Bleeding after sex - marina cook talk me down please

[LEMtheoriginal]

I'm in a state. I get severe anxiety so PLEASE positive stories only and don't flame me.

It's been going on a while - spotting that occurred a day or two after intercourse.

I have a marina coil so don't (or didnt) have periods. Even before that my periods were erratic.

This has been going on for a while and now I'm scared I've left it too long.

It took a while to put two and two together. The spotting has been going on at least two years and I seem to recall this happening previous to my previous smear which was clear. That was in 2015.

Went to Dr today and he has referred me for ultrasound and vaginal swabs.

I was starting to believe this was periods as it started to happen with monthly intervals. I have also been getting symptoms of periods so sore breasts (really sore!) And feeling horny in the week before the spotting takes place. Lately this has been followed by a week "period" although bleeding not heavy it was just when I wiped. I would say that this didn't occur until two days after intercourse (often the case) so was it connected. Stopped bleeding yesterday I think. Had sex this morning and then there was fresh blood later when I wiped.

I've stuck my head in the sand for so long through fear and now I'm terrified that anything I have won't be treatable.

Dr wasn't my gp but was so lovely and patient as I could barely speak. He said that he suspects it's the marena coil but wants me to have the tests anyway - I think he was being kind. I asked if I was in trouble and he said no but well he probably wanted the blubbering wreck out of his office.

Not sure how I'm going to get through the waiting. I assume the u/s will be within 2 week rule but didn't ask.

Fuck

[dementedpixie]

The coil and other contraceptives can make the cervix more friable and that can cause spotting after sex. I spot after a smear too (i have the mirena also)

[LEMtheoriginal]

Thankyou so much pixie - hopefully it is something like this. That is reassuring. I don't know how long it's been in I suspect at least 5 years. I know they leave them up to seven years. There is definitely a cyclic nature to this and I get period symptoms but I need to get it checked. Give me some walls to climb

[BakerBear]

Is your partner well endowed?

The reason i ask this is that i have had this and i found it was with a partner that was well endowed and it meant he was touching my cervix in some positions and thats what was causing it.

[LEMtheoriginal]

no baker that def isn't our issue! Poor dp :) also we have been together 25 years although I do wonder if things have err dropped a bit down there so well...um

I'm so scared

[ThierryEnnui]

I get some spotting after sex and like you, don't have periods due to the Mirena. I've been told it's cervical erosion and have had smears recently which show nothing untoward. Cervical erosion is fairly common - it's just some excess cells that grow outside of the cervix and can bleed. So nothing to worry about I wouldn't say from your post but obviously get it seen to if you are worried!

[ThierryEnnui]

Sorry, I didn't mean 'get it seen to' I meant go for the tests! I did read your OP

[FadedRed]

I used to work in Women's Health.
Some women do get periods with Mirena coil, or spotting around the time a period would be due.
Any coil will make the cervix more 'friable', and post coital or post smear bleeding can occur due to this.
The chance are most likely that this spotting is due to either or both of the above.
However, your GP is absolutely correct to want rule out infection or any other cause.
I know it's easy said than done, but try not to focus on a worse case scenario, when the chances are most likely it is not anything serious.

[AmberNectarine]

I have a Mirena and do bleed after sex sometimes (today in fact, sorry for TMI).

[LEMtheoriginal]

The Dr did say that the marena doesn't follow any rules and can mess up periods. I do wonder if the levels are reducing as it must have been in 5 years. I had to ]ave the last one removed under sedation as I am all a bit lax down there . I don't want this removed as I'm 47 and scared of menopause. One of the reasons I had the coil fitted is the dangerous psycho that put turns me into

[LEMtheoriginal]

*pmt

[dementedpixie]

They're only supposed to be in for 5 years. I need mine out under general anaesthetic as the strings have gone awol

[Kidssendingmenuts]

I've had the coil in since august last year and I fucking hate it! So much so it's coming out Friday and I'm having a jab instead. Periods all over the place and extremely heavy and clotting and spotting in between them also. Sometimes bleed after sex with it too. It's the worst decision I made in all honesty.
For some it works and for some it doesn't. It's not for me.
Have smears and swabs and all came back clear I just know it's that little bugger as I never had problems before xx

[JaneEyre70]

I've just one fitted (I'm 47) and GP said that this one can stay for 7 years because of my age. I've had spotting on and off the whole time I've had them (over 15 years) so don't be too worried. If your smears are up to date, it's unlikely to be anything sinister. You've done the right thing by getting it checked. Try not to worry.

[dementedpixie]

I don't recommend the jab. Put on loads of weight and bled all the time

[LEMtheoriginal]

Demented I think generally it's 5 years although the Dr that replaced my last one gave me the option of it being in another 2 years. Apparently 7 years is the default in Norway.

Thankyou so much for the replies. Putti g my mind at rest but still in the back of my mind.

[PollyPerky]

I read this thinking it was a request for a woman called Marina Cook!

It sounds as if you are in peri menopause perhaps and the bleeding is periods.

[DrGrey]

Hello, both my mum and I suffer PCOS and have had the coil fitted. (My mum has now had a hysterectomy) I'm fine but my mum was like you and had intermittent bleeding. I don't think it would be anything to worry about but normally they run tests to rule out anything in the cervix such as cysts etc. Hope you're feeling better.

[LEMtheoriginal]

So stressed - I thought it had stopped but it started again when I did a poo . I get spotting when I do this. Trying to persuade myself that it's the coil. Failing . I can't do this

[PollyPerky]

Take a deep breath and calm down :)

As others have said this is most likely a cervical erosions / ectropion. VERY common. Cells from the womb spread to the the outside of the cervix. They are delicate and bleed during sex, or if they are bumped in any way. Having a poo will put pressure on the cervix because your rectum is just behind the back wall of your vagina so the movement of the stool will press on your vagina and cervix.

It is highly unlikely you have cancer. Please stop thinking the worst.

[PollyPerky]

OR it could be the coil not controlling the bleeding now. Are you likely to be menopausal? You can get odd bleeding then even with a coil.

[LEMtheoriginal]

I'm just so scared . I know it's something bad and now it will be too late because I am a stupid stupid idiot and left it.

[PollyPerky]

You are being irrational.

You have no proof it is anything bad. If it was that bad you'd be dead now.

Worry if and when it is proven to be something serious. You will make yourself ill worrying and the odds are it is something very very minor.

Take control of your thoughts.

[LEMtheoriginal]

I want to believe it's the coil. I just feel so scared. My anxiety is beyond awful.

[PollyPerky]

You need to rationalise this. If it was cervical cancer your GP would have spotted it. I assume you are young. All the female cancers, such as womb and ovaries , are very very rare indeed before age 50. The Mirena protects you from womb cancer.

There is , literally, nothing it can be except some hormonal blip or a cervical erosion.

[LEMtheoriginal]

Gp didn't do an internal. My last smear was 2 years ago.