Bleeding During Or After Intercourse

Postcoital bleeding occurs in some women after engaging in intercourse involving coitus (penetration). Bleeding can occur during intercourse. It can also occur after intercourse is over. Many women who bleed during or after intercourse are concerned. However, half of the cases have no pathological cause. Therefore, a teleconsultation may be enough to identify the problem and provide valuable advice to avoid experiencing this disappointment again.

However, it is essential to be careful to determine whether the bleeding is coming from the vagina and not the anus. If so, anal bleeding can be the cause of gastric pathologies.

Light bleeding during intercourse

Most of the time, postcoital bleeding is light. In this case, it is probably caused by an injury or excessive friction in the vaginal area caused by a lack of lubrication.

Bleeding can also originate from several areas near the vagina. The location generally depends on the woman’s age. In young women, bleeding is mainly located in the cervix. However, it can also originate from the urethra, labia, or uterus.

Bleeding during intercourse and brown discharge

After intercourse, there may be some brown blood loss. This is not serious, as long as it is only occasional. If it occurs frequently, you should consult your doctor. The color of the blood is a key indicator of how long ago the bleeding began.

When blood is brown, the discharge corresponds to the eviction of blood from the endometrium, the vagina or the cervix. This is blood that has oxidized in contact with oxygen, hence its brown color.

Heavy bleeding during intercourse

The primary cause of heavy bleeding during intercourse is the onset of menstruation. Sometimes, intercourse can cause a period to come more quickly. Therefore, there’s no need to worry if the bleeding isn’t accompanied by unusual pain or loss of consciousness.

On the other hand, heavy bleeding outside of your menstrual cycle may be due to a medical condition or hemorrhage. If this is the case, you should seek emergency medical attention. The most serious condition associated with heavy bleeding is cervical cancer.

Bleeding after childbirth

If intercourse after childbirth is complicated, it can also cause bleeding.

Indeed, giving birth (in other words, pushing a human being out of the vagina) can sensitize or cause damage to vaginal tissue. It is therefore common, even normal, to experience post-coital bleeding after childbirth.

What to do in case of bleeding?

If the bleeding is light and does not cause pain or discomfort, there is nothing to do. This means that the bleeding is benign and is only caused by irritation.

On the other hand, if the bleeding is significant, causes pain, and seems abnormal, you will need to go to the emergency room.

If the bleeding is frequent, you should talk to your gynecologist or midwife. Additional tests will likely be required from specialists to determine the cause of the bleeding if it is not benign.

A problem with contraception

Contraception, whether hormonal or not, is not suitable for everyone: while some people tolerate the pill, others may prefer the IUD. In some cases, bleeding is a sign that the body is unable to tolerate the current contraception.

Bleeding during sex with a condom

If there is bleeding after intercourse with a condom, this may be due to excessive friction in the vagina, or to a reaction of the mucous membranes which cannot tolerate the composition of the condom.

In case of an allergic reaction, consult an allergist.

Bleeding during intercourse (with contraceptive implant)

Bleeding is one of the side effects of the implant. This method of contraception involves placing a subdermal implant (under the skin) that releases hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent fertilization.

The implant, like the pill, is a form of contraception that works with hormones. Both types of contraception can cause so-called “hormonal” bleeding.

If this method of contraception is not suitable for you, talk to your gynecologist.

Bleeding during intercourse (with IUD)

Inserting an IUD can cause pain and bleeding during the first few months. However, after sexual intercourse, the IUD does not necessarily promote bleeding.

There is therefore no direct link between IUDs and bleeding. It will be necessary to determine what causes the latter.

A lesion at the level of the mucous membranes

Bleeding can also be a manifestation of a vaginal tear. This term refers to cuts and scrapes. There are many causes of this type of tear:

• Rough sex or excessively violent sex play. Frantic slapping can injure tissues and even reproductive organs. Use in moderation.
• Vaginal friction from intercourse or an object entering the vagina can cause bleeding.
• Douching irritates the mucous membranes, which can react and cause bleeding.
• The hymen (membrane that covers the entrance to the vagina) may bleed during the first sexual intercourse.

• Childbirth can sensitize vaginal tissues.

Bleeding during intercourse after abstinence

During the first sexual intercourse or after a period of abstinence, the vaginal mucosa may be more sensitive to intercourse. This is because it is not (or no longer) used to being penetrated. Sexual intercourse can therefore cause bleeding.

An injury after rough sex

In most cases of post-coital bleeding, the discomfort is caused by overly rough intercourse. In this case, a lesion can form in the vaginal mucous membranes.

In case of vaginal dryness or sensitive mucous membranes, even gentle sexual intercourse can cause slight lesions and vaginal bleeding.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is one of the most common causes of bleeding during and after intercourse.

This term refers to the inability of the vagina to produce sufficient secretions to lubricate it (cyprine). Without this natural lubricant, the vagina can become irritated more easily.

As penetration progresses, lesions can form within the vaginal mucous membranes. This can be quite painful and sometimes requires stopping intercourse.

A sexually transmitted infection

STIs can be a trigger for post-coital vaginal bleeding. This is because inflammation inflames the vaginal tissues, making them more sensitive, delicate, and prone to damage during intercourse.

Does bleeding during intercourse increase the risk of STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (formerly known as sexually transmitted diseases – STDs) are transmitted through unprotected sex. As long as a condom is used during intercourse, there is no increased risk, even if there is bleeding.

Vaginitis or yeast infection

Vaginitis, or vaginal yeast infection, is a fairly common condition. It is caused by a yeast infection, Candida albicans. This organism is naturally present in the vagina, but it can multiply and cause bleeding.

If you have vaginitis, you won’t just experience post-coital bleeding. You’ll experience swelling around the vagina, irritation of the vulva, burning when urinating, thick vaginal discharge, and red mucous membranes.

While vaginitis isn’t dangerous, it can be very bothersome in everyday life. You may want to ask your gynecologist for treatment to relieve pain and discomfort.

The morning-after pill

Bleeding is a symptom of taking the morning-after pill. However, this bleeding does not necessarily occur after sexual intercourse.

Contrary to popular belief, the bleeding caused by taking the morning-after pill does not correspond to the expulsion of the egg. The morning-after pill does not cause an abortion.