Bleeding
during sex
Post-coital
bleeding is bleeding from the vagina after sex. It is not a normal phenomenon
and warrants medical attention. If you notice that you tend to bleed during or
after intercourse, consult a doctor at the earliest.
Bleeding
during sex may be noticed in the course of, or after intercourse (post-coital
bleeding). It is not a normal phenomenon and warrants medical attention. If you
notice that you tend to bleed after making love, consult a doctor at the
earliest.
The
most serious cause of post-coital bleeding is cervical cancer or early
cancerous changes in the cervix.
Some common causes of bleeding during sex
The
causes of post coital bleeding can be broadly divided into four groups:
1-Cancerous or precancerous conditions
Ø Cervical cancer
Ø Cervical dysplasia
Ø Vaginal cancer
2-Trauma or injury
Ø A cut or sore in the vagina
Ø Vigorous sex resulting in injury
Ø Vaginal dryness resulting in injury during normal sex
Ø Intrauterine devices can cause bleeding from irritation and
friction
Ø owered estrogen level as in perimenopausal or post
menopausal woman.
Ø Drying and narrowing of the vagina
Ø Hymen rupture during first intercourse — this is normal and
should not cause
Ø worry
3-Infections
Ø Chlamydia infection
Ø Gonorrhea infection
Ø Vaginitis or cervicitis
Ø Trichomonas vaginalis
Ø Vaginal yeast infection
4-Abnormal growths
Ø An abnormal growth in the vagina or cervix such as polyps
Ø Endometritis or adenomyosis
Ø Uterine polyps
Ø Fibroid tumors
Ø Diagnostic tests
Your doctor may need to do a few tests to determine the cause of
bleeding.
- Physical
examination
- Pap
smear
- Vaginal
or cervical swab
- Vaginal
speculum examination
- Pregnancy
test
- Colposcopy
- Dilatation
and curettage
- Endometrial
sampling
- Cervical
biopsy
- Blood
tests
Treatment
depends on the underlying cause. If it is due to infections treatment of
infection is required. If it is due to vaginal dryness at menopause, use of
lubricants is advised.
Information for women
It is
important for you to understand the following points about post-coital
bleeding.
- Commonest
cause or causes of bleeding
- Whether
further investigation is indicated
- Information
about investigations, if needed
- The
chances of a serious cause like cancer
- Chances
of other causes being present
- When
to come for follow-up if symptoms persist or recur
- Cervical smear is a screening test that will indicate the cancer in 80 to 90% cases but may miss it in the remaining 10 to 20% of them.
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