When air gets trapped inside of your vaginal canal, it eventually has to come out. (Cue the queef!) Sometimes it’s a whisper, other times, it’s loud enough to turn heads. Unlike gas from your digestive system, queefing is usually odorless and almost always harmless but can still feel awkward and embarrassing.
Whether it happens during sex, yoga, or while inserting a tampon or menstrual cup, a sudden release of vaginal gas can catch you off guard. And while it’s common (nearly 2 out of every 3 people experience it), it’s also frustratingly misunderstood. So, what is a queef and does queefing mean weak pelvic floor muscles?
What is a queef?
A queef (aka vaginal gas or vaginal fart) happens when air gets trapped in your vagina and then escapes.
Although queefing can feel emotionally jarring, it is a very common bodily function. Studies show that nearly 70% of people report experiencing it at some point.1
What causes queefing?
Air can get into your vaginal canal in a variety of different ways. Some of the most common cases include:
- Gravity: When your hips are elevated (like during downward dog, bridges, or planks), gravity allows air to enter more easily.
- Sexual intercourse: Penetration with a finger, toy, or penis can push air into your vagina, which may escape mid-thrust, during a position change, or even hours later.
- Arousal: Your vaginal canal expands and lengthens during arousal, creating more space for air.
- Tampon or menstrual cup: Inserting or removing these can trap or move air from within your vagina.
A rare but serious cause of queefing is a rectovaginal fistula. This is an abnormal connection between your rectum and vagina that can cause more persistent queefing.2 This type of fistula is usually linked to things like childbirth injuries, surgery, cancer, or Crohn’s disease. In this case, queefing would come with other symptoms, like leakage of stool or pus, or a foul vaginal odor and should be evaluated by your doctor.
Does a queef mean weak pelvic floor muscles?
Not necessarily. There’s very little research on queefing and the pelvic floor, and what does exist is mixed.
For example, one study linked queefing with vaginal childbirth, pelvic organ prolapse, and anal incontinence — pelvic floor issues that are usually linked to weak pelvic floor muscles.3 But this study also linked queefing to younger age and higher pelvic floor muscle resting tone.3 This shows that queefing might not always point to a lack of strength, but instead maybe to muscle imbalances, organ strain, or physical pelvic floor changes after birth.
Other research linked queefing to constipation after childbirth, urinary symptoms like leaking, urgency, or trouble peeing, bowel problems, and a sensation of a bulge in the vaginal area.4,5 And while these signs could also point to pelvic floor dysfunction, research shows that queefing can also happen for people without any of these issues.5
So, while a queef may be connected to your pelvic floor, it’s not always about strength. It can happen because of too much tension, postpartum changes, or problems with nearby areas like your bladder and bowel can also play a role. And sometimes, queefing can just happen, even without any clear issue at all.
Can you treat or prevent a queef?
Treatment for vaginal gas depends on the cause. While research shows treatment it’s mainly unsuccessful, some people find that tampons or a pessary can help bring some temporary relief during exercise.1
And while the research is mixed on exactly how your pelvic floor plays a role, focusing on overall pelvic floor health can make a difference. Pelvic floor therapy and pelvic floor exercises may help improve coordination and control of this frustrating bodily function, especially if you’re working to strengthen your pelvic floor to better support your organs or release tension to find a better muscle balance.
When should you see a doctor for queefing?
Most of the time, queefing isn’t a medical issue — just a super annoying part of sex or your exercise routine. However, contact your doctor if you experience queefing and any of the following symptoms:
- Bladder or bowel leakage
- Bowel or bladder urgency or trouble fully emptying
- Foul-smelling vaginal gas or discharge
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Leakage of stool or pus from your vagina
These could be signs of something more serious like an infection or a fistula.2 Your provider can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Feel more in control of your pelvic floor
If queefing is affecting your confidence, sex life, or daily routine, talk to your doctor or a pelvic floor physical therapist. Whether your pelvic floor is too tight, too weak, or somewhere in between, you can take steps to restore your muscle balance and improve how your body works together.
Not sure where your pelvic floor really stands? Take our Pelvic Floor quiz to find out if you’d benefit most from strengthening, relaxation, or a mix of both — and get personalized tips to start feeling more in control!
References
- Neels, H., et al. (2017). Vaginal wind: A literature review. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.
- Tuma, F., et al. (2023). Rectovaginal fistula. StatPearls.
- Neels, H., et al. (2020). Is vaginal flatus related to pelvic floor functional anatomy? Int Urogynecol J.
- Xiao, L., et al. (2023). Association between functional constipation and vaginal wind in women at 6 weeks postpartum. Int Urogynecol J.
- Hamoda, R.E., et al. (2024). Prevalence, bother, and impact on pelvic floor muscles of vaginal noise among middle-aged women. Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy.
