Vaginal Wind (Queefing): Causes, When to Worry and How to Help
Vaginal Wind: Causes, What It Means and How to Stop It
Vaginal wind — also known as queefing or a fanny fart — is completely normal, very common, and nothing to be ashamed of. But it can also be a sign that your pelvic floor needs attention.
Vaginal wind has earned itself quite a vocabulary — queef, queefing, V-puff, Brazilian breeze. Whatever you call it, it's the kind of thing most women have experienced but few talk about. The good news is that in the vast majority of cases it is entirely harmless. The more useful news is that if it happens regularly, it may be telling you something important about the strength of your pelvic floor.
It is the rapid expulsion of air that has become trapped inside the vagina, producing a sound similar to flatulence.
It is not gas from the bowel, so it has no odour. It is not a sign of infection. And it is not something to be embarrassed about — over a third of women with weakened pelvic floor muscles experience it regularly.[2]
If there is a smell, that is a different matter and should be investigated — see below.
What causes vaginal wind?
Vaginal wind happens when air becomes trapped in the vaginal canal and is then released — usually triggered by movement. It is most common during penetrative sex and exercise, but can happen at any time. The underlying reason it occurs more frequently in some women than others often comes down to pelvic floor muscle tone.[2]
- Sex Thrusting during penetrative sex can pump air into the vagina. It is released when movement changes — a completely normal and very common experience.
- Exercise Certain movements — particularly those involving the hips or legs — can allow air to enter the vagina. Yoga poses with the legs raised or inverted are a common trigger, as gravity causes the organs to shift and create space.
- Stretching Deep stretches and certain positions open the vaginal canal and increase the likelihood of air becoming trapped.
- Weak pelvic floor When pelvic floor muscle tone is reduced, the vagina has less structural support and is more prone to trapping and releasing air. Studies show over a third of women with weak pelvic floor muscles experience vaginal wind regularly.[2]
- Pregnancy Hormonal changes, an overworked pelvic floor, and the physical changes of a growing baby all contribute to increased vaginal flatulence during pregnancy.
- Menopause Declining oestrogen levels cause the vaginal wall to become thinner, more relaxed, and less supported — making vaginal wind more likely, particularly during exercise.
- Medical examinations A pelvic exam or the insertion of any object into the vagina can displace air. This is entirely normal and nothing to worry about.
When should I be concerned?
Vaginal wind on its own is not a medical concern. However, there are specific symptoms that do warrant a visit to your GP — and it is important not to dismiss them.
A foul smell accompanying vaginal wind may indicate a vaginal fistula — a small tear or opening between the vagina and the bladder, bowel, or rectum through which gas (and sometimes urine or stool) can pass. This requires specialist medical treatment.
You should also seek advice if you experience persistent or unusual vaginal discharge, recurring UTIs or vaginal infections, pain during sex, or ongoing irritation around the vulva or perineum.
How to reduce vaginal wind
If vaginal wind is affecting your confidence or quality of life, there is plenty you can do. The most effective long-term solution is strengthening your pelvic floor — but there are also some practical short-term strategies that help.
Pelvic floor exercises with Kegel8
Strengthening the pelvic floor is the single most effective way to reduce vaginal wind over time. Improved muscle tone reduces vaginal laxity, limits the space available for air to become trapped, and gives you better control. The Kegel8 Ultra 20 V2 includes targeted programmes designed specifically around pelvic floor tone and support — and electronic pelvic toning ensures the right muscles are being worked correctly, even if you have struggled to feel the benefit from manual Kegels before.
Vaginal pessary
A vaginal pessary can provide gentle internal support to the pelvic floor, helping to reduce the size of the vaginal opening (genital hiatus). Research suggests that regular pessary use can improve vaginal laxity, with the genital hiatus becoming measurably smaller after just a few weeks of use — limiting the movement of air in and out of the vagina.[1] Browse our full range of vaginal pessaries.
Sex position adjustments
Positions where the woman is on top generally allow less space in the vagina and reduce the likelihood of air becoming trapped. Doggy style tends to be a more common trigger. Some women find that gently tensing the pelvic floor and anus during sex helps minimise air pressure and the resulting sound.
Adjusting your exercise routine
Inverted yoga poses — where the legs are raised above the hips — create space in the vaginal canal as organs shift downward, drawing air in. Keeping your legs together during these poses and engaging your pelvic floor can help. Wearing SRC support garments during exercise also provides external compression and support to the pelvic floor.
