Heavy bleeding after sex

Bleeding may come from a vaginal tear or injury, inflamed tissue, an infection, a cervical polyp, or delicate tissue on the cervix. Menstrual bleeding can also begin around the same time and appear related to sex.

Cervical dysplasia and cervical or vaginal cancer can present with bleeding after sex, particularly when episodes recur, although bleeding has many non-cancerous causes. An examination is needed to locate the source rather than judging the cause from the amount alone.

Stop sexual activity, use a pad to track ongoing blood loss, and arrange urgent clinical advice. Do not insert a tampon or anything else into the vagina. If possible, note when the bleeding began, whether there was pain or injury, your last period, pregnancy possibility, medicines that affect bleeding, discharge, and fever.

A clinician may examine the vagina and cervix, check for pregnancy or infection, and review whether cervical screening is due. Further tests depend on what they find. Even when bleeding settles, book an appointment if it was unexplained, heavy, or has happened before.

Go to emergency care if bleeding is rapidly soaking pads, will not slow, or occurs with fainting, dizziness, confusion, marked weakness, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, or pale clammy skin. If pregnancy is possible, heavy bleeding or pain requires urgent assessment because pregnancy-related causes must be excluded.

Ask where the blood came from, whether a tear or cervical change was seen, whether pregnancy and infection testing are needed, if your cervical screening is current, and what recurrence or accompanying symptom should send you directly to emergency care.