5 Causes of After-Intercourse Bleeding
A sexually transmitted disease (STD): Chlamydia or gonorrhea, two common STD's, can cause vaginal bleeding after intercourse. The bleeding may also be accompanied by vaginal discharge, irritation around the vaginal canal or a burning sensation when urinating. How to stop it: Prescription medication, such as antibiotics, can help eliminate it. Preventative measures go a long way for preventing future transmission, such as practicing safe sex.
Vaginitis: Intercourse can cause bacteria to seep into the vagina, causing vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina. Vaginitis may cause light bleeding, worsening after intercourse. Depending on the cause of the inflammation, your doctor may prescribe antifungal creams, drugs or vaginal suppositories to eliminate it.
Cervicitis: After intercourse bleeding caused by cervicitis, or inflammation of the cervix, is often accompanied by smelly, yellow or gray discharge and painful urination. It is commonly caused by an allergic reaction to latex or spermicide. The cure: If it's not caused by a bacteria or virus, you may have to suffer through the pain. If it's caused by an allergy, ask your partner to switch to lambskin or polyurethane condoms instead.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, may cause irregular vaginal bleeding, especially after intercourse. It can also cause pain during intercourse, back pain, heavy vaginal discharge or pelvic pain. It's important to treat PID early - over time, it can damage your reproductive organs, causing infertility. The treatment: Antibiotics and abstinence until the symptoms clear up.
Endometriosis: This painful reproductive problem causes pain during intercourse, accompanied by light to moderate bleeding. It's important to treat it early - delaying treatment may cause infertility. Other symptoms of endometriosis include severe, heavy periods, painful bowel movements, pelvic pain and lower back pain.
So what else causes after intercourse bleeding? According to the Mayo Clinic, other rare, but possible, causes include cervical dysplasia, uterine or cervical polyps, tumors on the reproductive organs and using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Trauma to the vagina or cervix during intercourse also causes temporary bleeding - less aggressive intercourse being the best preventative measure here.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic Staff, "Bleeding after vaginal sex" (MayoClinic.com)
Published by Ann Olson - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
When I'm not lifting 200 lbs. off the ground with my bare hands, I moonlight as a freelance reporter and diet consultant. What I do: I write regular diet and exercise-oriented columns for Yahoo! Sports, Yah... View profile
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