{"id":1584,"date":"2022-11-15T09:40:27","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T09:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-healthcare-of-boca-raton\/?p=1584"},"modified":"2025-05-21T09:45:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T13:45:11","slug":"postcoital-bleeding-should-you-be-concerned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-healthcare-of-boca-raton\/postcoital-bleeding-should-you-be-concerned\/","title":{"rendered":"Causes of Postcoital Bleeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Experts say that postcoital bleeding is a condition that can point to various issues, from vaginal dryness to serious diagnoses, which need to be discussed and monitored by your chosen doctor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As it is evident, bleeding after sex is not related to the menstrual cycle because the flow of blood in this situation comes from either the cervix or from the lining of the vagina, depending on the exact cause of the bleeding.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it is scary to see bloody traces after sexual intercourse, it is very common, and it occurs in almost 10% of women who still have an active menstrual cycle. As mentioned, the reasons can vary, stretching from a particular infection to cervical cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. David Ellman<\/span><\/a> from the <\/span>Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton<\/span><\/a> clinic is an expert in this field. Treating conditions like this demands a proper diagnosis of the cause. Having an expert as your chosen doctor will help you elevate the symptoms and have successful results during the treatment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are the Causes of Postcoital Bleeding?<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Doctor<\/p>\n

The causes of bleeding after sex can be connected either to the vagina or the cervix. Below you can find a variety of potential reasons, so you can eliminate your doubts and potentially find the actual cause of your condition. Please do not make any diagnosis by yourself; call your doctor and schedule an appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to causes that derive from the cervix, i.e., the narrow tunnel-like end of the womb, which opens into the vagina, the most popular ones are cervical inflammation or cervicitis and cervical polyps. Cervicitis can be either harmless or a symptom of an STI, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. On the other hand, cervical polyps are small growths that are mostly not malign and can be removed by a doctor during a regular appointment, but they are rich in blood and can bleed very easily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical ectropion is another condition that can cause bleeding after sex. This condition implies that the cervix is turned inside out and because the cells inside the cervical canal are very fragile, the exposure of those cells leads to bleeding. A person with cervical ectropion will likely experience bleeding after sexual intercourse because the cells within the canal bleed easily when in contact with an external factor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical cancer can also be a cause of postcoital bleeding, and it is the most severe cause when it comes to this condition. At the same time, it is a highly uncommon reason for bleeding, so if you visit your chosen doctor regularly, there is a great chance you will not have to put cervical cancer on the list of causes for bleeding after sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding the amount of blood you might experience during postcoital bleeding, in the case of cervical bleeding, it is just a tiny amount, while uterine bleeding can be on a much larger scale. When the blood originates from the vagina, it is bright red and very heavy. Bleeding can sometimes be followed by pain lasting up to two weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned earlier, postcoital bleeding can also have vaginal causes. Bleeding from the vagina is generally caused by vaginal laceration, which is any trauma that occurs on the walls of the vagina. Reasons for this can be vaginal dryness caused by:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n