It’s important to note that sex doesn’t always cause your period. But if it does, there are some possible reasons for it, including infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
It can also be a sign of cervical cancer, or non-cancerous growths on the cervix called cervical polyps. That’s why it’s so important to get regular Pap smears, Streicher says.
Causes
Bleeding after sex, especially when you aren’t on your period, can be very worrying. It can also be a sign of early pregnancy or an infection like the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or cervical cancer. The type and amount of bleeding varies and may range from light spotting to heavy bleeding and it can vary in color, ranging from pink to red or brown.
Having sex when you’re not on your period can cause bleeding because of the jostling of the uterus. It can also be a sign of the hormone changes in your body, particularly estrogen fluctuations between menstrual cycles. This can occur due to the use of birth control, hormone replacement therapy, perimenopause or other conditions like thyroid disease.
Vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted diseases including trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea can cause spotting or bleeding after sex. Bleeding can also be a symptom of a health concern like cervical polyps or a cancer of the cervix, although these are rare causes of post-sex bleeding. The cervix is the narrow opening of the uterus into the vagina and can be irritated during rough sex or from certain medications used by women to treat pelvic inflammatory disease. The lining of the cervix can also change, which can lead to bleeding after sex, as well as other symptoms like pain and a sticky discharge.
Treatment
A little spotting or bleeding right after or during sex is pretty normal, especially if you are near the end of your menstrual cycle. It’s usually the result of your uterus contracting during orgasm and semen softening your cervix, urogynecologist Dr. Cindy Basinski tells INSIDER.
However, if you notice heavy or frequent bleeding after sex that isn’t related to your regular menstrual cycle, it could be a sign of a more serious problem like cervical cancer, uterine or cervical polyps, low estrogen caused by age or menopause or cervical dysplasia. If this is the case, you should schedule a pelvic exam and Pap smear right away.
If your doctor finds no issues, you may still be able to get pregnant, so it’s a good idea to use a reliable birth control method. This includes condoms, spermicidal creams and gels (like ella or Plan B One Step), or implantable contraceptives such as a Copper IUD or the Mirena birth control pill.
If you aren’t on a birth control regimen, you should start as soon as possible, since vaginal bleeding and/or cervical cancer increase your risk of pregnancy. You can also help prevent cervical cancer by getting regular Pap smears and using lubricant during sexual activity. It can also help to track your menstrual cycle and only have sex when you’re about a week or two into your period.
Prevention
The best way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence, but for those who do want to have sex, it’s important to use protection. Condoms can help reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy and STIs, like chlamydia or genital warts. Women who have sex on their periods should also use lubrication to avoid vaginal dryness, which can lead to irritation and bleeding during and after sex.
Bleeding after sex is common, and it’s usually not a cause for concern unless it happens frequently or gets heavy. However, if a girl has regular postcoital bleeding and has certain risk factors, such as going through menopause, she should see her doctor right away. The doctor will examine the uterus and cervix for an infection or other serious causes of bleeding. They will probably order a Pap smear, which is an exam of the cervix to look for signs of cancer and other abnormalities.
Bleeding after sex is a common symptom of cervical and uterine cancers, but it can also be caused by infection, vaginal tears, ovulation, or other health issues, including non-cancerous growths in the cervix called cervical polyps. A physical exam, a Pap test, and possibly a biopsy are usually required to find the cause. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to relieve symptoms, if needed.
Symptoms
While spotting and bleeding after sex can be alarming, it’s usually not a sign of anything dangerous. Bleeding after sex is common, especially in young women, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Often, spotting and bleeding after sex is caused by the usual monthly cycle. “Sex can sometimes cause your period to start earlier than normal if you are very close to your expected due date, particularly if there is old blood in the uterus that hasn’t shed,” Dr. Kendra Segura, OB/GYN, tells Elite Daily. “The jostling of sex can cause the uterus to contract and force the old blood out.”
In addition, vaginal dryness, also called atrophic vaginitis, can cause spotting and bleeding after sex. This is because the hormone levels aren’t high enough to create lubrication.
Other causes of spotting and bleeding after sex include sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, which can occur from unprotected sex, or cervical polyps, which are noncancerous growths in the cervix. Symptoms of these conditions include painful or heavy bleeding during or after sex and red, swollen or tender vulva tissue. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to see your GP or gynecologist for further tests and treatment. This is especially true if the bleeding lasts more than a few days or gets worse. This could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis, which can be life-threatening.
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