Spotting after sex during pregnancy

Pregnancy increases blood flow to the cervix, so contact can cause light spotting. The vagina may also bleed when it is irritated or inflamed. Cervical polyps and infections such as chlamydia are other possible causes. A history of cervical dysplasia or a known fibroid may affect the checks your clinician recommends, but spotting alone cannot diagnose any of these conditions.

Bleeding can also occur with pregnancy complications, particularly when it is accompanied by cramps, pelvic pain, fluid loss or contractions. The significance depends on how far along the pregnancy is and what the examination shows.

Stop intercourse until your maternity team advises that it is appropriate. Use a pad rather than a tampon so you can observe the colour and amount, and note whether the spotting stops. Tell the team about pain, cramps, dizziness, discharge, fluid loss, your blood group if known, and any previous pregnancy complications.

Do not assume that light spotting is harmless or that it means a serious problem. Your maternity team may arrange an examination, pregnancy-related tests or an ultrasound depending on your stage of pregnancy and symptoms.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for bleeding that becomes heavier, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, faintness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, fluid loss, regular contractions or reduced fetal movement when you are at a stage where movements are established. Use emergency services if you feel very unwell or cannot reach the maternity unit.

Ask whether you need an examination, whether sex should be avoided for now, what amount of bleeding should trigger another call, and how your pregnancy stage changes the assessment. If bleeding continues between episodes, ask about [Bleeding Between Periods](/symptoms/bleeding-between-periods/) as a related symptom topic.