What causes bleeding after sex

Vaginal bleeding after sex is common. Although it's often called "vaginal" bleeding, most benign bleeding in younger women comes from the cervix. However other parts of your genital and urinary systems can be involved. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Back to Women's health. The medical name for this is "postcoital bleeding". If you're concerned because you experience vaginal bleeding after sex, seek advice from your GP or a sexual health clinic genitourinary or GUM clinic. They will ask about your medical history and assess your symptoms. They can then advise you if any treatment is needed. Depending on any other symptoms and your medical history, your GP may recommend some tests or examinations, such as:. If the problem is caused by vaginal dryness, they may recommend that you try using lubricating gels.

Many women experience vaginal bleeding after sex at one time or another. In fact, up to 63 percent of postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness and vaginal bleeding or spotting during sex. Additionally, up to 9 percent of menstruating women experience postcoital bleeding. Occasional light bleeding is usually not a cause for concern.

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Postcoital bleeding refers to genital bleeding after intercourse. The medical community typically uses this term to describe bleeding from the vagina, a fairly common occurrence caused by a wide range of factors.