Bleeding after sex

[seratoninlevelsup]

The last few times I've had sex I've had a tiny bit of pink spotting after - not even enough to use a liner, just when I wipe. And I've been quite sore afterwards (sorry tmi). I've been to the GP and she's done swabs for infection which have come back clear. She says nothing to worry about given last two smear tests were clear including one in the last 6 months.

Do I need to pursue this any further? I have health anxiety and worry.

Yes, if you have unexplained bleeding after sex which lasts for more than 6 weeks you would usually be referred for a colposcopy (I'm a GP and this is standard practice). Smears are screening tests - they're useful for people with no symptoms. In somebody with symptoms, you need a diagnostic test - a colposcopy. If your symptoms persist for more than 6 weeks, speak to your doctor again.

oh god I'm terrified

Just in a proper anxiety panic hole now. Got a three year old DS.

I had this and it turned out to be hormonal. I really wouldn't worry.

I used to get mid cycle bleeding which was checked out (internal scan) and was hormonal (and haven't had any since really) but I think this is more than likely actually caused by sex given it's a tiny tiny bit of blood right after sex when I wipe. I was hoping it was just thrush and I was a bit irritated in that general area.

My thoughts spiral out of control and jump to the worse case scenario.

Don't panic. It's probably something harmless like an ectropion (an area on the cervix which bleeds when something presses on it, e.g. during sex). But you should get checked.

She looked at my cervix with a speculum and said she couldn't see any erosion or ectropion.

What is the point in going to the GP when they don't refer you for the correct tests!!!

Perhaps she had her reasons. It's hard for us to advise without actually knowing the full story or the exam findings. It sounds like you need help for the health anxiety as well as re: the post-coital bleeding. Why not make a double GP appointment to discuss both?

Ah I've had extensive treatment for anxiety. Meds, therapy, CBT, you name it I've done it. Bugger all has worked. It's a miserable way to live.

The vast, vast majority of mid-cycle bleeding isn't dangerous. You've had a recent smear test and all STI/infection tests have come back negative - the likelihood of it being anything bad is absolutely tiny

Aside from an STI, the NHS gives the following reasons:

• vaginal dryness (atrophic vaginitis) caused by reduced vaginal secretions after the menopause
• damage to the vagina, such as tears caused by childbirth, or by dryness or friction during sex
• cervical or endometrial polyps (benign or non-cancerous growths in the womb or the lining of the cervix)
• cervical ectropion (also known as cervical erosion), where there is an inflamed area on the surface of the cervix

None of those are dangerous, they're just one of those things. Worrying, yes, but I doubt it's anything to worry about. You've had a recent smear and an STI test - what else is it you are worried about?

Cervical cancer mainly. Scared shitless of all cancer

Could you go private and pay for another smear test if it would put your mind at rest?

Smear tests are just screening not diagnostic. It's a colposcopy I need. I'm just scared.

Ah bless you OP

I have just had the same, bled after sex yesterday (never happened before) and went into an absolute panic. Saw gp this morning who isn't concerned at all, in my case I am newly on the combined pill and she thinks it is that esp as when it happened I was coming to the end of my 7 day pill break so there would have been blood around up there anyway. she said they wouldn't remotely worry unless it happened for weeks on end and then it would be likely a non serious reason. However I am the same as you, awful health anxiety so Now I will be scared to have sex again. crazy hey. i have awful health anxiety specifically to do with the c word it is SHIT isn't it :(

however try to remember that The likelihood it is absolutely nothing to worry about esp as you have had clear smears / swabs

Update. Went to go again, she had another look, said all looks fine but she's referred me for a transvaginal scan to check for polyps.

But worried its not a colposcopy but she said two clear smears in three years plus healthy looking cervix have reassured her

That is great news! Hopefully you get your appointment quick and you can be reassured x

OP if it helps I once got chatting to my consultant gynaecologist when I was having recurrent miscarriage investigations (I think my recent clear smear results were worded differently from usual and I asked her about it) and she reckoned the new type of smear tests are going to pretty much stamp out cervical cancer - she said they had a lot of confidence in the new screening system that was being rolled out.

This was a couple of years ago so if you’ve had a clear smear in the last year I really would put cervical cancer out of your mind, it’s much more likely to be hormonal!

I had this and I had a transvaginal scan and it was polyps.

Please try not to worry - I know it's hard.

I'm just so frightened it's cervical cancer. GP said she'd refer me for more tests if the scan came back clear but said the fact I've never had an abnormal smear makes cancer v unlikely.

Just you read stories about women having umpteen smears who still had cancer etc.

Getting married in ten days and will be worrying about this the whole time now.

Seratonin in the nicest possible way I think you need some help with your health anxiety

And I speak as someone who has it herself!! Xx

I know I do but I've tried everything already. I feel I'm a lost cause.

Awww i am sorry you feel like that.

When you say you’ve tried everything do you mean you’ve spoken to your dr about it? Because really they should refer you for counselling

Sorry you are feeling so worried. The fact that you have had very recent clear smears is really, really reassuring. And the fact that you have been examined by a Dr who has looked at your cervix, and it looks healthy.

A transvaginal scan will hopefully put your mind completely at rest.

I’ve had the same thing, had exactly the same examinations & scan, no cause found & likely hormonal. I’m also terrified of cancer - doesn’t help that I’m a Macmillan Nurse! If it reassures you, I have never met any woman with cervical cancer who had regular, normal smear tests.

Wishing you all the best.

Chill out woman!

Is sex painful? Is it blood coming from your vagina?

Sorry for reopening a new thread but I’ve just been through the worrying 2 week pathway wait for bleeding after sex despite a history of clear smears.
I had a colposcopy today and it was fine. Just a cervical erosion that the GP didn’t pick up.
This thread gave me so much hope so I just wanted to say thank you (even though I know no one will probably see this!) x