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What Causes Bleeding After Intercourse?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Bleeding after intercourse is generally not considered a normal. Many people dismiss this as normal or a result of “rough sex,” that might have resulted in vaginal trauma. It is rarely the case that this causes bleeding. Rather, women who note this condition usually need to see a doctor to determine the cause, since there are many serious and even life-threatening underlying conditions that might have bleeding after sex as a symptom.

The least problematic condition that could result in bleeding after intercourse is prolonged vaginal dryness, in women who have completed menopause. Insufficient lubrication may create irritation inside the vagina, which causes some bleeding. There are ways to address this dryness including using hormonal treatments or making sure to use ample lubrication during sexual activity. A gynecologist is a good resource for information on this topic, and can also perform an exam to rule out any other medical problems.

A gynecologist can help a woman discover the reason for bleeding after intercourse.
A gynecologist can help a woman discover the reason for bleeding after intercourse.

Some of these include certain sexually transmitted diseases, which may not always have many other symptoms. In particular, chlamydia is known not manifesting symptoms in over half of infections that occur. Nevertheless, one symptom that may be produced and ignored is bleeding after intercourse. Infection with gonorrhea might also result in abnormal bleeding after sex. An infection doesn’t have to be sexually transmitted to result in post-coital bleeding; any type of vaginitis, yeast or bacterial, could be indicated too.

Any kind of bleeding after intercourse should be taken seriously and not dismissed.
Any kind of bleeding after intercourse should be taken seriously and not dismissed.

A variety of conditions that affect the cervix could have post-intercourse bleeding as a symptom. Sometimes people develop polyps or small growths on the cervix that result in this. Alternately, cervical inflammation, called cervicitis, or cervical ectropion could be present. The latter simply means greater likelihood of cervical irritation particularly with intercourse, and this may sometimes require treatment. Cervical cancer is another potential cause of bleeding after sex.

Ovarian cysts can cause some women to experience abnormal bleeding.
Ovarian cysts can cause some women to experience abnormal bleeding.

Cancer in many parts of the reproductive tract might result in abnormal bleeding. It could 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 like endometriosis may be suspected too.

One cause of bleeding after intercourse that does deserve mention is menstrual bleeding. Sometimes a period begins just as intercourse ends. This is usually the easiest cause to identify, since continued menstruation makes it fairly clear that intercourse really didn’t result in bleeding.

The presence of uterine fibroids is one possible reason for bleeding after intercourse.
The presence of uterine fibroids is one possible reason for bleeding after intercourse.

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 care. Such care should not be delayed until a yearly check-up, since some of the illnesses or conditions resulting in bleeding after intercourse may damage the reproductive system or risk overall health without prompt treatment.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon347041

I have only had one sexual partner (my present one who is "clean") and I have a nexplanon contraceptive implant. I have noticed that the past three times we have had sex, roughly half a day later, I bleed slightly. It's more bloody than like from a period, which I no longer get due to the implant. Can anyone offer any advice as to what this could be due to?

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    • A gynecologist can help a woman discover the reason for bleeding after intercourse.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      A gynecologist can help a woman discover the reason for bleeding after intercourse.
    • Any kind of bleeding after intercourse should be taken seriously and not dismissed.
      By: detailblick.
      Any kind of bleeding after intercourse should be taken seriously and not dismissed.
    • Ovarian cysts can cause some women to experience abnormal bleeding.
      By: javiindy
      Ovarian cysts can cause some women to experience abnormal bleeding.
    • The presence of uterine fibroids is one possible reason for bleeding after intercourse.
      By: rob3000
      The presence of uterine fibroids is one possible reason for bleeding after intercourse.