Bleeding after sex but not during a period, known as postcoital bleeding, can be caused by a variety of factors. Common causes include vaginal dryness, especially if lubrication is insufficient; changes or irritation of the cervix such as cervical ectropion or cervical polyps; mild trauma or tears in the vaginal tissue from sex; and infections including sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia. Other causes might be inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis), hormonal changes, or benign growths. In rare cases, it could indicate more serious issues like cervical cancer, so it is important to see a healthcare provider if the bleeding is frequent, heavy, or accompanied by other symptoms. More specifically:
- Vaginal dryness from menopause, breastfeeding, or contraceptive use can cause bleeding due to delicate tissue irritation.
- Cervical ectropion is when fragile cells from the cervical canal spread to the outer cervix surface, causing bleeding with contact.
- Polyps are small non-cancerous growths that can bleed after sex.
- Rough or vigorous sex can cause small vaginal tears leading to bleeding.
- Sexually transmitted infections can cause inflammation and bleeding.
- Cervical cancer, although rare, can present as bleeding after sex.
If bleeding after sex is a one-off or occasional, it may not require treatment, but recurrent or heavy bleeding should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out infections, trauma, or more serious conditions.
