Bleeding (but not properly) after sex

[bigmumma73]

I hope u can all help.. I have an appt booked with the local nurse this thursday but am wondering if i am alone here. Hubby had vasectomy over three years ago, last few times we have had 'vanilla' sex i have had a pink tinge down below. No proper bleeding though. I have in the past put it down to just being close to my period which again i am. Periods regular and v heavy since coming off the pill. Last smear was two years ago this month was clear although when she took it she said showed sign of dyskariosos i.e inflamation. I am concerned although not stressing. No pain as such just the odd womanly twinge! Anyone help or had similar?

It's probably just a cervical erosion.. Common cause of bleeding after sex. And common things.
How old are you ?

Just turned 40!

I would ask to have a smear again - I had severe dyskariosis appear between smears and the first sign of it was bleeding after sex. I had put it down to cervical erosion too from being on the pill. Best be safe and get it checked!

Thanks both, its very odd, its not proper bleeding just a pink tinge. I always thought anything odd after sex would be proper bleeding, am I wrong?

Sorry.. I twigged the. 30 after I posted that due to your name! Lol..

I specialise in Gynae and we get a lot of post coital bleeding.. Typical common things are the erosions. Or cervical polyps.. Dryness... Positional
Sometimes..

periods all ok I take it? Not on pill or other type of contraception ? any bladder symptoms ? Infection?

"Last smear was two years ago this month was clear although when she took it she said showed sign of dyskariosos i.e inflamation"

Ok can you clarify this sentence please? When was your last smear and have you had the result letter?
Dyskaryosis is not the same thing as inflammation. Dyskaryosis = abnormal cells, these cannot usually be seen by the naked eye. Inflammation is,er, inflammation - sore bits and could be seen when taking a smear.
You won't get a smear again as it isn't an appropriate investigation for someone who has symptoms. As worley says it could be due to an ectropian but it does need someone to have a look and perhaps refer you to gynae or colposcopy for them to have clear look at your cervix.

Sorry for general slowness, life gets in the way of the stress! Bela thanks for your response, last smear was two years ago at end of June, I had the result letter, all was clear. I did discuss the result with my nurse (mainly because I am a little health stressy!) they send you the leaflet with your smear appointment invitation saying sometimes things are missed. It is my understanding now that all results are double checked by two technicians. Nurse told me not to worry. She saw redness but def. called it Dyskaryosis and said you may get a call back, obviously everything was fine..... Worley, thanks for your words it sounds like you know your stuff. Have had no other symptoms, no infection. Since I came off the pill the only thing I have noticed is periods are awfully heavy but as I said my sister has same, I get a show about 5 days before period due (not uncommon) they are regular and sometimes painful. The bleeding after sex isn't proper blood, just a pink tinge then gone by morning. No other contraception, no bladder problems, feel pretty damm good (apart from usual stress us working mothers get!) I wonder if it is hubby and not me, I did joke maybe he needs to produce a sample, but because of the redness at my last smear I am going to get checked anyway (this afternoon). Thanks for your advice. I wish I wasn't so stressy!!

Ok so if the nurse saw an area she thought showed possible abnormality or possibly inflammation then they are supposed to investigate that regardless of what the smear result shows.
I work in a screening lab.

Getting checked out is good, hope your appointment goes well.

Hi Bela, thanks for that. Went this afternoon, she said that it was best to get it checked but unlikely that it was anything sinister. Probably just the case too near my period the few times it has happened. She took a smear, but I told her that I thought I was coming on today (I was!) she said likely they would need to repeat. She took a swab also. She told me to go away and not worry, I am not (too much!) Same as last time she said I would get a letter. Just wait and see I suppose. Explained to my teenager why I came home and jumped in the shower (maybe that's just me!)

I have had EXACTLY the same symptoms as you over the last few months - just the pink tinge. I have been told I have cervical erosion. I was referred for colposcopy and biopsies to make sure it was nothing else, everything came back clear apart from the erosion.

Thanks anywinewilldo (love that name!) I have been soooo busy today but it's still playing on my mind. Were you told your cervix looked red at all?

Hi
If the smear and swab come back ok and you still have problems then you need to go back to the GP again. A smear is not a diagnostic test, so it is not supposed to be taken on someone who has symptoms, particularly if they're not due for screening.
The guidelines are here page 6 has a chart. Please don't be worried by what the document says about investigations, because it could well be due to period, ectropian etc however it is important to have the correct investigations.

Hi again Bela many thanks for this, i am confused then why she took a repeat smear? I have private medical insurance, I guess I should wait for the letter and then use the private is necessary..... I have a fun month coming up lots of birthday celebrations, I hope it doesn't get ruined by a 'bad' letter...... Wish I wasn't such a worrier!

Um, well because not all practice nurses seem to be up to date on current guidance I guess. In my opinion there is also some misunderstanding by the public and primary care community about what a cervical screening test is and its limitations.
I'm not intending to make you anxious (anymore than you may be anyway!) but it's really to try and say if you are still getting problems then (a) don't wait for the smear test result and (b) if the smear test is ok and you're getting bleeding still then please don't dismiss it. The smear test doesn't test for lots of things that can cause bleeding and so could delay you getting appropriate investigation.
The smear test is to detect pre-cancerous changes of the cervix and that's it.

Hope this helps, hope you are better soon.

Thanks bela your advice is much appreciated. I am not too worried (had suspect mole removed three years ago so far that tops anxiety stakes!) Tho the fact hubbies alarm woke me and now I can't sleep speaks volumes!

Yes, there was a red area visible, which has also been visible on previous smear tests. A red area is not necessarily dyskariosis ie pre-cancerous changes - it can simply be harmless inflammation! If the smear test comes back clear but you are still having symptoms, maybe you should push for a referral to colposcopy. That way, they can have a really good look under the microscope and biopsy the red area to make absolutely sure.

Also, they can cauterise the erosion so that it heals (I now have an appointment to have this done). Good luck!

Thanks anywine, that's reassuring. I am still waiting for my test results, obsessed a little today because I wasn't rushing around like a crazy woman probably. Hubbie keeps telling me to calm down, in my head I am such a worrier. Have decided I will be the statistic that they missed and it's bound to be bad news.

Cervical screening tests can take up to 14 days to get the result to you (NHS standard). Are the practice doing any other investigations (other than this and the swab)?

Hi bela no they just said wait for letter. Last one came in just over a week but I suppose it depends how busy U guys are! Tbh my practice has just merged with another and once these results are through I intend to move. Last appt (repeat smear)went to the loo, no toilet paper, no soap, disgusting! No paper to wipe myself with after smear test she said take some from the bed, disgusting!

Hi all (still watching!) just to let you know that I received my letter saying that my result was normal. I am obviously very very pleased, but I know that I need to get further checks to ensure my general gynae health is good.

The results of the swab aren't back (or I haven't heard from GP so assume they are either not back or are normal). I will follow up next week, these things always come when life is hectic enough!