TTC - bleeding after sex - ideas on what is going on?

[LiquoriceAllsortsCandySticks]

Hello!

36 y.o. here, been ttc for the last 2 months. Both months so far, when we've DTD towards the end of the month (i.e. a few days before AF is due) I've had heavy (i.e. not spotting) but short (a few minutes) bleeding afterwards. This has happened once each month for 2 months.

I was wondering if this is likely to be related to the fact that we've been ttc for 2 months (it's never happened to me before), or if it's more likely to be coincidence and due to something completely different (polyps? infection?).

Bit stumped, and Mr Google isn't throwing up much :( Any ideas??

I can’t answer but I’m interested to hear from others also as I started spotting throughout the later part of my cycles too, only after starting TTC.

Hmmm ... interesting 2020 ... thanks for the info. I don't know if it's a sign of a non-viable pregnancy or..? Good luck with your mission!

My guess was it’s coming from the cervix kind of like what you get sometimes after a smear test? It’s making me think I should stop having sex after the fertile window. Not sure though. Only ever got the odd drop at ovulation exactly mid cycle before ever TTC - not numerous days of a bleed/spotting throughout the last week of the cycle before AF arrives. I’ve taken tests early that were negative so I don’t think it’s ever been a non-viable pregnancy for me 🤷‍♀️

Do you get painful/fairly heavy periods? I always have so I am wondering if I might have polyps or something else that’s just been undiagnosed.

What birth control were you using prior to ttc?

Hi! This is my first ever post but thought I’d let you know my experience. I had something similar happen to me a few years ago, when after sex (not every time but more often than not) I’d bleed for a couple of minutes. It was heavy, I’d almost describe it as being like a nosebleed as the blood was not the same sort as a period (TMI sorry!). Turned out to be where tissue from my womb was growing where it shouldn’t and I had it lasered at the hospital (I may be wrong as I can’t remember exactly but think it was endometriosis). Haven’t had any issues since then bleeding wise so I assume that sorted it out! It just sounded similar to what you described and it was easily sorted at the hospital (albeit an interesting experience with two students peering round my open legs to see what was going on 😂).

Thanks IAOT! Really helpful. Can I ask, did you just let the GP know and he referred you for an exam and it was discovered?

Hi Cali - I was just using condoms before TTC. Haven't been on the pill or anything for over a decade now ...

Hi 2020 - yes, I get (quite short), heavy, uncomfortable periods (pain used to be much worse but has got TONS better since I started taking ibuprofen a couple of days before due to calm down the prostaglandins.

I seem to remember having an examination at the GP (but may be wrong as it was a few years ago now), then got referred to the gynae ward for an appointment and that’s where they confirmed and treated if I remember correctly! I’d say definitely worth having a chat to Dr about if you can (I know that’s probably easier said than done in the current situation). I hope you manage to get sorted! 🤞🏼

I had this a few years ago along with a bit of pain during sex.

I was referred for a hysteroscopy and It turned out to be a cervical ectropian which they lasered off and it hasn't bothered me since.

Apparently they don't impact fertility and aren't dangerous, but they are an annoyance which you would want to get sorted out!

Thanks IAOT ... I think I'll have a work with GP then. Nosebleed is a great description... that's exactly it 😂

Iswhois ... that's really reassuring. Good to know. Thanks for taking the time to post.

OP- are your smears up to date? Any pain when it happens? Is it a new partner since your last STI screening?

I had this 3mths in a row, also TTC, but always closer to ovulation date. The 1st month it happened, we hadnt have intercourse, so I assumed it was an ovulation bleed. Mine was much lighter though, more like spotting when I wiped. Do you drink much alcohol? That can increase your clotting time, and cause bleeding when the cervix is irritated. Do you have a retroverted uterus? Depending on the sexual position, the cervix can get irritated more when retroverted.

Any change in cycle pattern and vaginal bleeding should be investigated. You GP may not be seeing patients at the moment, so keep a diary of the bleeding, how heavy, pain, when it occurred etc etc. best of luck x

@LiquoriceAllsortsCandySticks glad I don’t sound too crazy in my description! It’s just nosebleed was the closest thing to it and it’s how I described it to GP when I had it as well! 😂
I hope you manage to get sorted, very good shout above as well about keeping a diary.
Good luck hope you get it sorted soon! X

@elouera ... all good points! I'm tee-total with a clean diet, and partner isn't new, but I haven't had a smear etc. for many years and I know my mother had something re. uterus being a bit peculiar (! Can't remember exactly). Perhaps just coincidence that it's happening when we're TTC then, but it seems like GP appt is def the sensible next step.

@LiquoriceAllsortsCandySticks- Majority of Dr's/practice nurses aren't doing smears at the moment, but certainly mention that yours is out of date if you do get an appointment.

Why haven't you had a smear for many years?

Please get a smear, I'd get a GP appointment (probably phone right now) to explaim the bleeding and that you're behind on smears. Rather than just request a smear as they're not being routinely done right now.

I'm fanatical about this sort of thing as I have family history of ovarian cancer, when I had bleeding once I had a swab taken and it was sympton-less thrush. So it's not necessarily anything scary

@parkandride @itsmeactually ... I don't actually know why I haven't had a smear in a while. Had lots in the past, just not been called in for one for maybe 6 or 7 years now...

I get the same, sometimes after sex but sometimes... TMI... after a bowel movement.

It has been diagnosed as cervical ectropian/erosion (same thing). It's where womb tissue grows slightly out of the cervix.

I've been told it doesn't affect fertility at all.

Interesting that someone mentions retroverted uterus. I've been told I have this too, so makes sense for me.

It’s good to hear those of you with diagnosed womb/cervix abnormalities were told it’s not going to impact fertility.

I had my last smear in October and was all clear. Definitely recommend anyone overdue one to try and get yours booked as soon as you can. They always forget to remind me to come every few years so I try and make a note to remind myself to book without waiting for an invite.

Hi all ... so... slightly different question. Just taken a preg test (well 3 actually!!) and got 3 BFPs 😳 I'm absolutely delighted, but now worried that the bleeding last week was an early miscarriage/failed implantation but my HCG levels are still showing as high? Any further thoughts? Bit shocked right now!

Congrats! Might have been implantation bleed then? Both times, mine has been a tiny speck on toilet paper. Nothing heavier at all, but everyone is different. I did a phone consultation with my GP, after BPF. He then sent the link to self refer to the midwives. Are you taking folic acid already?

Great news @LiquoriceAllsortsCandySticks 😃 how far along are you?

@elouera - thanks! I guess next step is to tell the nurse then. I am taking folic acid but only started a week ago.