Bleeding after sex for two days

A small surface tear can cause brief spotting, but ongoing blood may also come from cervical irritation, infection, hormonal changes, a polyp, or another gynaecological problem. The colour alone cannot identify the source.

Bleeding after sex is called postcoital bleeding. Friction and vaginal dryness may injure delicate tissue, while inflammation of the cervix can make it bleed when touched. Chlamydia can cause cervical inflammation, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause can make vaginal tissue dry and fragile.

Cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and vaginal cancer can present with bleeding after sex, but this symptom has many non-cancerous explanations. An examination is needed to distinguish among them; duration by itself does not diagnose a cause.

Use a pad rather than a tampon or menstrual cup so you can observe the amount. Note whether the blood is spotting or a flow, whether it is changing, and whether you have pain, unusual discharge, fever, dizziness, or a missed period. Avoid penetrative sex until bleeding stops and irritated tissue has had time to settle.

Arrange a clinician appointment. Depending on your situation, assessment may include a pregnancy test, examination of the vagina and cervix, infection testing, and checking whether cervical screening is due. Treatment should target the identified cause rather than simply suppressing the bleeding.

Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is heavy or increasing, you feel faint or weak, you have severe pelvic or abdominal pain, or pregnancy is possible and pain accompanies the bleeding. Fever, foul-smelling discharge, or feeling acutely unwell also warrants prompt assessment.

If you are pregnant, have gone through menopause, take medicine that affects clotting, or recently had a gynaecological procedure, contact a healthcare professional promptly even when the bleeding seems modest.

Ask where the blood appears to be coming from, whether infection testing is appropriate, whether your cervix needs closer examination, and what changes should trigger urgent care. Mention your last period, contraception, pregnancy possibility, cervical screening history, medicines, and any bleeding between periods.