| name: | Bleeding After Intercourse |
| also known as: | Bleeding After Sex; Bleeding After Fornication; Bleeding During Intercourse; Bleeding During Sex; Bleeding After Sex; Bleeding From Intercourse; Bleeding From Sex; Bleeding Sex; Bleeding Intercourse |
| also see: | Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding; Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding |
| description: | Rough or exuberant sex can sometimes result in blood spotting. However, bleeding after intercourse when the woman is not on her period is a sign of some type of condition, the most common of which would be infection, such as a sexually transmitted disease, vaginal bacterial infection, vaginal trichomonal infection, or vaginal yeast infection. Other infections can include infection of the cervix, called cervicitis. Non-infection conditions that can lead to bleeding after intercourse include cervical polyps, cervical erosion and cervical cancer. Conditions of the uterus can also lead to bleeding after intercourse, such as uterine fibroids or uterine cancer. Other causes can include birth control pills, and blood thinning medication also called anticoagulation drugs and antiplatelet drugs including aspirin. |
| signs & symptoms: | Includes spotting and bleeding after intercourse when a woman is not having her menstrual period. |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs, symptoms, history and exam. Often, if possible, it might be a good idea not to wash away the blood and see the doctor, as the bloody discharge might more quickly diagnose the condition. |
| treatment: | Varies depending upon the cause. For bleeding after intercourse from BCP, it might only require changing the dose of the medication. |
| prevention: | Varies depending upon the cause. |
| outcome: | Varies depending upon the cause. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the woman has bleeding after intercourse, and is not on her menstrual period |
| go to: | Go to the doctor. |
Last updated 9/28/2008