Vaginal bleeding can be caused by a variety of things, such as a growth in the The uterus., or an infections.

Many people with vaginas experience vaginal bleeding after sex at one time or another. Up to 63% of postmenopausal people may experience vaginal dryness and vaginal bleeding or spotting during sex.

Postcoital bleeding is a problem for up to 9 percent of menstruating people.

Occasional light bleeding is usually not a cause for concern. If you have certain risk factors or have gone through menopause, bleeding after intercourse may warrant a visit to the doctor.

Bleeding after sex is medically known as postcoital bleeding. It occurs in people of all ages. In younger people who haven’t reached menopause, the source of the bleeding is usually the The The uterus...

The source of the bleeding is different for those who have gone through menopause. It can be from something.

  • The The uterus..
  • The uterus.
  • labia
  • The urethra.

In terms of causes, cervical cancer is the greatest concern. This is especially true for postmenopausal people. However, postcoital bleeding is most likely caused by a common condition.

Vaginal dryness

Bleeding can be caused by vaginal dryness. Other factors can cause vaginal dryness, such as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

  • Having intercourse before being aroused.
  • It is possible that there is some kind of friction during intercourse.
  • Douching.
  • Chemicals are in feminine hygiene products.
  • breastfeeding
  • childbirth
  • Cold medication, asthma medications, some antidepressants, and anti-estrogen drugs are included.
  • having your ovaries removed
  • chemotherapy and radiation therapy
  • Sjögren’s syndrome, an inflammatory disease of the immune system that reduces moisture generated by glands in the body

Infections

Infections can cause inflammation of the vagina, which can lead to bleeding. These can include:

Cervical ectropion

Cervical ectropion is considered benign or not harmful. It occurs when the cell type that typically grows on the inside of the The The uterus.. grows on the outside instead. Cervical ectropion may result in an inflamed area.

Also known as cervical ectopy or cervical eversion, this condition is caused by high estrogen levels. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for regulating your reproductive system.

It is a natural variant and tends to occur in.

  • adolescents
  • People are pregnant.
  • People are using contraception.
  • People who have a menstrual cycle.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)

GSM was formerly known as vaginal atrophy. It is common in those in perimenopause and menopause and those who’ve had their ovaries removed.

Your body produces less estrogen as you get older.

When your estrogen levels are lower, several things happen to your vagina.

Your vagina can become dry and irritative if your body produces less vaginal lubrication.

Lower estrogen levels also reduce the elasticity of your vagina. Vaginal tissues become more fragile, get less blood flow, and are more susceptible to tearing and irritation. This can lead to discomfort, pain, and bleeding during sex.

Polyps

Polyps are noncancerous growths. They’re sometimes found on the The The uterus.. or in the endometrial lining of the The uterus..

A polyp dangles like a round pendant on a chain. Polyp movement can irritate the surrounding tissue and cause bleeding from small blood vessels.

Vaginal tearing

Sex can cause small cuts to the vagina.

If you have vaginal dryness, it is more likely to happen.

Cancer

Irregular vaginal bleeding, including bleeding after sex, is a common symptom of cervical or vaginal cancer. In fact, according to a review of literature from 2021, up to 3.8% of women with postcoital bleeding have cervical cancer.

Postmenopausal bleeding can also be a symptom of uterine cancer.

If you do, you may be at greater risk of bleeding.

  • Have you been diagnosed with cancer?
  • They are in perimenopause, menopause or postmenopausal.
  • Recently had a baby or is breastfeeding.
  • aren’t fully aroused before intercourse
  • douche frequently

“Depending on the cause, the symptoms you experience along with postcoital bleeding can vary. If you don’t have any other risk factors, and have only minor spotting or bleeding that goes away quickly, you don’t need to see a doctor.”

If you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should talk to a doctor.

If you have any of the symptoms, you should seek the advice of a doctor.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor or gynecologist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

What happens when you see a doctor?

You can see a doctor for postcoital bleeding. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, such as how long you have been bleeding. They may ask about the color of the blood.

Because your symptoms are related to sexual activity, they may also ask about your sexual history. For example, they may ask if you use condoms or barrier methods regularly.

