Bleeding after sex, known medically as postcoital bleeding, means vaginal bleeding that occurs during or after sexual intercourse. It can arise from irritation, inflammation, infection, trauma, or conditions affecting the cervix, vagina, or uterus.
Common Causes
- Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), often caused by infections like sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea) or yeast infections.
- Cervical polyps, which are usually benign growths on the cervix.
- Vaginal dryness or insufficient lubrication causing friction and small tears.
- Cervical ectropion, where cervical cells grow outside the usual area, making them prone to bleeding.
- Uterine or cervical cancer and precancerous changes.
- Trauma from injury, childbirth, or rough sex.
- Hormonal influences, including birth control or menopause-related thinning of vaginal walls.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs) placed incorrectly.
Other Considerations
- Bleeding can come from the vagina, cervix, or uterus.
- It may be light spotting or more significant bleeding.
- Sometimes no clear cause is found.
- Persistent or heavy bleeding should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out serious conditions.
In many cases, occasional bleeding after sex is not serious, but if it occurs frequently, with pain, or heavy bleeding, medical evaluation is advisable to diagnose and treat the underlying cause properly.
