Whistle While You Twerk: 5 Interesting Facts About Vaginal Farts

Yesterday, at 26-years-old, I experienced my first set of vaginal farts, aka, queefing. At first I didn’t know what was going on; it felt like my vagina was being squeezed, but after several queefs in a row, I began screaming “ouch” making my intrusive, but loving Caribbean mother run to the bathroom to see if I was alright. When I told her what happened, she told me vaginal farts are normal but the reason I was having them was because I ate poorly — and don’t like to drink hot tea in the morning to expel the gas trapped in my body.

*Insert major eye-roll*

Over the years, both of my parents have made me paranoid with their Caribbean theories of why odd bodily functions occur and, thankfully, Google has allowed me to dismiss some of the myths they raised me with. Case and point, while googling vaginal farts, I learned that the vagina releases air for a variety of reasons, not because of gastric issues. So, want to find out exactly why your vagina “whistles”? Keep reading.

1) Why Do Vaginal Farts Happen?

Vaginal farts occur when trapped air is getting pushed out of your vagina. Dr. Mary Jane Minkin of Yale Medical School told Women’s Health Magazine, your vaginal tube is not straight and has folds called rugae that resemble wrinkles. Because of this, pushing out the air of your vagina can feel a bit painful or even tickle!

2) When Do Vaginal Farts Occur?

Queefing usually happens during sex, when a penis (or dildo) is inserted in and out of the vagina, pumping air into its tube. However, air can also get inside your vagina after completing exercises like squats, yoga or crunches.

3) How Do You Stop Your Vagina From Queefing?

In order to stop your vagina from releasing air at unexpected times, Telegraph reports it’s important to reduce “deep and fast penetration.” The latter includes using a penis, fisting or sex toys to penetrate your vagina, especially if the girths of these objects are large in size. For those who are virgins or don’t have sex often but experience queefing on a regular basis, you may have pelvic floor issues like loose muscles.

4) Should You Worry About Your Vagina “Whistling?”

Vaginal farts are normal; however, one should worry if you experience vaginal or abdominal pain during or after sex, especially if a foul odor becomes present. Discharge that is an unusual color coming from your vagina should also be alarming and seeking medical attention is imperative. The latter should also be taken seriously if you notice feces in your vagina or if you’re leaking when you’re not urinating.

5) What You Shouldn’t Believe About Queefing

Unlike my mother’s notions about why vaginal farts happen, other people create shameful reasons to make women feel embarrassed about the experience. Some of the judgmental explanations you shouldn’t listen to are: poor hygiene, committing infidelity, STDs or having multiple partners. Remember you know the truth about what is happening with your body, so don’t believe  or entertain the narratives other people want to attach to you or your sexual history.