Vaginal bleeding after having sex can happen because of different reasons. Asides breaking the seal of your virginity, it could also be dryness, tearing, an infection, or a growth in the uterus like cancer or polyps.
Many people who have vaginas might experience bleeding after sex at some point. About 63% of postmenopausal individuals might experience vaginal dryness and bleeding during sex.
Around 9% of those who menstruate might also experience bleeding after sex sometimes.
Sometimes, a little bit of light bleeding isn’t a big problem. But if you have certain risk factors or are past menopause, bleeding after sex could mean you should see a doctor.
What Makes You Bleed After Sex
When people bleed after sex, it’s called postcoital bleeding. It can happen to people of all ages. In younger people who haven’t reached menopause, the bleeding often comes from the cervix.
For those who have gone through menopause, the bleeding can come from different places like the cervix, uterus, labia, or urethra.
The main concern is cervical cancer, especially for postmenopausal people. However, the most common reason for postcoital bleeding is not so serious.
Why Dryness Causes Bleeding
Dryness in the vagina can lead to bleeding. Other than menopause-related vaginal dryness, things like not being fully aroused before sex, friction during sex, douching, certain chemicals, breastfeeding, childbirth, medications, and medical conditions can cause vaginal dryness.
Infections Can Also Be a Reason
Infections can inflame the tissues in the vagina, which might lead to bleeding. Some infections that could cause this include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), and vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the vulva and vagina).
Cervical Ectropion
Cervical ectropion is when cells that usually grow on the inside of the cervix grow on the outside. It’s not usually harmful and might be due to high estrogen levels. It’s more common in certain groups like adolescents, pregnant individuals, and those who menstruate.
Menopause-related Changes
During menopause, when periods stop, the body produces less estrogen. This can lead to vaginal dryness, reduced elasticity, and more vulnerability to tearing and irritation during sex.
Polyps and Tears
Noncancerous growths called polyps can sometimes lead to bleeding, as can small cuts or scrapes in the vagina, especially if there’s dryness.
Cancer Concerns
Bleeding after sex, especially irregular bleeding, could be a sign of cervical or vaginal cancer. This is more common in older people or those who’ve gone through menopause.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you experience bleeding after sex and you’re not sure why, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. Especially if you’ve gone through menopause or have other symptoms like itching, burning, pain during sex, heavy bleeding, or unusual discharge.
Your doctor might ask about your symptoms, sexual history, and do some tests to find out the cause.
Bleeding after sex can happen due to various reasons like dryness, infections, or even cancer. If it’s a rare occurrence and not accompanied by other symptoms, it might not be a big issue. But if it happens often or worries you, it’s best to consult a doctor to find out the cause and get the right treatment.
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