CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta – While it may freak you out at the time, bleeding after sex (without pain) is common. Bleeding during sex is actually very normal, says Moushumi Ghose, a licensed sex therapist. Have you noticed, after penetration with a partner or sex toy, a little blood?
“Usually bleeding after sex is nothing to worry about and will get better over time,” says Dr. Sherry Ross, author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period. The blood may be coming from the vaginal canal itself, the urinary tract, or the cervix, he explains. And if you’re menstruating, a little extra blood after sex is welcome. Postcoital bleeding can also occur during ovulation.
However, while occasional bleeding after painless intercourse is common, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do something about it. “In all cases of bleeding during sex, stop temporarily,” says Lucy Rowett, a certified sex coach and clinical sexologist. “Check your body and how you feel. Bleeding is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong, so take responsibility for your health and get yourself checked. But if bleeding during sex occurs regularly or you experience pain, talk to your doctor.
Is it normal to bleed after sex? Here are seven reasons why you may experience bleeding after sex and how to prevent it.
1. Foreplay is less long
If it’s been a minute since you last had sex, the act may cause a laceration, or small tear, in your vaginal canal, Dr. Ross explains: “Even if you’re adequately lubricated, vaginal opening tears can occur.”
The best way to prevent this is to make sure you have plenty of time to get aroused or fore play before any kind of penetration—and use lots of lube. The idea is to increase the elasticity of the vagina as much as possible.
2. Deep penetration
Deep penetration, whether with your best penis, finger, or even vibrator, can sometimes cause slight trauma to the cervix, leading to spotting after or during sex, according to Dr. Ross. “Larger or thicker objects and smaller vaginal openings can also tear the vagina,” she says.
If you notice that you bleed frequently after sex, talk to your doctor. It may be helpful to try shallower sex positions, such as spooning or sitting face to face.
3. Dry vagina
“A dry vagina, often caused by foreplay or inadequate vaginal lubrication,” is one of the leading causes of vaginal tearing, painful sex, and bleeding, says Dr. Ross.
Make sure you are very aroused before sex. It helps if you have an orgasm even before penetration occurs. “If you feel especially dry, stop,” says Rowett. “Slow down and use lube.”
Bleeding during sex can be a sign of an STI. Bleeding after sex is a symptom from the herpes and chlamydia viruses to cervical HPV.
The best way to prevent it is to get tested for STIs. “The goal is to prevent or find an STD or STI before bleeding or more severe pelvic inflammatory disease where pain and scarring develop,” says Dr. Rob Huizenga, author of Sex, Lies & STDs.
Cervical polyps are small growths that occur on or around the cervix when the body grows more cells than it should, according to Dr. Gareth Nye, senior lecturer at Chester Medical School in England specializing in maternal and child health.
These noncancerous growths, she says, “are seen more frequently in women who are starting or going through menopause, but women of any age can get them.” Bleeding occurs when these polyps are disrupted. When, for example, having sex.
Dr Melanie Bone, an ob-gyn and board member of the gynecological health company Daye, says cervical polyps can be easily removed, but seeing your doctor is a must.
“It’s best to call your doctor to set up an appointment so they can take biopsies of abnormal growths and masses,” she says. “They will be able to advise whether removal of a polyp, especially one that is causing significant bleeding or appears abnormal, is warranted.”
According to Ghose, endometriosis can also cause postex bleeding. “This condition can be very difficult to identify and diagnose, and its roots are still unknown,” he said. “But it’s also known to cause discomfort — and in some cases a lot of pain, cramping, and even bleeding that can also occur after intercourse.”
6. Contraceptives
Hormonal birth methods can cause spotting after intercourse, says Dr. Babak Ashrafi, from Superdrug Online Doctor, in UK. Spotting can occur due to hormonal changes due to the use of birth control changing the lining of the cervix and uterus. This is completely normal but can be a little concerning.
Spotting between periods usually occurs in the first few months of taking a new hormonal contraceptive. These include pills, patches, vaginal rings, and hormonal IUDs. “This is a common side effect of hormonal birth control, which should get better as your body adjusts to these hormonal changes,” says Ashrafi.
7. Cervical cancer
Bleeding after sex can be—in very rare cases—a sign of cervical or vaginal cancer. But Nye says cancer usually comes with other symptoms, not just bleeding.
“You may have pain during sex itself, back or stomach pain, or irregular bleeding and discharge between periods,” she says. If you’re concerned about this, Bone says, “It’s always advisable to call your doctor for an appointment so they can examine your vagina, perform a cervical exam, and in some cases, take a biopsy.”
So is it cancer? Probably not. Is it worth checking? Definitely yes.
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