Frequent vaginal flatulence during sex in women may indicate four underlying conditions and how to treat them.

To create a romantic and wonderful atmosphere for sex, men and women go to great lengths to prepare, but sometimes unexpected things still happen. Have you ever experienced an awkward moment during "passion"? What image suddenly flashes through your mind?

Being caught by an elderly person, a sleeping child suddenly waking up, receiving a sudden phone call from the boss...

Actually, these things are all okay; you just need to be mentally stronger. But if you experience sexual dysfunction, that's incredibly frustrating! Let me tell you about an embarrassing situation a good friend of mine recently encountered:

Just as the girl and her boyfriend were getting intimate, a "poof" sound suddenly came from her private parts, and she felt a wisp of air escape from her vagina. The girl was immediately stunned, and her boyfriend quickly reassured her, "The internet says this is a normal physiological reaction for women." But how could this usually sensitive girl not be bothered? She felt incredibly embarrassed (feeling like she wanted to die), completely lost her libido, and had no idea what had gone wrong.

Ladies, are you worried that one day your "sex" with your boyfriend will be ruined by "vaginal flatulence"? What exactly is vaginal flatulence, does it need treatment, and how can it be prevented? Dr. Hong Min, Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, will answer these questions one by one.

This is commonly seen after childbirth and in women who are weak and vulnerable, like Lin Daiyu.

Hong Min explained that vaginal flatulence refers to the expulsion of gas from the vagina, also known as vaginal flatulence. The sound is embarrassing, like farting from the anus, but there is no odor.

Modern medicine believes that vaginal flatulence is caused by the relaxation of vaginal muscles and pelvic floor tissues, and it often occurs in women who have given birth, as well as women who are physically weak (even unmarried and childless women can be affected if they are too weak) . In a woman's private garden, a normal vagina is tightly closed, with the vaginal opening like two tightly closed doors. However, during childbirth, the fetus passes through the birth canal, causing the vagina to relax due to over-expansion, and even lose elasticity. Repeated births or inadequate postpartum care can lead to the vaginal walls not closing tightly, and the pelvic floor muscles becoming relaxed, sometimes even forming cavities. When the abdomen moves or is subjected to external pressure, vaginal flatulence can easily occur.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, vaginal flatulence in women during sexual intercourse is caused by the failure of the body's vital energy to rise, resulting in the energy sinking and leaking out through the vagina. This condition is often seen in women with weak constitutions, especially those who have been ill for a long time and are physically weak.

"Vaginal flatulence" suggests four problems with the internal organs.

Hong Min stated that there are four most common reasons why a woman's vital energy (qi) fails to rise properly:

1. Insufficient constitution (poor physical condition). A woman's constitution may be inherently weak, or she may have suffered from prolonged illness, inadequate postpartum care, or multiple pregnancies. All of these factors can lead to a weak spleen and stomach, and a deficiency of qi and blood. Traditional Chinese medicine speaks of the five internal organs and six bowels; the spleen is responsible for ascending qi. When the spleen's qi cannot ascend, the clear qi cannot rise and instead descends. When this qi escapes from the vagina, it causes vaginal flatulence.

2. The Liver Qi fails to ascend. Like the Spleen, the Liver governs ascent. When the Liver is invaded by cold pathogens, and the Liver Meridian is congested by the cold pathogens, it will affect the Liver Qi's function of ascending. The Liver Qi sinks and causes vaginal flatulence.

3. Liver Qi Stagnation. Women are sensitive creatures, and some are particularly prone to emotional distress, easily becoming upset over minor things. Others face immense work pressure, and if these negative emotions aren't addressed promptly, the liver qi can gradually stagnate. Stagnant liver qi can then flow in a reversed direction, preventing the upward flow of clear qi and potentially triggering vaginal flatulence.

4. Obstruction by cold drinks. Consuming too much raw, cold, or cooling food, such as cold fruits, frozen drinks, and ice cream, can obstruct the flow of cold drinks in a woman's body. This prevents the clear yang energy from rising and causes it to sink, resulting in vaginal flatulence.

Traditional Chinese medicine can help you say goodbye to embarrassing vaginal flatulence.

“Vaginal flatulence does not affect a woman’s quality of life, nor does it cause much discomfort,” Hong Min reminded, adding that patients do not need to worry excessively and add unnecessary psychological burden. However, vaginal flatulence can indeed affect the harmony of a couple’s sex life, and in severe cases, it can occur even outside of sexual activity in public, causing social embarrassment. Therefore, treatment is still necessary.

Before treatment, it is recommended to have a gynecological examination to check for infection. If an infection is found, antibiotics will be used for treatment. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine will be used to regulate the body according to the patient's condition.

1. Vaginal flatulence due to spleen deficiency – Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Benefit the Qi Decoction)

For spleen deficiency, the first choice is to tonify the spleen and replenish qi, strengthening the middle qi. Treatment should use a modified version of the Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonifying the Middle and Replenishing Qi Decoction). The basic formula of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang consists of: Astragalus membranaceus (also called Bei Qi), Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Angelica sinensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (processed), Bupleurum chinense, Ephedra sinica, and Citrus reticulata peel. Women with spleen deficiency are encouraged to eat more Astragalus membranaceus regularly; it can be used to make soup with Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula, and red dates.

