When I bend, I feel air entering me
Dear Dr,
Five months ago, I gave birth and got a tear, which was treated but never healed well. Now, when I bend, I feel air entering my vagina.

When I stand, it comes out like I am farting. I fear having sex now and feel like quitting marriage.
Immaculate

Dear Immaculate,
During child birth, the muscles around the vagina are stretched. This makes them weak. More deliveries and tears make the problem worse. This may cause air to be taken in through the vagina when you bend.

There are some exercises which help strengthen these muscles. They are called Kegel exercises, which are simple and easy to do.

A midwife can teach you. They involve tightening and loosening the muscles, like you are stopping urine. Do them regularly, for up to six months and you will find improvement. They even make sex better.

You can use a large sized tampon in the vagina in the meanwhile. This prevents air being taken in. A doctor can also do an operation to tighten these muscles.

Dr. Paul Semugoma