Bleeding After Sex with Brown Discharge

Blood turns brown as it remains in the vagina and oxidises. It may be leftover menstrual blood or fresh contact bleeding that appears later, so colour alone does not reveal its cause.

Sex can dislodge blood already present near the end of a period. Friction may also irritate dry or inflamed vaginal tissue, while cervical inflammation, a polyp, or an infection such as chlamydia may produce both contact bleeding and altered discharge.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause can present with vaginal dryness, discomfort and contact bleeding. Cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and vaginal cancer can also present with bleeding after sex, although this symptom has many non-cancerous explanations. An examination is needed to locate the source.

Note the discharge colour, smell and consistency, how long it lasts, where you are in your menstrual cycle, and whether there is itching, pain, fever or urinary discomfort. If pregnancy is possible, take a pregnancy test at the appropriate time and tell the clinician the result.

Arrange an appointment if the pattern recurs, appears outside expected menstrual bleeding, or is new after menopause. The clinician may examine the vagina and cervix, test for infection, and check whether cervical screening is current. Do not douche or use fragranced vaginal products, because these may worsen irritation.

Get urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fainting, marked weakness, fever, or bleeding when pregnancy may be present. Seek a timely review for foul-smelling discharge, persistent pelvic pain, sores, bleeding between periods, or any bleeding after menopause.

You might ask whether the discharge is blood or another type of fluid, whether infection tests are suitable, and whether the cervix looks irritated or has a visible growth. Mention contraception, recent procedures, medicines and your last cervical screening so the assessment fits your circumstances.