Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSexually Transmitted InfectionsBenign PolypsCervical EctropionAtrophic VaginitisEndometriosisTraumaCancerFAQ

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Benign Polyps

Cervical Ectropion

Atrophic Vaginitis

Endometriosis

Trauma

Cancer

FAQ

Bleeding during or after sex is common and not always a reason to worry. As many as 9% of females have experienced vaginal bleeding after sex that was not related to theirmenstrual period.It’s also calledpostcoital bleeding.

About 50% of those seeking care for postcoital bleeding will have no obvious cause, and about 60% of those cases will spontaneously resolve within six months.

This article will go over seven common reasons for bleeding during or after sex. While many of the causes are not serious, it’s still a good idea to let your healthcare provider know if you are bleeding outside of your typical menstrual cycle.

Verywell / Joshua Seong

Why Do Some Women Bleed During or After Sex?

Why Am I Bleeding After I Have Sex?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)likechlamydiaandgonorrheaare associated with vaginal symptoms like pelvic pain, itching, burning, vaginal discharge, and frequent, painful urination.

Each STI has its own symptoms, but the inflammation from any infection can cause vaginal bleeding.For example:

Vaginal Bleeding: What Causes Symptoms Outside Menstruation?

Benign growths on the cervix (cervical polyps) or uterus (uterine or endometrial polyps) are common causes of bleeding during or after sex.

Most polyps are not cancer (benign) but some can develop into cancer. Your provider can diagnose and test the polyps to see if they could be cancerous. Polyps sometimes go away without treatment, but surgical removal might be necessary in some cases.

There are also noncancerous growths in the genital tract, such as ahemangioma(a tumor made up of blood vessels), that can cause postcoital bleeding. However, these growths are less common causes of bleeding during or after sex.

Cervicalectropionis a noncancerous condition where the cells that normally line the inside of the cervix are also present on the outside surface of the cervix.

This can cause the already fragile blood vessels in the cervix to dilate and become inflamed. As a result, bleeding is common with intercourse, the use of tampons, and the insertion of a speculum during a pelvic exam.

Cervical ectropion can occur in adolescents, those taking birth control pills, and pregnant people with cervixes softer than normal.It is considered a normal variant during the reproductive years and occurs during increased exposure to estrogen.

Is Bleeding During Sex a Sign of Cervical Ectropion?

Postmenopausal people often bleed during or after sex because decreasing estrogen levels in their bodies cause the walls of their vaginas to thin and produce less lubricating mucus. This is referred to asatrophic vaginitis. The condition usually causes vaginal itching and burning.

Younger people can also have vaginitis, often from a bacterial or yeast infection. However, postcoital bleeding is not usually a symptom of these conditions.

Vaginal moisturizers are a first-line treatment for atrophic vaginitis. They are typically used consistently twice a week (unrelated to the timing of sexual intercourse) and are often tried before topical estrogen. They can be used in addition to vaginal lubricants (products used during sexual activity).Vaginal lubricantsfrequently ease dryness and decrease pain related to vaginitis.

Atrophic vaginitis can be treated with vaginalestrogen therapy. It is typically inserted vaginally as a cream or tablet for this condition. Estrogen therapy taken orally or used as a patch on the skin, if prescribed for other indications such as menopausal hot flashes, will also treat atrophic vaginitis but is not recommended therapy for this condition alone.

Endometriosisoccurs when cells that are similar to those that make up the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grow outside of the uterus. The endometrial tissue can attach to the surfaces of other organs and cause excruciating pain. Some people withendometriosis also experience infertility.

It can be difficult todiagnose endometriosis. A provider will talk with you about your symptoms and might want to do a surgery called adiagnostic laparoscopyto look for lesions. They can also take a sample of tissue to look at under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for endometriosiscan include medications and surgery. Hormone therapy to reduce estrogen levels reduces pain for some people with endometriosis and others find relief when they have surgery to remove the lesions.People can also employself-care strategiesto relieve symptoms.

If you have endometriosis and experience pain orbleeding during sex, changing positions may help. For example, the missionary position can place added stress on the vagina and cause pain. A side-to-side position might be more comfortable.

