Bleeding after sex - really worried

[electra]

I have an appointment with the GP but I'm really worried because in my whole life I've never ever bled unless I've got my period/just after I've had a baby.

It happened after I had sex - not the first time but the second time.

I haven't had a smear for ages but really worried. I do have a few risk factors - I'm on the pill, have a partner who's had a lot of partners (though I'm not sure how you define 'a lot') and I've had chlamydia before which was successfully treated.

Has anyone else had this?

Yes I have.
I too had not had a smear and it turned out I can pre cancerous cells which were removed by a cone biopsy and then lasered.

Have had normal smears since and no bleeding after sex.

But thats just me, it can be due to a cervical erosion which is just like an small area that can be aggrivated during sex but is harmless.

The gp will probably have a quick look and do a smear at the same time.

I've had bleeding after sex twice, two different causes, neither cancer-related.

First time: quite heavy bleeding after sex (esp deeper positions). Turns out I had something on my cervix (like a skin tag??) that had started bleeding. Had it cauterised and problem fixed.

Second time: slight tearing sensation during sex, bit of bleeding afterwards. Turns out I have vulval eczema which causes the labial skin to be more fragile.

Anyway, point is, it may have a perfectly harmless explanation. Go to your GP and get it checked out, asap.

And get regular smears done - whatever the answer turns out to be. Seriously.

It might be a cervical erosion or a polyp. You're doing the right thing going to the docs. I had mid cycle bleeding but we couldn't be sure it wasn't after sex bleeding because we were ttc so were obv having sex mid cycle. Turned out to be nothing to worry about at all.

Good luck and I know it's trite but try not to worry.

Ah yes magnolia it was a cervical erosion I had the first time, couldn't remember the word.

Glad you got yours sorted.

Thanks for your replies. I've been to the GP and he has made an appointment for me to have a smear. He said it sounds as if some tissue got disturbed during sex but that it's really important I have a smear. So I just hope it will turn out to be ok. I will never be lax about it again - that's for sure.

Has the GP done swabs and/or a visual examination? The NHS cervical screening guidelines for investigation of vaginal bleeding are here.
Often as the others have said it is due to an erosion or (the better choice of name) ectropion. This is where the endocervical canal and ectocervix meet and the skin is much thinner. This means it bleeds more easily and gets infections such as candida and inflammation fairly easily as well.

A cervical smear alone is not an appropriate investigation as screening is for those without symptoms.

No but he said that he wants the nurse to do this at the same time as the smear and that if a problem is found he said he would need to do an examination also. He said he thought it would be better for it all to be done at the same time.

The loss I had was kind of pinky discharge, not fresh blood. I am worried but just waiting for the appointment really.

Thanks for your explanation - he thought this was likely what had happened. I had a cervical exam a few months ago and the nurse at that time said that my cervix looked healthy and did not bleed when she took a swab so I hope that any changes are recent. I am worried though because this is very definitely not normal for me.

Ah, I've read the article. I'm 30 though - so obviously at much higher risk than a 20-24 year old in theory.

Ah well it makes sense to do both at the same time. I work in a screening lab and hear quite a few tales of women having bleeding, a smear test and nothing else; so I try to highlight the information out there so that women are aware of what investigation/tests/treatment they can expect.
Hope the appointment goes well.

Thanks Bela, I hope so too.

Ok, I've had the smear this morning. It didn't hurt at all but there was a bit of bleeding when the nurse took the sample and she said my cervix looks red. However, I've had no bleeding after sex since that time which prompted me to go to the GP.

But I'm worried because I had an examination of my cervix at the sexual health clinic about 4 months ago and the nurse there said it looked completely normal and also it didn't bleed when she scraped it (sorry, tmi!) I explained this to the nurse who did my smear and I also asked her if she was going to examine me generally and she said that she isn't qualified to examine the cervix, that the nurse at the sexual health clinic would be 'better placed' to do an examination of that kind and she seemed to be suggesting I should go back there.

When I saw the GP he said that he expected the nurse to do an examination as well as a smear so I'm confused.

bump

There seems to be some limitations on the communication in your practice. Perhaps a word with the practice manager to say you're being given different messages?
The sexual health clinic is usually a good place to go as they have lots of experience in seeing inflammation and possible infection related changes.

I've recently had bleeding after sex and also at odd other times (not a lot of blood). I have a history of persistent cin 3 and have had 3 lletz treatments. I saw my Gp on Monday and she examined me. She examined me and found my uterus to be enlarged so she's referred me for an urgent scan.

I would expect to be examined in your situation I think.

Thanks for replies - I managed to see a GP for an examination just now. I was worried because the GP I originally saw said he expected the nurse to do a full examination and when I saw her she wouldn't, saying she wasn't qualified.

Anyway, he's had a look at my cervix and also did a pelvic exam and said that it feels normal and also that in his opinion my cervix doesn't even look red. So it's case of waiting for the smear results and hoping everything's ok.

I was concerned because of what bela said, and also because I read an article once which talked about a delay in dx of cervical cancer in cases where there was abnormal bleeding and the patient was referred for a smear but was not examined.

I've just got my smear result which showed borderline cell changes apparently. I have to go back for a test in 6 months but do not require treatment unless the cells don't return to normal.

Does this sound pretty standard?

I regularly bleed after sex. Not a lot, just a little.

Was really really worried. Had all the tests - smear, internal examination, internal scans and they collated all the results and found nothing untoward. They said that sometimes this just happens, probably some sort of cervical erosion from when I had children. It started when I was pregnant with my first baby. However, the bleeding is tiny and it doesn't hurt so I'm just gonna live with it.

Please don't worry too much and my clinicians told me it takes a very long time for cervical cancer to develop.

I have regular smears.

Thanks daytoday - I guess that at this point the changes are mild. I am glad I've had the smear, at least. I was worried. Actually it was my boyfriend who nagged me to go to the GP.

i bled after sex and turned out i had cin 3

i was lasered, had cone biopsy and also Cryotherapy tho that was about 12years ago so not used much now

interesting info

i also had cervical erosion (small fatty flesh bit) which when rubbed during sex bleed - and it was cut off

i was on 6mthly then 12mthly and now back to 3yrs smears

and all clear :)

good luck