The session is almost over and Anna notices that I am working towards ending our conversation. She looks at her cell phone to see what time it is and starts to look nervous. “Do we still have a minute? After all, I want to discuss something else with you…” I indicate that we still have some time. Anna starts to share her story. “Well, you know, I find it a little uncomfortable… But uhm… I sometimes have something during sex, well, how do you call that? Well, that suddenly, let’s say, air comes out of my vagina…”
She looks desperate as she utters the words, and I notice that her ears have changed color. “Aha,” I respond, “and when that air comes out, does it make the sound like a fart?” “YES!” Says she a little too loud. “Uhm, I mean, that does happen sometimes, yes,” she then adds a bit more calm.
“Okay,” I say. “That’s called ‘queefing.'” “Sorry, what?” Anna asks. “Queefing,” I repeat. “Air can enter the vagina from time to time, and of course that air has to come out. This can happen during sex, but also at other times, like during exercise, for example. It’s quite normal,” I tell her. “Oh,” Anna sighs. “But what about that sound? Is that normal?” “Yes,” I say. “That, too, is very normal. So it’s not a fart, but it can sound that way. Of course, that can be a little embarrassing, but well, aren’t all bodies a little embarrassing sometimes. Fortunately, it doesn’t stink.” Anna laughs.
