In this guide11 sections
- Key Points
- What Is a Queef?
- How Common Is Queefing?
- What Causes Queefing?
- Why Do I Queef So Much?
- When Should You See a GP About Queefing?
- How to Stop Queefing: Treatment Options
- Vaginal Laxity and Pelvic Floor Concerns at Centre for Surgery
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Vaginal Laxity Treatment in London
- References
Key Points
- What is a queef? A queef is trapped air leaving the vagina. Doctors call it vaginal flatulence or vaginal wind, and in the UK it is often called a “fanny fart”. It is not wind from the bowel.
- Do queefs smell? No. A queef is ordinary air, so it should not smell. Air or discharge from the vagina that smells of faeces needs checking by a GP.
- How common is queefing? A Dutch study found it in about 1 in 8 women aged 45 to 85 in the general population, and studies of women attending pelvic floor clinics have found it in between a quarter and a third.
- What causes queefing? Sex is the most common trigger. Changes of position, exercise such as yoga, and inserting tampons or menstrual cups can also let air in and out.
- Does queefing mean a weak pelvic floor or a loose vagina? Not necessarily. Childbirth and pelvic floor changes play a part, but queefing is also reported by younger women and by women with firm pelvic floor muscles.
- How do you stop queefing? Pelvic floor exercises are the first step, and changing position more slowly can help. See your GP if the air smells, if you notice faeces or discharge from the vagina, or if you have a bulge, pain or leaking.
A queef is the release of air from the vagina, often with a sound that can be mistaken for passing wind. In medical terms it is called vaginal flatulence or vaginal wind (and sometimes flatus vaginalis), and queefing simply means this is happening. Slang names include “fanny fart”, “vaginal fart” and “vart”. It tends to happen during or after sex, during exercise or with a change of position[1], when air that has entered the vagina is squeezed back out. For most people it is a normal, harmless thing the body does, even if it feels embarrassing at the time.
This guide explains what causes queefing, how common it is, why some women notice it more than others and when it is worth seeing a doctor. Many people search for it in everyday words rather than medical ones, and both are used here. Queefing is often blamed on a “loose” vagina, a myth our guide to loose vagina facts and myths looks at in detail. If queefing has become more noticeable since having a baby, regular pelvic floor exercises are usually the place to start, and our article on pelvic floor problems in women explains the related symptoms of leaking and prolapse.
What Is a Queef?
The vagina is a muscular, flexible passage, and at rest its walls lie close against each other. During some movements the vaginal opening and canal widen slightly and air is drawn in. When you change position or the muscles tighten, the walls close again and the trapped air is pushed out, sometimes with an audible sound. The amount of air is small. Researchers have not fully worked out the mechanism[1], but this is the usual explanation of how a queef happens.
Queefing is involuntary. You often cannot feel the air going in, and once it is there you usually cannot stop it from coming out. It is not a sign of poor hygiene, and on its own it does not mean anything is wrong with the vagina.
Is a Queef a Fart? Do Queefs Smell?
No, a queef is not a fart. Passing wind from the bottom releases gas made by bacteria in the bowel as they break down food, which is why it can smell. A queef is ordinary air that has entered the vagina from outside and comes straight back out. The vagina is not part of the digestive system, so a queef should not smell. If air from the vagina does smell, or you notice any faeces, see your GP, as this can be a sign of a rare problem described further down this page.
How Common Is Queefing?
Queefing is far more common than most people realise, partly because few women talk about it, even with a doctor. A review of the research found that reported rates ranged from 1% to 69% of women across different studies, and described vaginal wind as an underestimated health issue[1].
In a 2009 Dutch study of nearly 1,400 women aged 45 to 85 ↗ from the general population, 12.8% (about 1 in 8) reported vaginal noise, and most of them said it bothered them only a little[2]. Rates are higher among women who seek help for pelvic floor symptoms: a 2020 study of 570 women seen in a pelvic floor clinic found that a third reported vaginal flatus[3], and a 2025 study of 851 women referred to a pelvic medicine clinic found that just over a quarter did[4].
In other words, if you queef, you are in very large company, and knowing that can take away a lot of the worry.
What Causes Queefing?
