Pink spotting after sex: what to know

A small amount of pink blood may come from vaginal dryness, a minor surface injury, or a sensitive area on the cervix. Infection such as chlamydia can also cause bleeding after sex, sometimes with discharge, pelvic discomfort, or pain when urinating. Polyps, fibroids, cervical dysplasia, and womb conditions are other possibilities. Cervical cancer is uncommon, but postcoital bleeding can be a presentation of it, so colour alone cannot rule it out or confirm it.

Arrange an appointment if spotting returns, happens without sex, or has no clear explanation. Record when it occurs, its amount and colour, pain, discharge, contraception, pregnancy possibility, and the date of your last cervical screening. A clinician may examine the vagina and cervix and offer infection testing or imaging based on your symptoms.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, faintness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or feeling acutely unwell. Get prompt advice if you may be pregnant, have a new sexual partner with infection risk, or notice persistent bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, or a new pelvic mass sensation.

Ask whether the cervix looks irritated, whether you need chlamydia or other infection tests, and whether your screening is up to date. Ask which changes should lead to an earlier review and what treatment would depend on the examination result.