There can be a variety of different reasons for vaginal bleeding after sex, and while most doesn’t require medical help, if post-coital bleeding persists, you may need to visit your GP.
Reasons for bleeding after sexual intercourse
The most common cause for bleeding after intercourse is vaginal dryness when no proper lubrication was applied and so the friction during sex damages the vaginal tissue causing tiny tears. Such tears may also occur during childbirth. Vaginal dryness may be caused by stress, anxiety, medication, menopause, hormonal changes and/or imbalance, genetic predisposition, a lack of sexual desire or a lack of arousal. Most experts recommend using water-based lubricant for any penetrative sexual act as it can make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for all parties. Using lube can prevent pain during sex as well as vaginal bleeding post-coitus.
Infections and inflammations can also cause bleeding after sex. Sometimes the inflammation is due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like chlamydia. If you suspect that you have an STI, it’s really important that you visit your GP or a sexual health clinic as you will need treatment. Sexual health professionals can provide you with judgement-free advice and help. STIs are largely treatable without any long term affects but they need to be cleared up as soon as possible to avoid any possible complications. If it is confirmed that you have an STI, you should contact all your sexual partners and notify them so they can get tested and treated too. The best way to avoid STIs is using protection like condoms at all times with new partners and to get tested routinely.
Other common reasons for vaginal bleeding during or after sex is cervical or endometrial issues that a gynecologist will be able to identify and prescribe treatment for. In rare occasions, post-coital bleeding can be a symptom of cervical or vaginal cancer – this is not a common outcome though, but early detection is crucial so if you are worried about your genital health, you should visit a health care professional and ask for advice.
Sometimes bleeding after sex is due to irregular periods – bleeding that happens between your normal periods. This is often caused by contraceptive measures whether you use a pill, a patch and implant or an IUS. There are other factors that may influence the frequency and heaviness of your period, like stress, hormonal changes, certain types of medication and more. If your periods are consistently irregular and don’t settle into a traceable cycle, you should consider asking for advice from your GP or local sexual health clinic.
Some people with vaginas bleed when they have sex for the first time, but, contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t happen for everyone whether they have a broken hymen or not. The hymen is a small layer of skin that partially covers the entrance to the vagina. This may break prior to a person’s first penetrative sexual experience via sport activity or by the use of tampons. The breaking of the hymen is not always accompanied by pain or bleeding and should not be used to judge whether a person is a virgin or not. Sexual activity looks and feels different for different people and not every person with a vagina has the same kind of first sexual experience (for example, women who sleep with women may “lose their virginity” without breaking their hymen if their first sexual experience didn’t involve penetration).
Summary
There are multiple reasons why a person with a vagina may bleed during or after sex. Most of the time some light spotting after sex is no reason for concern, however, persistent bleeding can be a sign of a more serious issue. Sexually transmitted infections can cause post-coital vaginal bleeding, and while STIs are easily treatable, it’s paramount that you visit a doctor if you believe you contracted something from a partner. Your GP or sexual health clinic will be able to help and offer advice whatever your diagnosis.
To minimise the risk of minor vaginal injury during penetrative sex that can cause bleeding, it’s recommended to always use a lubricant that can make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for all parties involved.
You may have post-coital bleeding due to irregular periods caused by contraception, and some people with vaginas bleed after the first time they had sex too – these causes are usually nothing to worry about and shouldn’t persist.
As a general advice though, if you are worried about your vaginal and genital health, you should always seek advice from a health professional.
