FAQ

Yes and No.
Bleeding during or after sex (referred to as “postcoital bleeding”) affects about 10% of menstruating women and as many as 63% postmenopausal women.  It can be a normal result of friction or a change of hormone levels (eg. with a change of contraception).

However, it could also indicate a medical (sometimes life-threatening) condition, and any bleeding should be checked by your Gynaecologist.

Reasons for bleeding:

– Damage to the vagina
– A change in contraception
– An infection such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
– Sensitive skin or polyps
– Genital sores or herpes
– Early pregnancy
– Normal uterine bleeding at start/end of a period
– Pelvic organ prolapse
– Menopause
– Vaginal Dryness
– Cervical ectropion (Cervix lining starts growing on the vaginal side)
– Cervicitis (inflamed surface of the cervix)
– A precancerous cervical spot
– Cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus

How do I know if it is serious?

Some minor, occasional bleeding after sex should be no reason for alarm. If bleeding occurs just before or after a period, and it doesn’t happen again – or if you have recently had a pap smear and pelvic examination that returned good results – you can probably hold off on seeing a doctor.

However, the only way to know for sure if there is a cause for concern is to have a physical examination.

If none of the above holds, then I would strongly advise you to make an appointment.
The gravity of possible causes is evidence of the importance of having a professional opinion.
Infections and serious medical conditions are best diagnosed and treated early.