How to Prevent Vaginal Bleeding After Sex (No More Mess!)

Vaginal bleeding after sex, or spotting during sex, is quite common for vulva owners of all ages. 

Medically identified as post-coital bleeding, according to Healthline, vulva owners who haven’t reached menopause yet experience such bleeding mainly in their cervix. But for those who are in their menopause phase, there are more sources of your post-coital bleeding aside from the cervix. We’re discussing relevant body parts such as the urethra, labia, and uterus.

It can be scary when you catch splotches of blood in the bed, but it doesn’t always mean it’s concerning. It can happen once in a small amount, and that’s it. Though if it’s consistent every time you have sex, that’s when you have to get checked.

Thus, we have listed down the symptoms and possible causes of your vaginal bleeding during sex.

Symptoms of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

These warning characteristics can occur when one is experiencing vaginal bleeding after sex. According to Buoy Health, these include:

• Painful urination
• General irritation and burning sensations
• Inflamed vaginal tissues
• Pelvic pain
• Vaginal dryness

Cervical Concerns of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

Browse through the cervix-centered that may be responsible for vaginal bleeding after sex in this section.

1 Cervical Ectropion

This condition occurs when the internal lining of your cervix grows on the external part of your cervix. Although it’s not deadly, it can cause a lot of inflammation, discharge release, and well, bleeding. This happens due to high estrogen levels.

2 Cervical Polyps

These polyps are benign growths found in your cervical opening, leading to inflammation and hormonal imbalances. They can be hit or reached through sexual intercourse, resulting in vaginal bleeding.

Verywell Health adds that they form “inside people in their 40s-50s and who have had multiple pregnancies. They’re usually typically red or violet with a tube-like structure that has a lot of capillaries and can bleed easily when touched”.

3 Cervicitis

This condition is caused by infection, causing inflammation and vaginal bleeding. Cleveland Clinic cited that some examples of infections that can spark cervicitis include bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia and trichomoniasis), and even chemical irritation from douching, spermicides, and the latex material of condoms.

4 Cervical Cancer

In the Philippines, around 7,900 Filipino women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. If you’re experiencing menopause, you’re more at risk when going through vaginal bleeding after sex. Especially when it’s usually the first sign that manifests. But as long as you immediately see a medical professional, you can immediately seek treatment for proper checking and urgent treatment.

Vaginal Concerns of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

Read through the vagina-rooted reasons that may be responsible for vaginal bleeding after sex in this section.

1 Vaginal Dryness

As the same suggests, when there’s a lack of moisture in the vagina, we’re more vulnerable to tearing and further irritation when we’re doing the deed. Thus, you can expect a flush of vaginal bleeding after sex. Vaginal dryness can occur to anyone, but it’s common to older vulva owners after menopause. It’s also caused by chemical irritants, medications that meddle with one’s estrogen levels or cause dehydration, childbirth, breastfeeding, and ovary damage or removal.

2 Vaginal Trauma

Naturally, the main function of the vagina is to increase moisture and lubrication upon arousal, making sexual intercourse smooth and pleasurable. However, when the sex is too rough, you’re susceptible to tearing and cuts within your sensitive walls due to friction. Like even if you enjoyed it, your body may view it otherwise. This situation can also occur when you have sex for the first time or do it again after a long period of time.

3 Vaginitis

Similar to cervicitis, vaginitis is a term used to describe various infections that harm the vagina. If you add vulvovaginitis, that means the entire vulva area is inflamed. These infections can be caused by chemicals, viruses, yeast, or bacteria. Examples of such infections, according to Cleveland Clinic, consist of bacterial vaginosis, candida/yeast infections, non-infection vaginitis, STIs, and viral vaginitis (e.g., herpes and HPV).

4 Vaginal Atrophy

Commonly associated with vaginal dryness, this condition is when your vaginal lining gets drier and thinner usually due to lack of estrogen. It mostly occurs in vulva owners post-menopause. This would then lead to a lack of lubrication, making sex uncomfortable and painful. And as a result, one can experience major vaginal bleeding during sex.

