Bleeding After Sex While Pregnant

Pregnancy increases blood flow to the cervix, so contact during sex may make its delicate surface bleed. Bleeding can also have causes unrelated to sex, and its appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

A small pink, red, or brown mark noticed soon after penetration may come from cervical or vaginal irritation. Infection, a cervical growth such as a polyp, or a pregnancy-related problem can also cause bleeding. The timing after sex does not prove that sex caused it.

Your maternity clinician will consider how much blood there is, whether it is continuing, your stage of pregnancy, pain or contractions, and any fluid loss. They may recommend an examination, ultrasound, urine or swab tests, or blood tests depending on the circumstances.

Use a pad rather than a tampon so you can monitor the colour and amount. Note when the bleeding began and whether you have cramps, pelvic pressure, fever, unusual discharge, dizziness, contractions, reduced fetal movement, or leaking fluid.

Pause penetrative sex until you have spoken with your maternity team and the bleeding has settled. Contact the service responsible for your pregnancy today for advice, even if the spotting is light or has stopped. If you know your blood group is Rh-negative, mention this because the team will decide whether additional treatment is needed.

Seek urgent maternity or emergency care for bleeding that is heavy, increasing, soaking a pad, or accompanied by severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, faintness, collapse, fever, regular contractions, or fluid leaking from the vagina.

Later in pregnancy, urgent assessment is also needed if the baby is moving less than usual. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or seriously unwell; call local emergency services.

Ask whether you need an examination or scan, when penetrative sex can resume, and which changes should prompt another call. Tell them about previous pregnancy complications, placental concerns, cervical procedures, infections, medicines, and every episode of bleeding during this pregnancy.