Bleeding during or after intercourse, also known as postcoital bleeding, can be caused by various factors. Some common causes include:
- Cervical inflammation or cervicitis, which can be ongoing and harmless or due to a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
- Cervical polyps, which are non-cancerous growths on the cervix that can cause bleeding after sex.
- Vaginal dryness, which can lead to irritation and bleeding due to friction during sex.
- Infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia.
- Noncancerous polyps or fibroids involving the lining of the uterus.
- Damage to the vagina, such as tears caused by childbirth or dryness/friction during sex.
- Cervical or vaginal cancer, although this is rare.
If bleeding during or after sex occurs regularly, it is important to seek medical advice to identify and address any underlying health concerns.
