What causes bleeding after sex?

There are several reasons for bleeding as a result of sexual intercourse (also called post-coital bleeding) in women. It is often caused by an inflamed area on the surface of the cervix (neck of the womb), and sex can cause it to bleed. This inflammation is called cervical erosion, and it is commonly found in young women, pregnant women and those on the contraceptive pill.

Bleeding may also be caused by small growths called polyps emerging from the cervix. These are almost always benign. In some cases, the bleeding may be caused by an infection (such as chlamydia or cystitis), or by changes to the cells of the cervix. It is important that this is checked by your doctor or family planning clinic.

It may also occur as a result of a decrease in the amount of vaginal secretions, which can lead to painful intercourse. This condition is called atrophic vaginitis, and usually occurs after the menopause when the lack of the female hormone estrogen affects the levels of mucus in the vagina. Lubricating gels may help.

However, if you are also taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and have unexplained vaginal bleeding, you should consult your doctor for advice. Very rarely, vaginal bleeding after sex is caused by a malignant (cancerous) growth in the vagina or on the cervix, so it is very important that this is checked.