Why does the vagina make a sound during sex?
Where the sound actually comes from, why it has nothing to do with the vagina being loose, and the rare situations in which it is worth seeing a doctor.
A sound from the vagina during sex is one of the things women feel most self-conscious about, and it is an entirely normal, harmless physical event. Its source is not bowel gas but clean air that enters the vagina during intercourse. It does not mean the vagina is "wide" or "loose". What follows explains why it happens, and when — rarely — it is worth seeing a doctor.
What causes the sound?
At rest, the vagina is closed, its front and back walls touching. During sexual arousal the upper part of the vagina temporarily widens and lengthens upwards. Movement during intercourse pushes air from outside into that enlarged space and traps it. When the direction of movement changes, or when intercourse ends, the trapped air escapes through the narrower vaginal opening, and the vibration that occurs as it does so produces the sound. This is a purely mechanical event with nothing whatever to do with gas in the digestive system.
Does it have anything to do with the vagina being wide?
No. This is an entirely normal physical event that often happens even to young women who have never given birth and whose pelvic floor muscles are strong. That an elastic vagina can move during intercourse is a sign of healthy gynaecological function. In the first weeks after childbirth it can happen more often, because the pelvic floor muscles are temporarily relaxed, but that is a passing state as the muscles recover. In older age, or with prolapse of an organ, the vaginal opening can be slightly more open, so it can also happen more often then.
When is it worth seeing a doctor?
The great majority of cases are entirely harmless. An assessment may be needed, though, where the following accompany it:
- leakage of gas or stool along with the sound from the vagina
- foul-smelling discharge, constant irritation or recurrent urinary tract infections
- a "popping" sound during intercourse or examination together with itching and a feeling of fullness
These signs can point to certain rare conditions — an abnormal connection between the bowel and the vagina, or an infection — and call for medical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is this something to be embarrassed about? No. It is a consequence of the body's normal anatomy and something most women experience at some point in their lives.
Can it happen less often? Exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can help in some cases; but since this is entirely harmless, there is no need to worry about it.
This page is for information. It does not replace an examination or individual medical advice.