Postcoital bleeding is often associated with infections and abnormalities of the uterus, vagina, or cervix. However, bleeding can also happen when these vulnerable tissues are injured.

For example, vigorous sex can lead to cuts, scrapes, or tears in the vagina. This is more likely to happen when the vagina is dry (for example, during menopause, breastfeeding, or from douching).

How Long Do Vaginal Tears Take to Heal?

While cancer is a less likely cause of postcoital bleeding, this symptom is one of the possible signs ofcervical,vaginal, anduterinecancer.

Cervical Cancer StatsNearly 14,000 people are diagnosed with invasivecervical cancerin the United States every year, leading to more than 4,000 deaths.

Cervical Cancer Stats

Nearly 14,000 people are diagnosed with invasivecervical cancerin the United States every year, leading to more than 4,000 deaths.

Other symptoms that are common with cancer of the reproductive system include:

A healthcare provider can perform a pelvic exam,Pap smear, and a visual exam called acolposcopyto diagnose cancer. They might also take a tissue sample to look at under a microscope.

Thetreatment for reproductive cancersdepends on the type and stage but can include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy.

HPV Vaccine to Prevent Cervical CancerHPV infection is a significant risk for cervical cancer.HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone through age 26 and can be considered for adults aged 27 to 45 who weren’t previously vaccinated, based on a discussion with their healthcare provider.

HPV Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer

HPV infection is a significant risk for cervical cancer.HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone through age 26 and can be considered for adults aged 27 to 45 who weren’t previously vaccinated, based on a discussion with their healthcare provider.

Summary

Noticing blood during or after sex can be alarming, especially if you are not menstruating. Some causes include a sexually transmitted infection, benign polyps, cervical ectropion, atrophic vaginitis, endometriosis, trauma, and cancer.

If you are experiencing bleeding when during or after sex, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider. They can diagnose the cause and recommend the right treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Light spotting can be a sign of pregnancy but there are also other causes. The only way to find out for sure is to talk to your provider.

A yeast infection can cause bleeding but usually only if it has progressed to vaginitis. A yeast infection more often causes itching, redness, pain while urinating or during sex, and an odorless, white discharge.Learn MoreWhat Is a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection can cause bleeding but usually only if it has progressed to vaginitis. A yeast infection more often causes itching, redness, pain while urinating or during sex, and an odorless, white discharge.

Learn MoreWhat Is a Yeast Infection?

How long postcoital bleeding lasts depends on the cause—specifically, whether the bleeding is vaginal or cervical.For example, direct trauma to the vaginal walls can cause heavy and bright-red bleeding that lasts for a short time. Cervicitis can cause bleeding after sex that varies in how long it lasts.

How long postcoital bleeding lasts depends on the cause—specifically, whether the bleeding is vaginal or cervical.

For example, direct trauma to the vaginal walls can cause heavy and bright-red bleeding that lasts for a short time. Cervicitis can cause bleeding after sex that varies in how long it lasts.

There are manypossible reasons why sex may hurt. For example, STIs like chlamydia and herpes can cause painful sex for anyone.

Can I Have Sex During My Period?

15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Owens GL, Wood NJ, Martin-Hirsch P.Investigation and management of postcoital bleeding.Obstetr Gynaecolog.2022;24(1):24–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12780Cedars-Sinai.Cervicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.Mount Sinai.Cervical polyps.Baylor Medicine.Cervical Polyps.Cambridge University Hospitals.Cervical Ectropion.Lee A, Kim TH, Lee HH, et al.Therapeutic approaches to atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Menopausal Med. 2018;24(1):1-10. doi:10.6118/jmm.2018.24.1.1Becker CM, Bokor A, Heikinheimo O, et al.ESHRE guideline: endometriosis.Hum Reprod Open. 2022;2022(2):hoac009. Published 2022 Feb 26. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac009Russo M, Rosa-rizzotto M, Giolito M, Ranzato C, Facchin P, Aprile A.Genital trauma and vaginal bleeding: is it a lapse of time issue? A case report of a prepubertal girl and review of the literature.Int J Legal Med. 2017;131(1):185-189. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1440-2Planned Parenthood.Cervical health 101: Exploring your cervix for health and pleasure.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cervical Cancer Treatment.American Cancer Society.Can cervical cancer be prevented?University of Rochester Medical Center.Vaginitis.Orlando Health.7 reasons men have pain after sex.