Kegel8 recommends
5 Things That Can Help Reduce Vaginal Wind
Kegel8 Ultra 20 V2 Pelvic Toner
The most effective long-term solution — targeted electronic pelvic toning strengthens the muscles that support the vaginal walls and reduce laxity.
Shop the Ultra 20 →Vaginal Pessaries
Provide gentle internal support to the pelvic floor, reducing the genital hiatus and limiting air movement. Shown in studies to reduce vaginal wind episodes.
Browse pessaries →SRC Restore Support Garments
Clinically proven compression shorts and leggings that support the pelvic floor during exercise — reducing the laxity that allows air to become trapped.
Browse support garments →Emy Pelvic Floor Trainer
Not sure how strong your pelvic floor really is? Emy connects to an app to show you the strength of every squeeze in real time — so you can see exactly what your muscles are doing and track your progress. If your muscles feel very weak, step up to the Kegel8 Ultra 20 V2 for electronic stimulation that works the muscles for you.
Shop Emy →Pelvic Floor Exercise Guide
Not sure where to start? Our guide to pelvic floor exercises walks you through everything — from finding the right muscles to building a daily routine.
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Yes — completely. Vaginal wind is very common and affects women of all ages. It is simply air being released from the vaginal canal and has no odour. Most women experience it at some point, particularly during sex or exercise. If it happens frequently, it may be worth looking at your pelvic floor strength — but it is not in itself a cause for concern.
Certain movements — particularly hip-opening stretches, inverted yoga poses, and high-impact exercise — create conditions where air can enter the vaginal canal more easily. If your pelvic floor muscles are weakened, the vagina has less structural support, making it more prone to trapping and releasing air. Strengthening the pelvic floor with regular Kegel exercises, and wearing supportive garments during exercise, can both help reduce this.
Yes — research confirms that women with reduced pelvic floor muscle tone are significantly more likely to experience vaginal wind. When the muscles that support the vaginal walls are weakened, there is more space for air to become trapped and less control over its release. The good news is that this is very treatable — consistent pelvic floor exercises, with or without an electronic pelvic toner, can make a real difference within 8–12 weeks.
No. Unlike flatulence, vaginal wind is not gas from the bowel — it is simply air, and it has no odour. If you notice a foul smell accompanying vaginal wind, or alongside unusual discharge, this could indicate a vaginal fistula — a tear or opening between the vagina and another organ such as the rectum or bladder. This requires medical assessment and you should contact your GP.
Yes — research shows that vaginal pessaries can reduce the size of the vaginal opening (genital hiatus), which limits the movement of air in and out of the vagina. A small study found that women reported fewer episodes of vaginal wind when using a pessary, likely due to improved pelvic support and stability.[1] A pessary works best as part of a wider approach that includes pelvic floor strengthening.
It can. Declining oestrogen levels during menopause cause the vaginal walls to become thinner, less elastic, and less well supported — which can increase the likelihood of vaginal wind, particularly during exercise. Maintaining a strong pelvic floor through regular Kegel exercises is one of the most important things you can do to counteract these changes. Topical oestrogen cream, if appropriate for you, can also help restore vaginal tissue strength.
Most women notice an improvement in pelvic floor tone within 8–12 weeks of consistent exercise. Using the Kegel8 Ultra 20 V2 ensures you are targeting the right muscles effectively — and the dedicated 12-week programme takes the guesswork out of building a routine. As with all pelvic floor work, consistency matters more than intensity.
Our team in East Yorkshire has been helping women take control of their pelvic health for over 30 years. Whether you're dealing with vaginal wind, prolapse, bladder leaks, or simply want to stay strong — we're here for you.
Sources & further reading
- Jones, K., Yang, L., Lowder, J.L., Meyn, L., Ellison, R., Zyczynski, H.M., Moalli, P. and Lee, T. (2008) 'Effect of pessary use on genital hiatus measurements in women with pelvic organ prolapse.' Obstetrics and Gynecology, 112(3), pp. 630–636. [Viewed 21 May 2026]. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/abstract/2008/09000/effect_of_pessary_use_on_genital_hiatus.19.aspx
- Lone, F. et al. (2020) 'Is vaginal flatus related to pelvic floor functional anatomy?' PubMed Observational Study. [Viewed 21 May 2026]. Available from: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32529562
