Even though it may not be all that common, it’s possible to bruise your cervix. What’s more, a bruised cervix is a type of injury that can repeatedly happen if the signs and causes of the cervix trauma remain ignored. This is why it’s so important to be aware of the common bruised cervix symptoms, how you can bruise your cervix, as well as the available treatment options in order to minimize the risk of it happening again.
Bruised Cervix Symptoms
While bruised cervix usually manifests as rather painful, it typically doesn’t cause extremely serious or long-term consequences. However, that doesn’t mean it should be left untreated. The chances are that the injured person won’t even be able to deal with the pain in order to ignore it in the first place, but then again, the severity of the pain also depends on just how bad the cervix trauma is.
Some women have described the pain as considerably worse than their menstrual pain and cramping, feeling like being poked with a red-hot poker from the inside. Of course, feeling this much pain won’t be the case for everyone with an injured cervix, but an aching sensation is bound to occur, especially during and after penetration.
Some other bruised cervix symptoms include:
- back pain
- nausea
- spotting
- bleeding
Can You Bruise Your Cervix During Intercourse?
It all depends on the individual’s anatomy. Most certainly, sexual penetration is the most common cause of bruised cervix. The cervix is positioned between the vaginal canal and uterus, 3-7 inches away from the vaginal opening, and it could even reach through the vagina.
Therefore, deep penetration, either with a penis or an object such as a dildo or even a fist during sexual intercourse, can end up reaching the cervix and ultimately causing cervix trauma. Doggy style makes penetration easier, which is why this particular sexual position poses the biggest risk for cervical injury.
A woman should feel pain immediately when the injury occurs, making the penetration uncomfortable until the injury is completely healed. Generally, mild bruising should heal in just a couple of days. However, constant bruising and more severe symptoms could point to a more serious condition.
Can You Bruise Your Cervix Any Other Way?
Trauma and cervix injury could also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). For instance, when untreated, STDs such as gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause infection, pain, and irritation, which can consequently lead to cervix inflammation and trauma. Keep in mind that STDs may not show symptoms on their own, which is why it’s necessary to do proper testing in a professional environment. You can count on great gynecology care in Florida for all concerns and issues you may have, including sensitive matters such as these.
Another possible cause of cervical injury and bruising can be pregnancy and labor. The cervix becomes more sensitive during pregnancy because of all the extra blood in the tissues around it. Not to mention that the growing baby can put pressure on the cervix itself.
That said, some women can develop the so-called incompetent cervix condition as a result of their cervix not being strong enough to remain closed until delivery. Even though this condition affects only 1 in 100 pregnant women, it can have serious consequences, leading to premature delivery or even miscarriage.
What’s more, cervix trauma could also occur during vaginal birth, with an increased risk of labor-caused cervical tears when giving birth more than once. Miscarriage and abortion can also cause cervix trauma.
If you experience any kind of pelvic pain and discomfort, especially if it’s accompanied by unusual bleeding, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You’re always welcome to ask for advice from University Park OBGYN.
What About the Treatment?
In general, a bruised cervix doesn’t need any special treatment unless your doctor specifically says so. The injury will heal in time, so all you really have to do is be patient and let it heal. In case the pain and discomfort are too difficult to deal with, it’s possible to get some over-the-counter pain meds to get relief. Still, it’s always a good practice to pay a visit to the doctor as your cervix might be susceptible to frequent bruising due to some other underlying condition that needs to be discovered and addressed.
In case you feel discomfort while sitting or wearing your regular clothes, try using a cushion when you sit and wearing clothes that are looser around the abdomen.
A bruised cervix is not a permanent injury, and just like any other bruise, it will heal and disappear after some time. However, the healing time will depend on the individual, and it would be best to skip sexual intercourse until the injury is completely healed.
Don’t ignore the possibility of bruising your cervix in the future again. You may be at risk of frequent cervical trauma, and if that seems to be the case, you can minimize the said risk in a couple of ways. For starters, consider sexual positions that allow you to control the penetration depth and rhythm, such as cowgirl and reverse cowgirl. In case you got injured because of an object such as a dildo in the first place, replace it with a smaller one. Also, don’t shy away from using lube in order to reduce friction.
As the biggest cause of cervix trauma is sexual penetration, make sure that you are properly aroused before the penetration actually happens. Focus on foreplay as much as needed so that the cervix is further away from the vaginal opening.
Obviously, in order for all of the mentioned practices to work, it’s crucial to talk about this openly with your partner. There’s absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed. Your partner should know what and why it happened so that you can find the ideal solution together and continue to enjoy your intimate time safely. After all, good communication, mutual respect, and understanding are essential for a healthy relationship and sex life.
When to See a Doctor?
Even though on most occasions, cervical bruising will heal on its own, there are some situations that warrant a visit to the doctor.
- Bruised cervix after an IUD insertion
- Pain that lasts longer than one week
- Pain that feels impossible to endure
- Excessive bleeding, enough to fill a pad/tampon every hour
- Quarter-sized (or larger) blood clots in underwear
- You’re pregnant
- You’ve experienced sexual assault
Women who have a shallower vagina or suffer from cervical ectropion, where glandular cells are on the outside instead of the inside of the cervix, are generally at a higher risk of experiencing cervical bruising and trauma. Also, during the ovulation period, the cervix softens, making it more susceptible to injury. But that doesn’t mean that any other woman can’t experience a bruised cervix for one reason or another. Make sure not to panic; either refrain from sexual intercourse until the pain subsides and the injury is healed or seek medical help if you experience more severe symptoms.