Uterine Concerns of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

Skim through the uterine-centered reasons that may be responsible for vaginal bleeding after sex in this section.

1 Endometrial Polyps

Cleveland Clinic defines this phenomenon as noncancerous growths that occur in the inner lining (endometrium) of your uterus. The bigger they are, the more pain they cause in your lower back. They can come about during one’s 40s and 50s when you’re approaching menopause (perimenopause), or after. The first sign to know its existence is abnormal bleeding that can happen after sex or not.

2 Uterine Prolapse

This unfortunate condition occurs when your uterus ejects itself from its rightful position due to weak pelvic floor muscles. It can expose your cervix and other body parts and fall down to your vagina. Bulging in your lower region can also occur. When it goes severe, vaginal bleeding can occur as a primary symptom.

3 Endometrial Cancer

This type of uterine cancer occurs in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably in the body part without any prediction of when it’ll stop. It’s usually detected in the early stage through recurring vaginal bleeding, which may occur after sex or not at all.

Other Crucial Concerns of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

There are other health concerns that can cause vaginal bleeding after sex, so keep reading this section to learn more.

1 Sexual Abuse

This type of abuse involves nonconsensual, forced sexual activity between the perpetrator and its victim that causes a lot of physical and emotional harm. With the former, it can lead to injury due to unwanted invasion that harms the victim’s vaginal tissues. And it could be done repeatedly, reopening such wounds.

Aside from this, pelvic floor muscle tension is a possible outcome. These two situations can lead to discomfort, pain, and potential vaginal bleeding, alongside the emotional stress on the victim.

2 Sexually Transmitted Infections

These irritating infections can lead to inflammation of the vaginal tissues and cervix (cervicitis), which would then lead to vaginal bleeding after sex or not. Some examples of these infections include chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea. 

3 Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones help regulate the health of one’s reproductive health. So when imbalances occur, it can change the flow of your body and even your menstrual cycle. Thus, it leads to unexpected vaginal bleeding after sex. Whether it’s from birth control methods, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an increase in estrogen, or menopause, having balanced hormones is key to avoiding any unfortunate health concerns.

Risk Factors to Look Out For

Here are some risk factors that can lead to vaginal bleeding after sex, some coming from Medical News Today.

• Age
• Sexual activity frequency
• Rough intercourse
• Conditions that affect your immune health
• Experiencing any of the stages of menopause (perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal)
• History of gynecological conditions
• Condom-less intercourse
• Douching
• Dehydration
• Certain birth control methods

Diagnosis of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

There’s no official medical test or exam to take when you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding after sex. Most likely, you’ll discuss your and your family’s medical history with a medical professional, then perform a physical exam.

There’s a possibility to take extra tests after such, depending on your condition. Those tests include:

• Pap smear
• Cultures for infections
• Transvaginal ultrasound imaging
• Biopsy
• Blood test

Treatment For Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

Skim through the possible treatment options for this unfortunate health circumstance.

1 Medications

Here’s a list of potential medications from Healthline to alleviate vaginal bleeding after sex.

• Vaginal moisturizers: This medication increases the moisture of the vagina when absorbed and also regains the natural acidity of the vagina.
• Antibiotics for bacteria-caused infections (syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia)
• Medications for viral infections
• Low-dose estrogen therapy (ring, suppositories, creams)

2 Therapy

Vaginal bleeding after sex can take a toll on you mentally and emotionally. If it’s from the trauma of sexual abuse, you can seek help from a counselor, therapist, or support helpline specializing in trauma or sexual assault for proper guidance to aid you through your healing journey.

3 Support Group

Having a group of people to whom you can voice out your concerns about vaginal bleeding after sex, alongside medical help, can ease the heaviness in your chest. If the cause of your vaginal bleeding after sex is due to sexual abuse, gain support from support groups that center on such a topic as they provide a safe and understanding environment to share your emotions and experiences openly.

4 Surgery

This option is not the top choice, as vaginal bleeding after sex can be caused due to trauma, gynecological conditions, hormonal imbalances, and infections among others. Only when the earlier options we mentioned have been used and showed no effectivity to the person, that’s when surgery will be considered. 

