[Vaginal gas: Review]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article was to review the literature about vaginal winds (VW).

Methods: A literature review (Medline database, Cochrane Library and Google scholar) with no time limit was performed using keywords "vaginal winds", "vaginal noise", "vaginal gaz", "flatus vaginalis", "vaginal flatus", "colpophony", "Garrulitas vulvae", "vaginal laxity".

Results: From 412 articles about VW, 15 have been selected and 99 from 110 about vaginal laxity. VW occurs during physical exercises but also during and just after coïtus. The prevalence is about 20%. The pathophyiology of VW is probably a vaginal hyperlaxity itself secondary to pelvic floor muscles weakness and thus increased diameter of vaginal hiatus. VW alter sexual function in female patients but this sexual function seems not influenced in male partners. Tampons or pessaries are currently the most commonly proposed treatment (but naturally impossible to use during sexual intercourse), but some results from vaginal laser therapy are encouraging.

Conclusion: Data from the literature suggest that vaginal winds are frequent and seriously impact quality of life of female patients. Childbirth and more generally vaginal laxity are the main causes. Pelvic-floor exercises, tampons, pessaries, surgery and laser can be proposed in order to improve sexual function in patients seeking treatment.

Keywords: Bruits vaginaux; Colpophonie; Colpophony; Female sexual function; Flatus vaginalis; Garrulitas vulvae; Gaz vaginaux; Incontinence urinaire; Laxité vaginale; Post-partum; Postpartum; Prolaps; Prolapsus; Troubles sexuels; Urinary incontinence; Vaginal flatus; Vaginal gas; Vaginal laxity; Vaginal noise; Vaginal winds; Vents vaginaux.