Queefing happens whenever air is drawn into the vagina and then pushed out again. In the 2020 clinic study, women who described what set it off most often named sex (71%), followed by changes in posture (22%) and physical activity (9%)[3]. The common causes of vaginal flatulence are described below.
Why Do I Queef During or After Sex?
Queefing during sex is very common and is not a sign that anything is wrong. Penetration, whether with a penis, fingers or a sex toy, can push air into the vagina, and a change of position or rhythm can then push it out. Air can also stay in the vagina after sex and come out later, when you stand up, walk or go to the toilet. Some women notice it more in positions where the hips are higher than the chest.
Frequent vaginal wind can affect how women feel about sex. Research has linked it with lower sexual function in women[1], and one clinic study found that women with vaginal noise more often reported pain during sex and a partner who was less satisfied[4]. If it happens every time and is affecting your confidence, it is worth mentioning to a doctor rather than putting up with it.
Queefing During Exercise and Yoga
Exercise is another recognised trigger[1]. Movements that open the hips or tip the pelvis upwards, such as yoga inversions, downward dog, deep stretches, Pilates and some weight-training exercises, change the pressure in the pelvis and can let air into the vagina. When you move into the next position, the air is pushed out. This is a mechanical effect of movement and position, and on its own it does not mean your pelvic floor is weak.
Tampons, Menstrual Cups and Medical Examinations
Inserting or removing a tampon or menstrual cup, or having a vaginal examination or cervical screening test with a speculum, can briefly open the vagina and let air in. A queef shortly afterwards is normal.
Does Childbirth Cause Queefing?
Vaginal birth stretches the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor, and several studies list it as a risk factor for vaginal wind[1][3]. A 2026 Norwegian cohort study that followed 880 women from mid-pregnancy to a year after a vaginal birth ↗ asked how often they were bothered by sounds caused by air escaping from the vagina. At 12 months after the birth, 2.5% of first-time mothers and around 7% of women who had given birth vaginally before were bothered by it often or always, and women with previous vaginal births had higher odds than first-time mothers[5].
The same study found that some changes to the pelvic floor after birth made bothersome queefing more likely: a tear of the levator ani muscle away from its attachment to the pelvic bone (levator avulsion), a larger genital hiatus (a wider vaginal opening, as measured during an examination) and a shorter perineal body, the area of tissue between the vagina and the anus[5]. If you have noticed other changes since having a baby, our guide to vaginal rejuvenation after pregnancy explains the treatments some women consider once they have fully recovered from the birth.
Is Queefing a Sign of a Weak Pelvic Floor?
Not necessarily. The pelvic floor is a sling of muscles and connective tissue that supports the bladder, womb and bowel, and it is often assumed that queefing means these muscles are weak. The research is more mixed. In the 2020 clinic study, vaginal flatus was linked with vaginal birth, some types of prolapse and leakage from the bowel (anal incontinence), but also with younger age and with higher resting tone in the pelvic floor muscles. The researchers suggested that a firmer pelvic floor may give trapped air more resistance to push against on its way out[3].
So queefing can happen with a strong pelvic floor as well as a weakened one. What matters more is whether it is new, frequent or bothering you, and whether it comes with other symptoms.
Can Prolapse Cause Queefing?
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the pelvic organs (the bladder, womb or bowel) drops from its normal position and bulges into the vagina, usually because its supporting tissues have been stretched or weakened. Pregnancy and vaginal birth, getting older, the menopause, long-term straining and heavy lifting can all contribute. Typical symptoms are a feeling of heaviness or dragging, a bulge you can see or feel, and sometimes difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel; the NHS guide to pelvic organ prolapse ↗ describes them in more detail.
The link between prolapse and queefing is less straightforward than is often claimed. The 2020 clinic study linked vaginal flatus with prolapse of the upper (central) and back (posterior) parts of the vagina[3], but the 2025 study of 851 women found that those with more advanced prolapse of the front (anterior) vaginal wall were less likely to report vaginal noise, and found no link with prolapse of the upper part or back wall[4]. If you notice a bulge or heaviness, see your GP whether or not you are queefing, as prolapse is assessed and treated in its own right.