Astragalus, Codonopsis, and Red Date Soup

Ingredients: 2 slices of astragalus root, 2 roots of codonopsis root, 12 red dates.

Instructions: Rinse the astragalus, codonopsis, and red dates under running water, soak for two hours, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.

Efficacy: Codonopsis pilosula has the effects of tonifying the middle energizer and replenishing qi, strengthening the spleen and benefiting the lungs; Astragalus membranaceus is mainly used to tonify deficiency and is often used for those who are weak for a long time, have weak speech, and weak pulse; Red dates are sweet and warm in nature, and enter the spleen and stomach meridians. They have the functions of tonifying the middle energizer and replenishing qi, nourishing blood and calming the mind, and moderating the effects of other medicines. Dates are rich in calcium and iron. Women are prone to anemia, and dates have an ideal dietary therapy effect for them.

2. Liver wood failing to ascend, causing vaginal flatulence – Evodia Decoction

For those with Jueyin Liver Wood failing to ascend, the treatment should focus on warming the liver, dispelling cold, and relieving the sinking condition. The appropriate treatment is a modified version of Wu Zhu Yu Tang (Evodia Decoction). The basic formula of Wu Zhu Yu Tang includes: Evodia rutaecarpa, Angelica sinensis, prepared licorice root, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Platycodon grandiflorus, Asarum sieboldii, dried ginger, and dried Rehmannia glutinosa. Women with this condition should regularly consume pepper and pork tripe soup, add Sichuan peppercorns to stir-fries, and are well-suited to Sichuan cuisine.

Peppered Pork Tripe Soup

Ingredients: 1 pig stomach, 640g pork ribs, 1 tablespoon white peppercorns.

Instructions: Clean the pig stomach and blanch it in boiling water to remove any unpleasant smell. Then, put the white pepper and blanched pork ribs into the pig stomach, and put them into a soup pot along with the jujubes. Add enough water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 2 hours until the soup turns milky white. Remove the pig stomach, cut it into strips, put it back into the soup pot, and cook for another 15 minutes. Season with salt.

Efficacy: Peppered pork tripe soup is a traditional Han Chinese medicinal dish that has the effects of warming the middle and strengthening the spleen, dispelling cold and relieving pain.

3. Vaginal flatulence due to liver qi stagnation – Chaihu Shugan San (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder)

For liver qi stagnation, the treatment should focus on soothing the liver and regulating qi. A modified Chaihu Shugan San (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder) is recommended. The basic formula of Chaihu Shugan San consists of: Bupleurum, Peony Root, Bitter Orange Peel, Prepared Licorice Root, Tangerine Peel, Ligusticum Rhizome, and Cyperus Rhizome. For women experiencing this condition, it is suggested to drink more rose tea, exercise more to sweat more, and travel to relax.

Rose tea

Ingredients: 6-8 dried roses.

Instructions: Place rose petals in a teacup, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 5-10 minutes before drinking.

Efficacy: Rose petals have a sweet and slightly bitter taste and are warm in nature. Their most prominent effects are regulating qi and relieving depression, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and regulating menstruation and relieving pain. In addition, the medicinal properties of rose petals are very mild, which can nourish the heart, liver and blood vessels, relieve internal stagnation, and have a calming, soothing and anti-depressant effect.

4. Cold phlegm obstructing vaginal flatulence – Linggui Zhugan Decoction

For cold-phlegm obstruction, the appropriate treatment is a modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction to warm the Yang, resolve phlegm, strengthen the spleen, and promote diuresis. The basic formula of Linggui Zhugan Decoction includes: Poria cocos, Cinnamomum cassia (peeled), Atractylodes macrocephala, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (prepared). Women with this condition should drink more pepper and pork tripe soup and avoid eating frozen or cold foods.

Learn something new:

Can frequent sexual intercourse or vaginal infections cause vaginal flatulence?

Q: I've heard that frequent sexual intercourse, or vaginal infections such as anaerobic bacteria or trichomoniasis, can also cause vaginal flatulence ?

Hong Min explains: For women with normal physical health and a stable sexual partner, the frequency of sexual intercourse is unlikely to be so high as to cause vaginal laxity. Vaginal laxity is more common in women who have given birth, whether they have had many children or, even if they haven't had many, they haven't recovered well postpartum. Vaginal muscle contraction exercises can improve pelvic floor laxity.

As for vaginal infections, it's rare for the first infection to cause vaginal flatulence. Women typically experience increased vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, or vaginal discomfort. However, recurrent vaginal infections can potentially cause vaginal flatulence, as recurrent infections are considered a deficiency pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine. When this occurs, it's important to seek medical attention promptly and undergo anti-infective treatment under a doctor's guidance.

Expert introduction

Hong Min is the Director, Chief Physician, and Professor of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University. She is skilled in using classical Chinese medicine formulas and advocates for the treatment of cough and asthma, fever due to external pathogens, gastrointestinal diseases, acne, eczema, urticaria, menstrual disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease, sub-health conditions, and geriatric diseases using pure Chinese herbal medicine. She has particular expertise in treating deficiency-cold syndromes. (Correspondent: Pan Yingyuan)