Bleeding After Sex? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying To Tell You

If you are not wherever close to your interval, it’d really feel alarming to see a little bit of blood after you have had intercourse. You would possibly even surprise if it means one thing critical.

Concern not: Vaginal bleeding after intercourse (additionally referred to as postcoital bleeding) is definitely fairly widespread. In reality, mild bleeding after intercourse occurs to as much as 9 % of all menstruating folks. And most causes aren’t trigger for concern.

“There are various causes of postcoital bleeding,” says Jamy Bulgarelli, DO, OB/GYN at Pediatrix Medical Group in Grand Prairie, Texas. “However most causes are benign.”

Study the commonest causes of bleeding after intercourse right here, together with different indicators and signs to observe for, and find out how to deal with every.

“There are various causes of postcoital bleeding, however most causes are benign.” —Jamy Bulgarelli, DO, OB/GYN, gynecologist

1. Vaginal infections

Probably the most widespread causes of bleeding after intercourse is a vaginal an infection, says Dr. Bulgarelli. There are a number of totally different pathogens that may trigger vaginal infections, with the commonest being STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and herpes. Much less generally, yeast infections or an an infection referred to as bacterial vaginosis (BV) may cause bleeding after intercourse, says Dr. Bulgarelli.

“Infections, significantly sexually transmitted ones, can result in important irritation of the cervix (cervicitis), making it extra liable to bleeding throughout or after intercourse,” explains Dr. Bulgarelli. “Widespread signs of those infections embrace irregular vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, itching or irritation, urinary signs, and pelvic ache.”

Some folks could even bleed after intercourse with out ache or different signs, she says.

Repair it

In the event you assume you might need an STI or different an infection, see your OB/GYN for testing.

Remedy for vaginal infections is dependent upon the kind of an infection you will have. STIs and BV are handled with antibiotics or antiviral drugs, whereas vaginal yeast infections are handled with topical or oral antifungal drugs.

2. Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a standard reason for bleeding after intercourse, says Kelly Culwell, MD, OB/GYN, often known as Dr. Girl Physician. Dryness “makes the vagina extra delicate and susceptible to irritation or tears throughout vaginal intercourse,” she explains.

Whereas pure lubrication of your vaginal partitions can ebb and circulation all through the month, excessive dryness often occurs when your estrogen ranges are low, says Dr. Culwell, like throughout menopause or perimenopause (i.e., the transition to menopause). In response to the American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), decrease estrogen ranges are additionally widespread after childbirth and throughout the postpartum interval, in addition to while you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

Repair it

Add some moisture to your vagina by making use of a lubricant earlier than intercourse.“There are additionally vaginal moisturizers that can be utilized regularly (not simply earlier than intercourse), particularly in case your dryness is bothersome at any time of day,” notes Dr. Cullwell. One to strive? Foria’s Midlife Magic set.

3. Vaginal atrophy

Throughout perimenopause, your vaginal tissues would possibly get skinny and delicate, much less elastic, and susceptible to tears, in any other case often known as vaginal atrophy, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, chief medical officer at Bonafide Well being. When mixed with low estrogen ranges and vaginal dryness, it’s possible you’ll turn out to be extra more likely to bleed after intercourse.

“Blood could be brilliant purple with a average circulation, or pink with mild circulation, and is often accompanied by ache or burning,” says Dr. Dweck.

Repair it

Identical to with dryness, bleeding from vaginal atrophy could be prevented through the use of a vaginal lubricant. Dr. Dweck suggests discovering a vaginal moisturizer with hyaluronic acid as a essential ingredient. Getting prescribed a vaginal estrogen cream by your gynecologist can be useful, she provides.

4. Vaginal or anal tearing

Vaginal bleeding can occur because of tough intercourse, anal intercourse, or having sexual activity for the primary time, says Ila Dayananda, MD, MPH OB/GYN and chief medical officer of Oula Well being. That is often because of the delicate tissue in your genital or anal space tearing or turning into broken.

Repair it

“If bleeding is from tough intercourse, permitting time for therapeutic and working towards gentler sexual exercise could resolve the problem,” says Dr. Dayananda. “Lubricants may be useful.”

In some instances, hormone remedy mixed with lubricants and moisturizers can alleviate signs, particularly if you’re in perimenopause. However after all, discuss to your physician to see whether or not hormone remedy is best for you.

5. Cervical polyps

In some instances, bleeding after intercourse could be from small (sometimes innocent) growths in your cervix referred to as cervical polyps, says Dr. Dweck.

“Bleeding [from polyps] is often brilliant purple and may trigger important circulation for some folks,” she provides. Though the causes of cervical polyps aren’t absolutely understood, they’re pretty widespread, says Dr. Dweck.

Repair it

Cervical polyps are sometimes discovered throughout a routine gynecologic examination, a colonoscopy, or a transvaginal ultrasound, in line with the Nationwide Library of Medication.

“Whereas most polyps will fall off or go away on their very own, some can develop fairly massive and will require surgical elimination,” says Dr. Dweck. Some folks could have to see the physician regularly to regulate them.

In the event you assume polyps are the offender, make an appointment along with your gynecologist to get them checked out.

6. Being pregnant

Vaginal bleeding whereas pregnant at all times warrants a visit to the OB/GYN. However imagine it or not, mild bleeding or recognizing throughout the first trimester of being pregnant is definitely fairly widespread. In reality, about 15 to 25 % of pregnant folks bleed throughout the first trimester, in line with ACOG.

This may be from the implantation of the fertilized egg in your uterus, or further blood circulation to your cervix, which might make you extra susceptible to vaginal bleeding, per ACOG. Recognizing whereas pregnant may also occur throughout a pelvic examination or after intercourse.

Repair it

Though mild vaginal bleeding in your first trimester shouldn’t be dangerous, you must nonetheless let your OB/GYN know when it occurs. They may also help you rule out any doubtlessly critical causes of bleeding, simply in case.

7. Hardly ever, it may imply cervical most cancers

It is fairly uncommon, however bleeding after intercourse can generally imply most cancers, says Dr. Dayananda. You will seemingly produce other signs moreover postcoital bleeding, like irregular bleeding between durations or bleeding after menopause, she provides. “Some folks may have pelvic ache or ache throughout intercourse,” she provides.

Danger components for cervical most cancers embrace smoking, a earlier chlamydia an infection, long-term contraception use, and a household historical past of this sort of most cancers. The best danger issue, although, is the human papillomavirus an infection (HPV), which is why common screenings for HPV and common pap smears are necessary, per the American Most cancers Society.

Repair it

Be sure to’re getting routine pap smears and HPV screenings, as these may also help detect cervical most cancers in its early phases and stop critical instances. “Early detection is essential for higher outcomes,” emphasizes Dr. Dayananada.

And naturally, make sure to convey up any “out of the peculiar” signs you are feeling to your gynecologist.

When to see a physician

More often than not, vaginal bleeding after intercourse is a one-time deal and is not trigger for concern, says Dr. Bulgarelli. But when your bleeding persists, occurs each time you will have intercourse, or could be very heavy, attain out to your physician.

You also needs to name the physician if bleeding comes with different signs like vaginal discharge, pelvic ache, and strange odors, provides Dr. Bulgarelli. That is very true should you’re previous menopause and have vaginal bleeding, no matter frequency or severity.

The underside line? Many individuals with vaginas expertise bleeding after intercourse at one level or one other. So no have to panic! In the event you’re ever not sure, although, you may at all times name your physician about your signs and schedule an appointment.

—medically reviewed by Andrea Braden, MD, OB/GYN