Bleeding after sex is not normal and may indicate serious underlying conditions, including STDs, cervical growths, and cancer. Menopausal vaginal dryness is the least problematic cause, but it can be treated with hormone therapy or lubrication. Women should seek medical attention promptly to rule out serious conditions.
Bleeding after intercourse is generally not considered normal. Many people view it as normal or as a result of “rough sex,” which may have resulted in vaginal trauma. This rarely causes bleeding. Rather, women who notice this condition usually need to see a doctor to determine the cause, as there are many serious and even life-threatening underlying conditions that could have bleeding after sex as a symptom.
The least problematic condition that could cause bleeding after intercourse is prolonged vaginal dryness in women who have completed menopause. Insufficient lubrication can create irritation inside the vagina, which causes bleeding. There are ways to deal with this dryness including using hormone treatments or making sure you use ample lubrication during sexual activity. An ob-gyn is a good resource for information on this topic and can also perform an exam to rule out other medical problems.
Some of these include some STDs, which may not always have many other symptoms. In particular, chlamydia is known to experience no symptoms in more than half of the infections that occur. However, one symptom that can be produced and ignored is bleeding after intercourse. Gonorrhea infection could also cause abnormal bleeding after sex. An infection doesn’t have to be sexually transmitted to cause postcoital bleeding; any type of vaginitis, yeast or bacterial, may also be indicated.
A variety of conditions affecting the cervix might have post-intercourse bleeding as a symptom. Sometimes people develop polyps or small growths on the cervix that cause this. Alternatively, there may be cervical inflammation, called cervicitis or cervical ectropion. The latter simply means a higher likelihood of cervical irritation particularly with sexual intercourse, and this can sometimes require treatment. Cervical cancer is another potential cause of bleeding after sex.
Cancer in many parts of the reproductive tract could cause abnormal bleeding. It may be present in the vagina or uterus. Things like fibroids or polyps in the uterus are another possible cause. Pelvic inflammatory disease and chronic conditions such as endometriosis may also be suspected.
One cause of bleeding after intercourse that deserves mention is menstrual bleeding. Sometimes a period begins just as the relationship ends. This is usually the easiest cause to identify, since continuous menstruation makes it pretty clear that intercourse didn’t really result in bleeding.
In most cases, women are advised to take post-intercourse bleeding very seriously. It can indicate that significant problems are present and these may require immediate attention. Such care should not be delayed until an annual checkup, as some of the diseases or conditions that cause bleeding after intercourse can harm the reproductive system or threaten overall health without prompt treatment.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
