What if a cone biopsy does not relieve bleeding after sex?

A cone biopsy removes a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue, but bleeding after sex can have more than one cause. Healing tissue may bleed if sex or vaginal products are resumed before the advised recovery period ends. Other possibilities include cervical inflammation, infection, a polyp, vaginal dryness or a condition elsewhere in the reproductive tract. The timing of the procedure, amount and colour of blood, pain, discharge and whether bleeding happens every time are relevant details.

Follow the aftercare instructions from your surgical team and avoid vaginal intercourse, tampons or douching until they say healing is adequate. Make an appointment if bleeding persists beyond the expected recovery period or returns after it had stopped. The clinician may examine the cervix, check for infection, review pathology and arrange further tests if the pattern calls for them. Do not use leftover antibiotics or insert products without advice.

Seek urgent help for bleeding that is heavy or rapidly increasing, dizziness or fainting, severe pelvic pain, fever, or foul-smelling discharge. Contact the surgical team promptly for new bleeding during recovery, clots, worsening pain or concerns about the wound. If pregnancy is possible, mention it when seeking advice because bleeding and pelvic pain need a different assessment.

Has my cervix healed as expected? Could infection, dryness or a cervical polyp explain the bleeding? Were my biopsy results reassuring, and is follow-up complete? When is sex safe again? Which amount or pattern of bleeding should prompt urgent care?