I started bleeding after sex: what now?

A small amount of blood can follow friction, dryness, or a minor vaginal injury. Other possibilities include cervical ectropion, a polyp, inflammation, chlamydia or another infection, and bleeding that happens to coincide with a period.

Cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and vaginal cancer can include bleeding after sex among their presentations, but the symptom does not identify the cause by itself. Repeated episodes need examination even when there is no pain.

Pause penetrative sex until bleeding and soreness have settled. Use a pad so you can see whether the bleeding is stopping, and avoid douching. Write down the amount and colour, pain, discharge, period timing, contraception, pregnancy possibility, and whether this has happened before.

Arrange a clinician visit for unexplained bleeding, recurrence, pain during sex, unusual discharge, or bleeding between periods. They may inspect the vagina and cervix, offer a pregnancy or infection test, and check whether cervical screening is up to date. Treatment depends on the cause found.

Seek urgent care for heavy or continuing bleeding, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fainting, dizziness, fever, or feeling very unwell. Obtain prompt assessment if pregnancy is possible and bleeding occurs with one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, or weakness. These warning signs determine urgency regardless of the suspected cause.

Ask whether the cervix and vaginal tissue look healthy, whether infection or pregnancy testing is appropriate, whether cervical screening is due, how to reduce friction safely, and what pattern of future bleeding needs reassessment.