Adopt slow thrust during sex, expert advises women with vaginal flatulence

Nnenna Jonah, an Abuja based gynaecologist, has urged women with vaginal flatulence to adopt slower thrust during sexual intercourse.

She also advised women to imbibe the culture of excising the pelvis.

Jonah told NAN on Thursday in Abuja that exercising the pelvis before and after childbirth helps prevent and manage vaginal flatulence.

She described vaginal flatulence, also known as a “queef”, as an emission of trapped air from the vagina.

According to her, a queef produces a sound that is similar to anal flatulence, saying that vaginal flatulence doesn’t have a specific odour.

She noted that vaginal flatulence was typically considered normal and does not pose any health risks to women.

Jonah blamed sexual intercourse or inserting something else into the vagina which could transfer air inside as a causative factor to the condition.

Placing a penis, finger, tampon, sex aid or other objects into the vagina can have this effect.

“It is also common to experience vaginal flatulence during a pelvic exam, when a doctor inserts a speculum device.

“Exercise or stretching movements during exercise such as yoga can cause air to become trapped inside the vagina thereby leading to the development of the condition.

“Some women report more episodes of vaginal flatulence during pregnancy or menopause,’’ she said.

The gynaecologist also attributed pelvic floor weakness to childbirth and sometimes a vaginal or pelvic organ prolapsed as factors that pose the risk of developing the condition.

“Certain procedures, such as a colonoscopy, surgery, vaginal childbirth and giving birth at a young age were associated with a higher incidence of vaginal flatulence,” she added.

The expert suggested kegel exercises which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles as a measure that can reduce the risk of queefing.

“To perform kegels, squeeze the muscles you use to stop urination and hold this contraction for up to 10 seconds and then relax for 10 seconds and continue.

“Adopting slower thrusts during sexual intercourse in order to stop air from entering helps reduce vaginal flatulence development as well managing it,’’ she advised.

Jonah enjoined women with vaginal flatulence that has a strong odour as well as unusual discharge to seek urgent medical assistance.