The first question that comes to mind is what causes a woman to bleed after sex?
…Well, there are many reasons why a woman may bleed after sex. This bleeding medically is called postcoital bleeding.
Bleeding after sex can be a fairly common situation for any woman that is of childbearing age. Doctors tend to be more concerned when a woman is bleeding after sex when pregnant or when a woman is postmenopausal and experiencing bleeding after sex. However, heavy bleeding after sex is not normal.
Bleeding after sex can be a sign of a health condition such as:
an infection, e.g pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia
vaginal dryness which is caused by reduced vaginal secretions. The hormones in your body change. The level of estrogen decreases and may lead to a decrease in vaginal fluid. During sex, this decrease causes vaginal dryness and friction can irritate the tissues that line the vagina and cause pain. This can be alleviated with the use of some water-soluble lubricant.
damage to the vagina, such as tears caused by childbirth, or by dryness or friction during sex
Normal uterine bleeding. This may happen just before or just after your period. Shortly before or after your period, it is not unusual to experience light bleeding after sex. This may appear as just spotting.
cervical or endometrial polyps (benign or non-cancerous growths in the womb or the lining of the cervix).
A cervical polyp: Polyps are a growth that is usually small in size (1-2 cm) and appears on the cervix where it meets the vagina. Most are non-cancerous and can be removed by your OB/GYN during an appointment.
cervical erosion, where there is an inflamed area on the surface of the cervix
In rare instances, bleeding after sex can be a sign of cervical or vaginal cancer.
There are some tests and examinations that can be carried out in term of this issue,
Depending on your symptoms and your medical history, you may be recommended some tests or examinations, such as:
*a pregnancy test (depending on your age)
*a pelvic examination (where your health provider inserts two fingers into your vagina to feel for anything unusual)
*looking at the cervix with an instrument called a speculum
If the problem is caused by vaginal dryness, it may be recommended that you try using lubricating gels (water based are the best)
You may also be referred to a specialist, such as a gynaecologist or genitourinary specialist.
While many of these causes don’t need treatment and are harmless, sometimes vaginal bleeding after sex can be a sign of a more serious problem.
Cervical screening tests
It’s important that all women aged 25 to 64 get regular cervical screening tests to help prevent cervical cancer.
I remain yours,
©Kaffy Adebayo
Ketogenic, Fertility & Lifestyle Coach
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