ask: I have been experiencing air building up and releasing (with embarrassing flatulence-like noise!) from my vagina during intercourse. What causes this, and what can be done to prevent this?

According to Scott G Chudnoff, MD, "The production of vaginal noises during intercourse is not uncommon for many couples and typically is related to the physics of penetration during intercourse. The sounds are primarily related to air being forced out of the vagina during thrusting of the penis into the vaginal vault. Air can get trapped in the back of the vagina behind the penis during penetration. As the penis is thrust deeper, the pressure builds and vaginal compliance will reach a peak, causing the air to escape around the penis. The sound created is from the slapping of the vaginal walls (think whoopee cushion)."

Women who have given birth two or more times or a vaginal vault prolapse are predisposed to this condition.

Position changes during intercourse can help to accentuate this condition in several ways. First, during position changes the penis is often removed from the vagina and reinserted in the new position. The more times the penis is completely removed from the vagina and reinserted, the more likely air will be trapped inside and forced out.

Penis size does not contribute to this condition.

Maryann