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Owens GL, Wood NJ, Martin-Hirsch P.Investigation and management of postcoital bleeding.Obstetr Gynaecolog.2022;24(1):24–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12780Cedars-Sinai.Cervicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.Mount Sinai.Cervical polyps.Baylor Medicine.Cervical Polyps.Cambridge University Hospitals.Cervical Ectropion.Lee A, Kim TH, Lee HH, et al.Therapeutic approaches to atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Menopausal Med. 2018;24(1):1-10. doi:10.6118/jmm.2018.24.1.1Becker CM, Bokor A, Heikinheimo O, et al.ESHRE guideline: endometriosis.Hum Reprod Open. 2022;2022(2):hoac009. Published 2022 Feb 26. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac009Russo M, Rosa-rizzotto M, Giolito M, Ranzato C, Facchin P, Aprile A.Genital trauma and vaginal bleeding: is it a lapse of time issue? A case report of a prepubertal girl and review of the literature.Int J Legal Med. 2017;131(1):185-189. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1440-2Planned Parenthood.Cervical health 101: Exploring your cervix for health and pleasure.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cervical Cancer Treatment.American Cancer Society.Can cervical cancer be prevented?University of Rochester Medical Center.Vaginitis.Orlando Health.7 reasons men have pain after sex.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Owens GL, Wood NJ, Martin-Hirsch P.Investigation and management of postcoital bleeding.Obstetr Gynaecolog.2022;24(1):24–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12780Cedars-Sinai.Cervicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.Mount Sinai.Cervical polyps.Baylor Medicine.Cervical Polyps.Cambridge University Hospitals.Cervical Ectropion.Lee A, Kim TH, Lee HH, et al.Therapeutic approaches to atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Menopausal Med. 2018;24(1):1-10. doi:10.6118/jmm.2018.24.1.1Becker CM, Bokor A, Heikinheimo O, et al.ESHRE guideline: endometriosis.Hum Reprod Open. 2022;2022(2):hoac009. Published 2022 Feb 26. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac009Russo M, Rosa-rizzotto M, Giolito M, Ranzato C, Facchin P, Aprile A.Genital trauma and vaginal bleeding: is it a lapse of time issue? A case report of a prepubertal girl and review of the literature.Int J Legal Med. 2017;131(1):185-189. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1440-2Planned Parenthood.Cervical health 101: Exploring your cervix for health and pleasure.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cervical Cancer Treatment.American Cancer Society.Can cervical cancer be prevented?University of Rochester Medical Center.Vaginitis.Orlando Health.7 reasons men have pain after sex.

Owens GL, Wood NJ, Martin-Hirsch P.Investigation and management of postcoital bleeding.Obstetr Gynaecolog.2022;24(1):24–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12780

Cedars-Sinai.Cervicitis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.

Mount Sinai.Cervical polyps.

Baylor Medicine.Cervical Polyps.

Cambridge University Hospitals.Cervical Ectropion.

Lee A, Kim TH, Lee HH, et al.Therapeutic approaches to atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Menopausal Med. 2018;24(1):1-10. doi:10.6118/jmm.2018.24.1.1

Becker CM, Bokor A, Heikinheimo O, et al.ESHRE guideline: endometriosis.Hum Reprod Open. 2022;2022(2):hoac009. Published 2022 Feb 26. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac009

Russo M, Rosa-rizzotto M, Giolito M, Ranzato C, Facchin P, Aprile A.Genital trauma and vaginal bleeding: is it a lapse of time issue? A case report of a prepubertal girl and review of the literature.Int J Legal Med. 2017;131(1):185-189. doi:10.1007/s00414-016-1440-2

Planned Parenthood.Cervical health 101: Exploring your cervix for health and pleasure.

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.

National Cancer Institute.Cervical Cancer Treatment.

American Cancer Society.Can cervical cancer be prevented?

University of Rochester Medical Center.Vaginitis.

Orlando Health.7 reasons men have pain after sex.

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