Does Queefing Change With Your Period, Pregnancy or the Menopause?
There is little research on whether hormonal changes affect how often someone queefs. Some women notice it more at certain points in their cycle, but this has not been properly studied, and inserting or removing tampons and menstrual cups may be one reason it is noticed more around a period. During pregnancy, bothersome queefing was uncommon in the Norwegian study, particularly among women expecting their first baby[5].
It is often said that fanny farts increase after the menopause, but two of the clinic studies above found the opposite: vaginal wind was reported more often by younger women, and in one study by women who had not yet been through the menopause[3][4]. The menopause does bring other vaginal changes, such as dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls, which are covered in our guide to vaginal changes after the menopause.
Why Do I Queef So Much?
How often women queef varies a great deal. Among women in the 2020 clinic study who said how often it happened, about half noticed it once a month or less, a quarter noticed it about once a week, and almost 1 in 4 noticed it every day or more[3].
If you are queefing a lot, factors that may play a part include:
- Frequent sex or exercise, especially positions or movements that open the hips or raise the pelvis.
- A recent vaginal birth, particularly if you have had more than one vaginal birth or the pelvic floor muscles were injured during the birth[5].
- Differences in pelvic floor anatomy or muscle tone, which may affect how air is trapped and released[3][5].
- Possibly some types of prolapse, although studies disagree: one linked queefing with prolapse of the upper and back parts of the vagina[3], while another found no such link[4].
Queefing more than usual is rarely a sign of anything serious on its own. It is worth getting checked if it is new and persistent, if it is getting worse, or if it comes with any of the symptoms below.
When Should You See a GP About Queefing?
Occasional queefing does not need medical attention. See your GP if you notice any of the following (a sexual health clinic can also help with unusual discharge):
- air from the vagina that smells, or any faeces (stool) or brown discharge coming from the vagina
- a bulge, lump or feeling of heaviness or dragging in the vagina
- leaking urine or stool, or difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel
- pain during sex, unusual discharge or bleeding
- queefing that started suddenly after childbirth or surgery, or that is affecting your confidence or relationships
Smelly wind or faeces from the vagina can be a sign of a fistula, an abnormal connection between the bowel and the vagina. Fistulas between the rectum or colon and the vagina can cause wind or faeces to pass through the vagina, as well as vaginal inflammation and sore, broken skin[6]. They are uncommon in high-income countries[7]. In one Australian series of rectovaginal fistula repairs, causes included injury during childbirth, previous vaginal or abdominal surgery, an abscess near the anus and Crohn’s disease, and most fistulas were successfully closed with surgery[7]. A fistula is very different from an ordinary queef, which is odourless air, so if you are unsure, get it checked.
How to Stop Queefing: Treatment Options
Most women who queef do not need any treatment, and occasional queefing during sex or exercise cannot always be prevented. If it is frequent or bothers you, there are steps that may help. Research on treating vaginal wind itself is limited, and a review found that treatment depends on the cause and has often not been successful[1], so it helps to have realistic expectations.
How to Stop Queefing During Sex and Yoga
Simple changes reduce the amount of air that gets in and how suddenly it is pushed out:
- During sex: try different positions, change position more slowly, and keep penetration more continuous rather than fully withdrawing between movements. Positions with the hips raised above the chest tend to draw in more air.
- During yoga and exercise: move more slowly in and out of inverted or wide-legged positions, and gently draw up the pelvic floor as you come out of a pose.
- Afterwards: if air is trapped, it usually comes out on its own when you stand, walk or go to the toilet.
Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels)
There is some direct evidence that pelvic floor muscle training helps with queefing. In a 2026 randomised controlled trial of 40 women after childbirth ↗, those who followed a structured Kegel programme had a significant fall in how often vaginal flatus happened and how much it bothered them, while the group that did no exercises did not[8]. The trial was small, so larger studies are needed. Pelvic floor muscle training is also recommended as the first-line treatment for vaginal looseness (vaginal laxity), ahead of devices or surgery[9].
To do them, squeeze and lift the muscles you would use to stop yourself passing urine and wind at the same time, hold for a few seconds, then relax fully. Add some quick squeezes as well, and repeat several times a day. It can take a few months of regular practice to notice a difference. Our article on vaginal tightening exercises has more detail, and a pelvic health physiotherapist can check that you are doing them correctly. Your GP can refer you if needed.
