Bleeding Vagina, is it normal?

What is bleeding after sex?

Bleeding after sex is a condition in which there is any type of light to severe bleeding from the vagina after vaginal sexual intercourse. Bleeding after sex, also known as bleeding after intercourse, can result from a variety of conditions or diseases that include:

• Abnormal growths (such as polyps or fibroids) on the cervix or in the uterus
• Abnormal cells of the cervix (possibly precancerous cells)
• Infection or inflammation of the vagina, uterus or cervix
• Malignancy (cancer)
• Trauma to the vagina or cervix

Bleeding after sex is not normal. However, many underlying causes of bleeding after sex, such as vaginal dryness and cervical dysplasia, are very treatable if promptly diagnosed and treated. Treatment of bleeding after sex varies and is tailored to the individual case, the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms, and the presence of any complications.

Sometimes bloody urine, which is due to bleeding from the urinary tract, or bloody stools, which is due to bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, can be mistaken for vaginal bleeding after sex. Any unexplained bleeding should be evaluated by your health care professional.

Some types of bleeding after sex can be caused by serious, even life-threatening, conditions, such as cervical cancer or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Seek prompt medical care if you experience bleeding after sex, even if it is light spotting. Early diagnosis and treatment of bleeding after sex reduces the risk of serious complications, such as infertility and metastatic uterine cancer.   

Symptoms that may occur along with bleeding after sex

Bleeding after sex may occur with other symptoms including:

• Difficulty getting pregnant or infertility
• Fever
• Lower back pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful bowel movements
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Pelvic or abdominal pain or cramps
• Symptoms of menopause (cessation of menstrual periods, loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness)
• Unusual vaginal discharge

Symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition

In some cases, bleeding after sex can be a sign of a serious or life-threatening condition, such as cervical cancer, a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or uterine cancer.Seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• High fever (higher than 101 degrees)
• Severe pelvic or abdominal pain
• Severe or heavy vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy