It’s known by a few names: vart, queeb, vaginal flatulence, and more, but most know it as “queefing.” Queefing is a thing that freaks some people out (though it shouldn’t!), and makes many people ask, “WTF?” among many other questions. So what exactly is it? Why does it happen? When will it happen? Are sex toys helpful or do they cause queefing, too?
Whether you’ve let out a gentle puff of air while walking or a loud obnoxious honk in the middle of sex, queefing happens to anyone with a vagina. If you’re filled with questions, we’ve got answers. Here’s what you need to know about this sometimes noisy phenomenon.
Is Queefing a Fart?
Your vagina didn’t fart, no matter what it sounds like. “Queefing is the ‘fart-like’ sound that occurs when a trapped pocket of air gets pushed out of the vagina,” explains Dr. Lina Velikova. “Queefs don’t smell, as they are just trapped pockets of air, unlike farts resulting from gut bacteria.”
Gastroenterologist Dr. Vikram Tarugu agrees. “It’s actually air that falls out (no other gasses like those produced from digesting food), and they don’t look like farts.”
What Causes Queefing?
No matter how strange or embarrassing it might be, queefing is a completely natural phenomenon, explains Dr. Velikova. “In essence, queefs happen due to the vagina’s structure. The vagina is not straight, and small pieces of air can be stuck in wrinkle-like folds, commonly known as ‘rugae.’”
Queefing isn’t caused by something you’re doing or not doing. It’s just your vagina, and the way it’s structured. And because most vaginas are made this way, it’s something that can (and does!) happen to everyone.
When Does Queefing Happen?
Most of us experience a big fat queef in the middle of penetrative sex. (For me, it most often occurs in doggy.) But that’s not the only time it happens.
“Queefing can occur when having intercourse, stretching, or exercising,” explains Dr. Velikova. “Fingers or a penis can trap air within the vagina while moving in and out during intercourse.”
Dr. Tarugu agrees. “Queefing frequently happens during sex or masturbation as a penis or other penetrating objects go in and out of the vagina, displacing the air along the way. However, I should mention that queefing doesn’t happen strictly during sex. It can happen on any occasion where the air gets stuck in a vaginal canal such as doing squats in a gym, or crunches.”
So yes, if you let one rip at the gym, it’s natural. Was it super loud? Is everyone looking at you now? Either way, play it cool and act like it’s no big deal — because it isn’t.
Do Sex Toys Cause Queefing — or Help It?
Just because so many people experience queefing during sex with a partner — or at the gym! — doesn’t mean sex toys can’t contribute to it. Remember, as our experts explained, it’s about air getting trapped in the vagina and that can happen in multiple ways.
If you experience more queefing with a sex toy and want it to stop, try using another sex toy. You might want to go up or down in size, especially if you’re using a dildo. If air consistently gets trapped around your toy, a bigger or small toy might help eliminate the issue.
You might also want to try a different position, as long as it’s comfortable and pleasurable for you. This is true if you queef during penetrative sex, too. Shifting your body in a new way may make a difference, especially if you’re like me and notice it only happens in very specific sex positions.
Queefing is Normal and Natural
No one should be embarrassed by queefs, though. It’s completely natural, and it’s a response to trapped air in the vagina and nothing else. If your partner freaks out or treats you badly because of it, you don’t need new sex techniques. You need a new partner.
If you’re embarrassed, remind yourself that it’s normal and natural. Laugh it off, if you can, and focus on your sexual pleasure instead. And if you just dumped a previous partner for bad reactions to your body doing a natural thing, look for someone who wants to focus on how good they can make you feel and not the noises your body makes.
Conclusion
Everyone with a vagina will queef at some point. It might shock you the first time, and you might wonder what just happened. But it’s natural, normal, and perfectly okay. Try not to get too hung up about the weird noises your body makes and focus on what feels good.
How do you react when you or your partner queefs? Is it something to laugh about and then forget about or does it cause embarrassment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