Tampons and Other Simple Measures
For queefing during exercise, some women find that wearing a tampon helps, and the review mentioned above noted that tampons can be used both to prevent and to treat vaginal wind[1]. A tampon is not suitable during sex, and tampons should not be left in for longer than the manufacturer recommends.
Laser Vaginal Treatment
Laser vaginal treatment uses laser energy to gently heat the vaginal lining, with the aim of stimulating collagen production and tightening the tissues. It is a non-surgical treatment carried out in clinic; at Centre for Surgery, laser treatment for vaginal laxity uses IntimaLase. The evidence for vaginal laxity is still developing: a 2024 systematic review found that sexual function improved after laser and radiofrequency treatment in observational studies, but this was not confirmed when only randomised trials were analysed[10]. A 2026 review concluded that the evidence on treatments for vaginal laxity, including energy-based devices, remains low certainty, short term and mainly based on how women describe their symptoms[9]. Research on laser treatment for queefing itself is very limited, and results vary. Our article on laser therapy for vaginal laxity and stress incontinence covers safety in more detail.
Vaginoplasty (Vaginal Tightening Surgery)
Vaginoplasty is an operation that tightens the vaginal canal and the muscles around the vaginal opening. It may be an option for some women with marked vaginal laxity after childbirth that has not improved with pelvic floor exercises and physiotherapy. It is not designed to treat prolapse, which needs its own assessment and treatment. Studies of vaginal tightening surgery report improvements in sexual function and the feeling of tightness, but the certainty of this evidence is very low, and reported harms include pain during sex, over-tightening and the need for further surgery[9]. As with any operation, there are also risks such as bleeding, infection and scarring, and results vary. Little research has looked at whether surgery reduces queefing specifically. Our guide to vaginoplasty recovery explains what the weeks after surgery involve.
If you have already tried pelvic floor exercises with a physiotherapist and seen your GP, and vaginal looseness after childbirth is still affecting you, your consultation is a chance to talk through whether surgery is likely to help at all and what the alternatives and risks are. For an overview of surgical and non-surgical approaches, see our guide to vaginal tightening options.
Vaginal Laxity and Pelvic Floor Concerns at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital, rated Good overall, at 95–97 Baker Street in central London. Our surgeons are GMC-registered, and some also hold NHS posts. If queefing is part of a wider change you have noticed since childbirth, such as a feeling of looseness, your consultation is private and unhurried: we will listen to what is bothering you, examine you only with your consent, and tell you honestly whether treatment is likely to help or whether a pelvic health physiotherapist or your GP is the better first step.
Where a procedure is appropriate, it is carried out under local anaesthetic, local anaesthetic with sedation or TIVA (total intravenous anaesthesia), depending on what is involved, and the surgeon who assesses you is the surgeon who performs your treatment. We recommend a two-week cooling-off period before deciding to go ahead with surgery. Our services are for adults aged 18 and over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is queefing?
Queefing is the release of air from the vagina, sometimes with a noise. The medical terms are vaginal flatulence and vaginal wind. It happens when air that has entered the vagina, often during sex or exercise, is pushed back out[1].
Do queefs smell?
A queef should not smell, as it is simply air that entered the vagina from outside. It is not gas from the bowel. If air from the vagina smells of faeces, or you notice stool or brown discharge, see your GP promptly, as this can be a sign of a fistula, an abnormal connection between the bowel and the vagina.
Is queefing normal or unhealthy?
Occasional queefing is normal and is not usually a sign of ill health. A study of women aged 45 to 85 found that about 1 in 8 experienced it, and most were only a little bothered by it, although it was more common in women with other pelvic floor symptoms[2]. Get it checked if it smells, comes with faeces or discharge, happens alongside a bulge, pain or leaking, or is frequent and bothering you.
Does queefing mean your vagina is loose?
Not necessarily. Queefing has been linked with vaginal birth and changes in the pelvic floor, but it is also reported more often by younger women and by women with higher pelvic floor muscle tone[3]. Occasional queefing during sex or exercise is not a sign that your vagina is loose or that you are “tight” either.
