Problem page - Strange body noises

Strange body noises

The vagina can fill with air during sex or exercise, like a whoopee cushion
Polyps (fleshy lumps) in the nostril can cause whistling through the nose during breathing
Hiccups occur in the unborn baby in the second half of the pregnancy and after birth

Vaginal noises
‘Farting’ noises from the vagina occur commonly during or after sex, or while exercising when the bottom is higher than the shoulders. The noise is due to air that has entered the vagina passing out. To avoid this during sex, try different ‘bottom-down’ positions. It may be possible to stop the noises happening during exercise by using a tampon or sanitary pad to stop air entering the vagina. Tampons used in this way should be removed after exercising so that the vagina doesn’t dry out too much and let harmful bacteria cause problems.

Because the vagina stretches during sex, vaginal noises after sex can become worse after you have had a baby as more air is able to collect. There is little that can be done to remedy this, but making sure your pelvic floor muscles are toned up could help. These are the muscles that loop round the vagina, the urethra (the tube that runs from the bladder to the outside that urine passes through) and the anus. You can tighten them by pretending that you are trying to stop passing urine - pull up slowly to a count of 5, hold for a further 5 counts, then gently relax again. Repeat this at least 20 times a day, and you should feel a benefit after a few weeks. It is important to continue with these exercises throughout your life to keep them firm. Pelvic floor exercises can also improve your sex life!

Hiccups
Hiccups are very common and normal. They occur when the muscles used for breathing in suddenly contract powerfully - why this should happen, no one really knows. They tend to be more common when the stomach is very full or after drinking alcohol. Problems such as stomach ulcers or inflammation of the gullet (oesophagus) can make hiccups more likely. Very rarely, some people find they cannot get rid of hiccups. There are a few medicines which can be helpful in these situations, and your doctor can advise you about this. Persistent hiccups are often associated with certain health problems such as heart attacks or some cancers.

Jonathan Belsey and Alison Martin

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