What could bleeding or bright red spotting after intercourse mean?

Spotting or light bleeding after intercourse is almost always a cause for concern. Bleeding may also be accompanied by abdominal pain during or after intercourse, but in many cases bright red spotting after intercourse is the only symptom observed. 

What can brown, pink spotting or bleeding after intercourse mean and should you always consult a gynecologist in the case of such ailments?

Bleedingor maybe brown or light red spotting after intercourse: is this a cause for stress?

O spotting or bleeding after intercourse we say when it appeared immediately after sexual intercourse or in the next 24 hours. It is so-called contact bleedingwhich can have many causes. From completely harmless and requiring only further observation, to acute or chronic diseases of the reproductive system that require treatment.

If a woman observes blood-tinged mucus, bleeding or bright red spotting after intercourse, the first thing a woman panics about and seeks advice on an internet forum - this is a basic mistake.

First of all, do not immediately assume the worst-case scenario, because in most cases brown or pink spotting after intercourse is not a symptom of a serious disease. The advice and opinions that a woman receives on an online forum should never be a substitute doctor visits. Bright red spotting or bleeding after intercourse as a symptom of the disease may require treatment. It is worth remembering that any unusual bleeding from the genital tract that occurs after intercourse or for no apparent reason (and is not related to menstruation) is always requires consultation with a gynecologist. 

First time, recent menstruation, or maybe a vaginal injury? Light bleeding after intercourse does not always mean a serious illness

As we have already mentioned, it is not worth looking for information on an internet forum and immediately panic. Bright red spotting after intercourse very often does not indicate a serious disease, but it does other reasons - What?

You have recently had your period or your period is due any day now

If a woman is concerned that she has spotting and pain in the lower abdomen after intercourse, she should check the calendar first date of expected menstruation. Occasionally, your period may arrive a few days earlier or later, and this is usually nothing to worry about. Light bleeding after intercourse may occur up to 2-3 days after the end of menstruation - during sex, the uterus contracts more intensively, so that the remains of menstrual blood can still flow out of it.

First sexual intercourse

May or may not be associated with pink spotting or light bleeding after intercourse. It occurs for various reasons, including: breaking the hymen (not everyone is associated with bleeding after intercourse), stress associated with the "first time", little experience and lack of foreplay predispose to vaginal dryness, and therefore abrasions and microtrauma during sex. There may be a consequence of this pink spotting after intercourse.

Vaginal injuries

Too intense sex, short foreplay (may make the vagina not moisturized enough), lack of lubricant and haste can lead to vaginal micro-injuries, and thus to bright red spotting after intercourse.

Bleeding after sex can also be caused by: scars after stitching the crotch after childbirth or after plastic surgery, and also appear as a result of sexual violence.

Vaginal dryness

It predisposes to abrasions and injuries during sex, and thus to light bleeding or pink spotting after intercourse. It is characteristic of the period menopause and breastfeeding.

Stress

May cause increased psychophysical tension and hormonal disorders (especially chronic stress), which are a common cause of vaginal dryness and can contribute to postcoital spotting and abdominal pain.

Pregnancy

It is worth remembering that pink spotting can also be symptom of early pregnancy. Spotting the so-called Implantation bleeding most often occurs on the days of the expected menstruation and is associated with implantation of the embryo in the endometrium of the uterus. Spotting may also occur after intercourse.

Pink spotting or bleeding after intercourse may be associated with infections of the female reproductive organs 

Spotting after intercourse and pain in the lower abdomen can be one of the symptoms of intimate infections, including endometritis, vaginitis or appendicitis.

Bleeding after intercourse can often accompany sexually transmitted diseases.

In the course of intimate infections, women, in addition to light bleeding or spotting after intercourse, also observe, among others:

• lower abdominal pain;
• pain during intercourse;
• vaginal discharge with a disturbing color and/or smell;
• vaginal itching, pain and burning;
• and in some cases, also difficulties with urination and stool (including chlamydia).

Certainly, you should not look for a diagnosis on any forum Internet, but if you suspect an intimate infection, you should always visit a gynecologist. Let's remember that spotting or light bleeding after intercourse this is just one of the inconveniences that may occur in the course of intimate infections.

Some infections are associated with the risk of serious complications, such as infertility or inflammation of the appendages, which is why intimate infections always require consultation with a doctor who will decide on the implementation of appropriate treatment.

Bleeding after intercourse: diseases of the reproductive system

Bright red spotting or bleeding after intercourse can be caused by more or less serious diseases of the reproductive system, such as:

• Growth changes
  One of the causes of pink spotting or bleeding after intercourse can be growth changes such as cervical polyps or endometrial polyps. They usually have a mild course, but require regular check-ups with a gynecologist, and sometimes also surgery to remove polyps.
• Erythroplakia and glandular ectopia

• Endometriosis
  Another cause of bright red spotting after intercourse and pain in the lower abdomen can be endometriosis. It is a disease in which the endometrium, i.e. the lining of the uterus, is found elsewhere. Occasionally occurs in the vagina, causing contact bleeding.

These diseases with a relatively mild course require, first of all, reliable diagnosis (never on an internet forum!), regular check-ups with a gynecologist and implementation of appropriate treatment.

Bleeding after intercourse and more serious diseases of the reproductive system

In some cases slight bleeding after intercourse however, it can mean a very serious disease, such as cervical cancer (more common), vaginal cancer or endometrial cancer (these are less common). In most women, cervical cancer does not cause any specific symptoms, and in 11% of cases, it appears in women with cervical cancer. light bleeding or light red spotting after intercourse.

This is often the first sign of cancer developing in the cervix, so it's important to:

• regular cytology: preferably once a year or every 3 years if the test was performed with HPV typing;
• reporting to a gynecologist when observing any (apart from menstruation) unusual bleeding from the genital tract or spotting after intercourse.

To sum up - if a woman observes light bleeding after intercourse, she certainly should not panic, but it is always worth going to the doctor just in case gynecologistthat will reassure the patient or, if an acute or chronic disease is detected, will prescribe appropriate treatment.