EMBARRASSED BY MY FARTING VAGINA

Dear Pastor, I have a very shameful problem, and I hope you can help me. I am 24 years old, and I have a oneyear-old child. Before I got pregnant and was having sex with my boyfriend, my vagina kept making funny noises and expressing air as though it was ‘farting’. After the birth of my child, I think the problem has worsened. I am scared to talk to my doctor about it because I am too embarrassed. It is affecting my sex life! I do not want to have sex because I feel as though I am farting on my man during intercourse, and I have no control over it!

I have read up a bit about my problem over the Internet, and I think it has something to do with the shape of my vagina, but I haven’t been able to locate a cure. Can you help me? Is there a home remedy or easy physical practice that you think would be of any help to me? Or would I need an operation? I desperately look forward to hearing from you soon. Initials withheld by request Dear writer, You should not be afraid or ashamed to talk to your gynaecologist about your problem. According to sex therapist Dr Ruth Westheimer, “Sometimes when a woman is exercising, or during intercourse, air can be forced into the vagina, and when the woman changes position, it goes back out, producing a sound as if she were passing gas. This is a common occurrence and should not be a cause of embarrassment.” Some men laugh when their women’s vaginas make funny sounds, but the women express disgust. So see your gynaecologist. He/she would perhaps discuss with you the strengthening of your pubococcygeus muscles, etc. Pastor