or alongside queefing, get in touch with a doctor:^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Pain during sex
- Foul-smelling vaginal odor
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Leaking pus or poop from the vagina

Section 8 of 8:

Final Thoughts

Everyone with a vagina has likely queefed at least once in their life. It’s a bodily function that’s completely normal. So, try not to be embarrassed about it. Yes, it can be awkward (especially during intimate moments), but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. While queefing may be out of your control, you can control how you react to it—so laugh it off, babes!