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Passing wind apparently can not only occur through the anal canal. Have you heard queef or vaginal farts? Passing wind through the vagina is not uncommon. Some women complain of a gas-like sound coming from the vagina, especially during sexual intercourse. Unlike gas that comes from the anus, gas that comes from the vagina is odorless.

Why can we pass wind?

The wind that is expelled from the anus comes from gases in the digestive system. Activities such as eating, drinking, chewing gum, and even smoking, can cause gas or wind to enter. This gas is composed of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and methane. When the gas is excreted through the anus, it can mix with sulfur. The more sulfur there is in the wind that comes out, the more pungent the smell will be.

Not only comes from the incoming air, gas can also come from undigested food. The small intestine is unable to digest some carbohydrate components such as sugar, starch and fiber. So that these components are then passed on to the large intestine. In the large intestine, bacteria will break down these components and produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfate.

Is passing gas through the vagina the same thing?

Passing wind through the vagina was not caused by bacterial activity in the digestive system. As quoted from Women's Health Magazine, according to Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., professor of the field Obestetrics and Gynecology from Yale Medical School, the wind that comes out of the vagina is not related to the digestive system. Queef is the result of expelling air trapped in the vagina. Because the vagina is not shaped like a straight tube but rather wavy and wrinkled, this makes it easier for the trapping of air in the vagina. The happening queef also usually associated with weakening of the muscles in the vagina and pelvis.

Cause of occurrence queef or pass gas from the vagina

1. Sexual activity or inserting objects into the vagina

When something is inserted into the vagina, air or wind can enter the vagina. Sexual penetration, use of tampons or other tools can cause the wind to be pushed, causing a sound like the sound of passing wind. Not only sexual activity, vaginal examination by a doctor or gynecologist can also cause it queef , because usually a doctor or gynecologist will use a tool (speculum) to examine the inside of the vagina.

2. Physical activity or stretching

In severe cases, even when walking, queef could occur. Some movements in physical activity can cause air or wind to become trapped in the vagina. It is not uncommon for women to report experiencing queef while exercising. Usually it is the movements that are dominated by the abdominal muscles and buttocks that have the potential to cause it queef , such as yoga or sit-ups.

3. Pregnancy or menopause

Some women report they experience it more frequently queef during pregnancy and when entering menopause. This can be caused by weakening of the muscles in the vagina and pelvis.

4. After giving birth

Weakening of the pelvic bone muscles, especially pelvic floor , is one of the causes of frequent occurrence queef . The delivery process will weaken the pelvic bone muscles. The more often a woman gives birth normally (vaginal route), the more relaxed her pelvic muscles can cause them to pass gas through the vagina.

5. Colonoscopy or other operations

Some procedures, such as a colonoscopy, can cause the distribution of air in your body to become chaotic. It is not impossible that you will often pass gas after colonoscopy procedures or other operations, including passing gas through the vagina.

6. Vaginal fistula

This is the worst possible of the causes queef . A fistula is an abnormal opening that forms in the body, connecting the vagina and other organs such as the bladder, colon, and even the rectum or duct leading to the anus. If a hole forms between the vagina and the colon or rectum, urine or feces can come out of the vagina without you knowing it. These fistulas can form due to trauma after childbirth, side effects of cancer treatment, accidents, and some surgical procedures. Another characteristic of a fistula is when the wind that comes out of the vagina smells bad.

So is passing wind through the vagina normal?

In most of the cases, pass wind through the vagina or queef is a natural thing. Although often associated with sexual activity, however queef can happen at any time without a trigger. To reduce the frequency of occurrence queef , You and your partner can choose a sex position that does not require you to be in a bent body position so as to minimize the possibility of air being trapped in the vagina. In addition, you can try Kegel exercises to tone your pelvic muscles and thus reduce the chances of them occurring queef which results from loosening of the pelvic muscles.