bleeding after sex

Topics Covered in this blog

  1. Causes of Bleeding After Sex
  2. Bleeding After Sex from Fibroids
  3. Causes of Fibroids
  4. Is Bleeding After Sex a Sign of Pregnancy?
  5. Experiencing Pain During Sex
  6. Uterine Fibroid Embolization
  7. Visit USA Fibroid Centers for Fibroid Treatment

Bleeding after sex can be a fairly common situation for a woman after first time or even a couple of days afterwards. Most of the time it’s nothing major and will go away on its own. Usually, vaginal bleeding after sex is not heavy enough to bring you to an emergency room in the middle of night. However, if there is a heavy, bright red sheet-soaking puddle, or if you bleed when pregnant or when you are postmenopausal; it’s a cause of concern that requires medical attention.

Causes of Bleeding After Sex

Light bleeding or spotting after sex can occur if your vagina is not well-lubricated. This happens when you are not aroused enough to self-lubricate for sex. Many other reasons exist that could cause bleeding during or after sex. If you are unsure of the reason, you may want to contact your doctor for a diagnosis.

Cervicitis

Cervicitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the cervix. It can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases or non-infectious causes. You may not have any symptoms, or you may notice pain during sex, bleeding between periods, and abnormal vaginal discharge.

Cervical Polyps

You may also have polyps, or teardrop-like tissues, that form in the reproductive tract. These can hang down from the cervix into the vagina where they might be irritated during sex. This is because polyps have many blood vessels feeding them, causing them to bleed easily during intercourse.

Fibroids

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that may cause bleeding during or after sex. These growths are found in the uterus and continue to get larger with a blood supply, which can lead to bleeding between periods.

Menstruation

If you are about to begin your menstrual cycle, you may start bleeding during sex. This isn’t a cause for concern and is normal if you are having intercourse around your period time.

Cancer

Certain types of cancer can cause bleeding, which may be more noticeable during sex. This includes cervical and vaginal cancer as well as endometrial or uterine cancer.

Bleeding After Sex from Fibroids

Uterine fibroids can also cause bleeding after sex. Fibroids are non-cancerous overgrowths of the muscular tissue in the uterus that can develop during a woman’s reproductive years. They can range in size, from as small as a pea to as large as the size of a grapefruit. 

Fibroids, like polyps, require a large supply of blood, which can lead to bleeding after sex. They may also degenerate when overgrown, causing you heavy bleeding, pain, and discomfort.

OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES OF BLEEDING AFTER SEX

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Inadequate lubrication or foreplay
  • Injury to the uterine lining (endometrium)
  • Cervical inflammation due to sexually transmitted disease

Additionally, you can also experience bleeding during sex when you start or change contraceptives, there is an early pregnancy, or as a result of endometrial tissue growth outside of the uterus (endometriosis).

If you need to change your pad or tampon every hour or if you pass unusually large clots, you should see a doctor. Bleeding after or during sex is not good for your health, especially if you bleed every time you have sex. 

If bleeding after sex worries you, it’s a good idea to get evaluated to determine if it’s uterine fibroids that may be causing your bleeding, pain, pressure and urinary urgency. Our uterine fibroid specialists can help determine the cause of your bleeding after sex, and recommend treatment if needed.

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Causes of Fibroids

The exact cause of fibroids isn’t known, but certain factors play a role in developing these growths. Family history, age, and race are all risk factors while lifestyle behaviors may also have an effect. For instance, some studies indicate that obesity, high blood pressure, and deficiency of Vitamin D may increase your risk of fibroids.

Other experts suggest that eating red meat, not drinking enough water, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, and not getting enough fruits and vegetables may contribute to uterine fibroids. Fibroids affect women between puberty and menopause because estrogen levels increase, which can lead to the development of these growths.

Is Bleeding After Sex a Sign of Pregnancy?

You may experience spotting or light bleeding after sex if you are pregnant. You may notice this issue during any of the trimesters. It’s not likely a cause for concern, but it should be monitored if accompanied by other symptoms.

Light bleeding after sex when you’re pregnant can happen for many reasons, such as changes in the cervix, which becomes more sensitive. You may experience bleeding during implantation, which can occur when the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterus lining. This is often one of the first signs of pregnancy, but it doesn’t always occur. You will want to talk to your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding after sex or any other time.

Experiencing Pain During Sex

You may experience pain during sex if you have fibroids. These growths can cause intense pressure or pain in the pelvic area, which can worsen during sex. If pressure is placed on fibroids near the cervix, it can cause irritation, leading to painful sex. 

As fibroids grow, they may press on other organs, which can add to the discomfort. You may need to experiment with various positions to find the most comfortable way to enjoy sex while dealing with fibroids. You don’t need to continue to suffer from fibroids or allow them to impact your life. Non-surgical treatment can reduce symptoms or alleviate them completely by shrinking fibroids.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

At USA Fibroid Centers, our expert interventional radiologists diagnose uterine fibroids with the help of the latest medical technologies, such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans. If fibroids are detected during the exam, our uterine fibroid specialist may advise you about the non-surgical treatment for fibroids, known as Uterine Fibroid Embolization. 

With this procedure, the fibroid specialist will insert a tiny catheter into your thigh or wrist and inject embolic materials into the artery, which supplies blood to the fibroid. Once blood flow is stopped, the fibroid may shrink and die.

Visit USA Fibroid Centers for Fibroid Treatment

This method of fibroid treatment is minimally invasive and is performed under local anesthesia.  Your uterus will not be removed, so you can conceive in the future if you choose. You will be awake during the procedure, which is normally completed within 30-45 minutes. There is no expensive, lengthy hospital stay, and you will be discharged immediately after your procedure. You may be given an OTC pain medication, and you should be able to return to work and your regular routine within a week.

To book your consultation with our fibroid specialist to know whether you are the right candidate to receive treatment for uterine fibroids with the UFE method, please call us at 855.615.2555 or search below to find the closest center near you.

 

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