What should you know about continuous bleeding after sex?

Bleeding after sex may come from a small surface tear, inflammation, an infection such as Chlamydia, or tissue changes on the cervix. Around menopause, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause can make vaginal tissue thinner and more easily irritated. Cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer can present with bleeding after sex, while vaginal cancer is another uncommon possibility. A symptom does not identify its cause by itself; examination and testing help separate common, treatable causes from conditions needing closer follow-up.

Arrange an appointment with a gynaecologist or sexual-health clinician. Note when the bleeding began, whether it follows every episode of sex, its colour and amount, pain, discharge, pregnancy possibility, contraception, and your last cervical screening. Avoid inserting products or having sex if these worsen bleeding. The clinician may examine the vagina and cervix, offer infection testing, and recommend screening or imaging based on your history. If a cervical sample shows an area needing assessment, a cone biopsy may be discussed; it is a procedure, not a diagnosis.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, faintness, marked weakness, severe or one-sided pelvic pain, fever, or bleeding during pregnancy. These features can signal blood loss, infection, or another problem requiring prompt assessment. If bleeding is light but keeps returning, book a routine appointment rather than waiting for it to disappear.

Ask: Could the bleeding be from the cervix, vaginal tissue, or an infection? Which tests or examination do I need? Is my cervical screening up to date? What symptoms should prompt urgent help?