Why do I queef after sex?
Penetration pushes air into the vagina, and some of it can stay there until you stand up, walk or change position afterwards. Sex is the most common trigger for queefing[3], and it is nothing to worry about.
Why am I queefing more before my period?
There is little research on queefing and the menstrual cycle. Inserting or removing tampons or menstrual cups can let air in, which may be why some women notice it more around their period. If the change is new and persistent, or comes with pain, discharge or a smell, speak to your GP.
Can you stop yourself from queefing?
You cannot always stop it, as the air leaves involuntarily. Regular pelvic floor exercises may reduce how often it happens[8], and changing position more slowly during sex or exercise can help. If it is frequent and bothering you, a pelvic health physiotherapist can assess you and suggest a programme.
Why is queefing so embarrassing?
Mostly because the sound resembles passing wind and few people talk about it openly. In reality it is a common, harmless effect of air moving in and out of the vagina, especially during sex and exercise. Many couples simply laugh it off, and if it is affecting your confidence or sex life, it is worth raising with a doctor.
Vaginal Laxity Treatment in London
If frequent queefing or other changes since childbirth are affecting your confidence, a consultation at our Baker Street hospital gives you time to discuss them in private, with no obligation to go ahead with treatment. The consultation fee is £100, redeemable against treatment, and finance is available, subject to status; see our finance options. For more about the hospital, visit our About Us page.
Phone: 020 7993 4849 | Address: 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone, London W1U 6RN
Contact us to schedule a consultation
References
- Neels H, Mortiers X, de Graaf S, Tjalma WAA, De Wachter S, Vermandel A. Vaginal wind: a literature review. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology 2017;214:97–103. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.04.033 ↗
- Slieker-ten Hove MC, Pool-Goudzwaard AL, Eijkemans MJ, Steegers-Theunissen RP, Burger CW, Vierhout ME. Vaginal noise: prevalence, bother and risk factors in a general female population aged 45–85 years. International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 2009;20(8):905–911. doi:10.1007/s00192-009-0875-0 ↗
- Neels H, Pacquée S, Shek KL, Gillor M, Caudwell-Hall J, Dietz HP. Is vaginal flatus related to pelvic floor functional anatomy? International Urogynecology Journal 2020;31(12):2551–2555. doi:10.1007/s00192-020-04371-9 ↗
- Khamene SS, Khawajah IM, Feizabad E, Ameli MS, Radmehr E, Adabi K. Relationship between the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system and vaginal noise: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 2025;51(3):e16257. doi:10.1111/jog.16257 ↗
- Macedo MD, Lilleberg HS, Risløkken J, Šaltytė Benth J, Ellström Engh M, Siafarikas F. Prevalence and risk factors for vaginal flatus from mid-pregnancy to 12 months postpartum: a longitudinal cohort study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2026;133(3):487–494. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.70063 ↗
- Knuttinen MG, Yi J, Magtibay P, et al. Colorectal-vaginal fistulas: imaging and novel interventional treatment modalities. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2018;7(4):87. doi:10.3390/jcm7040087 ↗
- Thayalan K, Krause H, Goh J. A retrospective case series on transvaginal repair of rectovaginal fistula performed by a urogynaecology operative team in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2022;62(2):263–267. doi:10.1111/ajo.13444 ↗
- Kaya AK, Menek MY. Investigation of the effects of Kegel exercises on vaginal flatus among postpartum women: a randomized controlled trial. Ginekologia Polska 2026;97(2):95–101. doi:10.5603/gpl.105643 ↗
- Randombage PJS, Hettipathirana PS, Akurugodagama M. Comparative effectiveness of conservative and surgical interventions for vaginal laxity: a systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis. International Urogynecology Journal 2026 (published online ahead of print). doi:10.1007/s00192-026-06833-y ↗
- Pereira GMV, Cartwright R, Juliato CRT, Domoney C, Iglesia CB, Brito LGO. Treatment of women with vaginal laxity: systematic review with meta-analysis. The Journal of Sexual Medicine 2024;21(5):430–442. doi:10.1093/jsxmed/qdae028 ↗
