Bleeding during sex, also known as postcoital bleeding, can have various causes ranging from minor to more serious conditions. Common reasons include:
- Vaginal dryness or insufficient lubrication , which can cause friction and small tears in the vaginal lining during intercourse, leading to bleeding. This can be due to lack of arousal, menopause, breastfeeding, certain medications, or hormonal changes
- Trauma or injury to the vaginal canal or cervix, often from rough or vigorous sex without enough lubrication, which can cause vaginal lacerations or tears
- Infections , including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes, which cause inflammation (cervicitis or vaginitis) and increase the likelihood of bleeding
- Cervical issues , such as cervical polyps (small benign growths on the cervix), cervical ectropion (fragile cervical cells on the surface), or other cervical abnormalities, which can bleed easily during sex
- Hormonal changes related to birth control, pregnancy, or menopause, which may cause changes in bleeding patterns or thinning of vaginal tissues that bleed more easily
- Other causes include noncancerous uterine fibroids, endometriosis, vaginal atrophy, or in rare cases, cervical or vaginal cancer
Bleeding during sex is not always a cause for immediate concern, especially if it is light, infrequent, and occurs around ovulation or menstruation. However, you should seek medical advice if the bleeding is heavy, persistent, accompanied by pain, unusual discharge, burning during urination, or if you have had recent unprotected sex or sexual trauma
. In summary, bleeding during sex can result from friction and dryness, infections, cervical or vaginal abnormalities, hormonal changes, or more serious conditions. Consulting a healthcare professional is important to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