Certain situations can put one for surgery as a treatment for vaginal bleeding after sex: vulvar/vaginal conditions (ulcers), cervical abnormalities (polyps, ectropion), and uterine problems (adenomyosis).

Further Prevention of Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

It’s in practicing proper prevention methods to keep you healthy and safe from harm, especially in the form of vaginal bleeding after sex. Here are some key examples of further prevention methods to avoid vaginal bleeding after sex from happening to you.

1 Hydrate!

Water is the key to sustaining life and regaining energy in anything you do. So whether you’re doing the deed or not, drinking adequate water strengthens the vitality of your body organs. It also lessens the dryness in your vagina, which may contribute to bleeding before, during, or after sex.

2 Visit your doctor regularly.

You shouldn’t just be visiting your doctor when something bad or scary, like vaginal bleeding after sex, happens. It should be something to commit to for your long-term health. Make it a point to schedule regular bi-weekly or monthly check-ups with your doctor about your reproductive and/or overall health. That way, they can detect and spot any early, hidden signs of gynecological conditions or problems that can lead to vaginal bleeding among many others.

3 Practice safe sex!

Lil Wayne rapped it best: “Safe sex is great sex, better wear a latex, ’Cause you don’t want that late text, that “I think I’m late” text.”

When you’re about to do the deed, use condoms or other barrier methods to lessen the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other associated complications that can lead to vaginal bleeding. Only barrier methods can protect you from such infections vs. other birth control methods. You can head over to our site here to get your own.

4 Don’t self-diagnose.

We tend to shrug off any incident that occurs to us, especially when our body is involved. And by shrugging, we may self-diagnose through social media or our own stock knowledge. But doing such a thing is dangerous and irresponsible because it’s possible that something more serious lies behind the situation. Thus, seek direct medical care and assistance to receive a proper diagnosis of what you’re experiencing.

5 Take it easy with the penetration.

We get it. Rough sex is fun. But going overboard can damage your walls and lead to vaginal bleeding after sex. So try out sex positions to provide you with more control of your pace and depth. That way, you can slow things down and speed up when you’re ready. By going back and forth, your body can properly adjust, and your vagina can take a break mid-deed. Thus, this lessens your chances of experiencing tearing or trauma.

6 Practice proper vaginal hygiene.

It’s time we avoid purchasing scented products for our intimate area. Our vagina is sensitive, so we don’t want to harm it. Especially when it goes through any bleeding during sex, it’s the last thing we want ourselves to go through. The easiest way to practice proper vaginal hygiene is to clean the area with mild water and unscented soap.

Lessen the usage of any feminine hygiene products that can disrupt the natural pH balance of the vagina, douches, and harsh soaps. These items can irritate the area and cause it to bleed.

7 Prioritize hormonal balance.

This tip solely relies on your lifestyle. With this, it’s important to follow a healthy one by engaging in active exercise, eating nutritious food, sleeping early, and properly monitoring your stress levels. By doing so, you can decrease your chances of experiencing vaginal bleeding after sex.

8 Lube up!

It’s possible to lack enough natural lubrication for your vagina during sexual intercourse, leading to tearing and eventual vaginal bleeding after sex. To minimize the friction and further trauma with your vaginal walls, incorporate lubricants in your future sexcapades. We suggest water-based ones to avoid dryness and discomfort. Feel free to check out our available lubricants up on our site here.

When to Seek Help

By this time, you’re aware of the reason/s behind why you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding after sex. You’ve also taken action by getting diagnosed, treated, and taking prevention means in the future. However, in some cases, it can come back. 

Here are some urgent signs to watch out for when seeking help from vaginal bleeding after sex. 

• Duration and Severity
• Manifestation of Symptoms
• Worsening of Symptoms after treatment

Takeaway

Vaginal bleeding after sex can happen for varied reasons. Some can be harmless, while some can be detrimental. That’s why it’s important to consult with the experts and live a healthy lifestyle. If you’re going through this at the moment, we wish you good luck and health as you navigate through it.