A doctor may recommend a physical exam depending on your symptoms and history. Examining the area may help the doctor find the source of the blood. Postcoital bleeding may come from your vaginal walls, The The uterus.., The urethra., or vulva.

To help determine what’s causing the bleeding, the doctor might also order tests, such as a pap smear, pregnancy test, and vaginal cultures to look for STIs.

Some people may hesitate to visit a doctor about a sexual health question if they find pelvic exams uncomfortable. However, seeing a doctor about postcoital bleeding won’t necessarily require a pelvic exam.

If you have been worried about postcoital bleeding, seeing a healthcare professional may help.

Bleeding after sex is usually caused by vaginal dryness, but there are other more serious causes.

The doctor will first rule out serious causes such as cancer by examining your vagina and The The uterus.., taking a pap smear, and possibly conducting a biopsy. If cancer is found, you’ll be referred to a specialist.

If cancer is not the cause of your bleeding, a doctor may take additional steps to determine the source.

Bleeding after sex can be a symptom of cancer. People over 50 are the most common to have these cancers.

Other risk factors include age.

If you have experienced postcoital bleeding and have gone through menopause, you should see a doctor to rule out cancer.

As with other types of cancer, treatment is most effective when the cancer is found and treated early.

If the cause is cancer or an underlying condition, there are serious consequences from postcoital bleeding. There are some possible problems in the following.

Anemia

Heavy or prolonged bleeding can cause iron deficiency anemia in very rare instances. It happens because the red blood cells in your body become depleted through blood loss. However, this is not typical of postcoital bleeding.

There are signs of anemia.

  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • There are headaches.
  • pale skin

If your anemia is caused by blood loss due to postcoital bleeding or other reasons, a doctor may prescribe an iron supplement. But the most important source of iron is diet. If you’re concerned about your iron levels, add more of these iron-rich foods to your diet:

  • peanut butter.
  • fish
  • There are beans.
  • leafy vegetables like spinach
  • Eggs.
  • meat

Infection

If you have vaginal dryness, you may have a greater risk of developing a urinary tract infection.

The cause of vaginal bleeding will be determined by your treatment.

Lubricants

If your bleeding is due to vaginal dryness, vaginal moisturizers may help. Applied regularly, these products are absorbed by the walls of the vagina. They increase moisture and help restore the natural acidity of the vagina.

Vaginal lubricants also reduce uncomfortable It is possible that there is some kind of friction during intercourse..

Caution

  • “Latex condoms and diaphragms can be damaged by lubricant such as Vaseline. Don’t mix condoms and Vaseline. If this is a concern, use a lubricant with water or silicone.”

Estrogen therapy

If your vaginal dryness is caused by menopause or the removal of your ovaries, talk with a doctor about estrogen therapy. Topical estrogen products include vaginal estrogen creams and suppositories.

An estrogen ring is an option. This is a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. It releases a low dose of estrogen for 90 days.

Some people can benefit from oral hormone therapy. Discuss the risks and benefits of this treatment with your doctor.

Additional treatments

Vaginitis can be caused by an illness. The cause may be unknown. A doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for a specific reason.

Antibiotics may be used to treat diseases like STDs and Pelvic inflammatory disease.

If your The The uterus.. is inflamed because of cancer or precancer, a doctor may remove affected cells using silver nitrate or cryosurgery. In this process, damaged cells are frozen and killed.

What caused the bleeding in the past is what determines how to prevent it.

Water or Silicone-based lubricants will help prevent bleeding caused by vaginal dryness and friction during sex.

An oil-based lubricant can damage a condom. Water-based lubricating oils are recommended.

It may also help to take sex slowly and to stop if you feel pain. Using vaginal moisturizers regularly can help keep the area moist and make you feel comfortable.

If your symptoms are related to a medical condition, you can talk to a doctor about the best options to prevent future episodes.

Bleeding after sex is usually a symptom of something else. Infections and polyps are some of the most common that are treatable. It clears up on its own without medical care.

If you are postmenopausal, you should immediately inform your doctor of any bleeding.

Bleeding after sex can be caused by a variety of conditions.

“If the bleeding is occasional and mild, you don’t need to see a doctor.”

If the bleeding occurs often, occurs alongside other symptoms, or you have postcoital bleeding after menopause, it may be best to see a doctor. They can determine the cause and treatment.