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Original poster

Bleeding after sex. Please come and tell me your...it's fine stories

32 replies

HarrietTheRabbit · 18/10/2017 21:45

So last couple of times DH and I had sex it was a bit sore. First time there was a bit of old blood the next day. Last time there was bright red blood shortly afterwards.

I've been dithering about going to the doctor's but I'm going to try and get an appointment tomorrow.

I know it can be a variety of things but I'm a bit worried it might be cervical cancer (feel ridiculous even saying that) I do have regular smear tests - think I'm probably due one soon.

Please come and reassure me it's most likely nothing, thanks.

OP posts:
thefutureisours · 18/10/2017 21:49

I had bleeding after sex. Was cervical erosion. I was terrified of cervical cancer because I'd had changes before and had treatment. I couldn't get my scheduled smear due to pregnancy. Got one 4 months after my son was born and it was fine. I had cryogenic treatment on the erosion and I don't get bothered nearly as much with bleeding as I used to. Call the doc and book your smear if you are worried.

nobutreally · 18/10/2017 21:51

Sounds like cervical erosion to me (I have it & went through stages of bleeding after sex). Totally benign and treatable if you want to through cauterisation.

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 18/10/2017 22:05

Thanks. I'm hoping if it has to be anything that's what it is. I haven't had any of the other symptoms of it.
I haven't had a period in over 10yrs as I have had the mirena coil for that long (not the same one obvs!) so no spotting.

How did your docs diagnose? Did you have a smear test to rule out anything nasty? I'm wondering if the doc will do it there and then or I'll have to make another appointment.

OP posts:
UnmentionedElephantDildo · 18/10/2017 22:08

Yes, they may well do a smear. Erosion is diagnosed (I think) by looking at your cervix. As are polyps - which are almost invariably benign and are painless to remove.

user1493413286 · 18/10/2017 22:09

I had this and it was cervical ectropian. The doctor examined me when I went; told me that it was likely to be that and sent me for a smear test and referred me to the hospital who cauterised it and been fine since

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 18/10/2017 22:11

Watching, I'm in a similar situation and in the middle of having everything else ruled out. Doctor and GP think it's erosion but I've had an extra smear and will have a scan before they cauterise. So no they didn't cauterise during my first appointment unfortunately!

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 18/10/2017 22:34

Sorry, I meant do the smear there and then. I really hope so. It's difficult getting an appointment at my GPs' so I don't want to have to wait to book another one.

Thanks everyone for replying. It is reassuring that cervical erosion (lovely term!) is most often the cause.

OP posts:
FudgeDelight · 18/10/2017 22:44

Thanks so much for posting this OP, I've been having very minor spotting after sex recently too, I had a smear which came back fine only 3 months ago so hope it's just something benign, but am going to make a GP appointment just to stop me worrying. Very reassured by the posts on here where things have turned out ok, so thanks MNs Smile

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 18/10/2017 22:48

Glad to (indirectly) help Fudge Smile. Definitely not one to ignore but sounds like it's most likely to be a harmless cause. Good luck at the GP.

OP posts:
FudgeDelight · 18/10/2017 23:11

Good luck with the GP to you too @HarrietTheRabbit Smile

C0untDucku1a · 18/10/2017 23:13

I have think too. Had a camera up there and could see it on the screen.

okilydokily · 18/10/2017 23:21

Cervical erosion/ectropion here too. I've had bleeding after sex for the past 8 or 9 years, on and off. Had the area cauterised a couple of years ago but haven't noticed much improvement. I sometimes bleed slightly after going for a No.2 or after diarrhoea. SORRY TMI. My smears have been fine since 2011. I've been told it's nothing to worry about.

eyebrowseyebrows · 19/10/2017 07:22

I've had it twice...once was because the lining of my cervix was thin and once was a cervical polyp. Nothing to worry about but (stating the obvious) you should have it checked out to be on the safe side.

I don't know if it helps but the reason smear tests are once every 3 years is that generally cervical cancer is relatively slow in terms of the speed it develops so even if it was related the fact you had a clear smear three years ago suggests you'd more than likely be catching it very early.

I had the most severe grade of pre-cancerous cells when I was 19. Had them removed in a 20 minute outpatient op and all has been well since (now 35). I guess I'm saying...even if things do start to point to potential issues with abnormal cells, don't panic!

TwatteryFlowers · 19/10/2017 08:03

I had bleeding after sex and my gp hadca look, did tests/took swabs to rule out infection and then referred me to a gynaecologist. The gynae did the smear and said it looked like an ectropian (cervical erosion) but referred me to the colposcopy dep't anyway.

It turned out to be very early stages of cancer and, because they caught it so early, they treated it easily and quickly with the lletz procedure and then a cone biopsy and I went on to have two children.

Don't panic because it's more than likely going to be nothing but, if it is something, catching any potential problems early means they're very easily treated. Please don't wait to be seen though.

Mrspig86 · 19/10/2017 08:21

My GP referred me under the 2 week urgent pathway to a gynaecologist for light bleeding the day after sex. I had two appointments last week. I had a clear smear test in August so went to the colposcopy appointment expecting nothing to show up when he put the vinegar solution on but unfortunately it did. So now I'm waiting for my biopsy results in the post. The doctor I saw did mention it looks precancerous so fingers crossed it is still at that stage. Luckily my GP was very good and took it seriously, so on your symptoms alone your GP should be referring you straight to a specialist. Good luck

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 19/10/2017 12:56

Thanks everyone who have shared their experiences Flowers, I'm not going to delay going.

OP posts:
FudgeDelight · 19/10/2017 18:09

Thanks everyone, you've also reassured me but also convinced me not to delay going to the GP, will call them tomorrow Smile

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 19/10/2017 18:24

Fudge - I saw the GP today. She did an examination (like a smear test without the swab) and said she could confirm from that if it was cervical erosion. Mine isn't but she thinks bleeding is quite probably from the mirena coil I have fitted. I'm now on the two week path to see a gynaecologist.

I'm disappointed it wasn't cervical erosion (who knew I'd ever type that sentence Grin) because that could have been the end of it but the GP was immensely unfussed (in a good way!) and just following protocol with the 2 week gynae referral.

One thing she said was that as my smear test is coincidentally due next month she couldn't do one there and then as they would refuse to process it and the only other option was the 2 week referral. Sounds ridiculous to me.

OP posts:
FudgeDelight · 19/10/2017 19:20

Thanks for the update @HarrietTheRabbit, I'm glad you saw your gp, sorry you didn't get any immediate answers but good they're being proactive, is the two week referral a standard thing with this type of thing?

TwatteryFlowers · 19/10/2017 19:27

I think it is, Fudge. That's what I was told, anyway - that if someone presents with symptoms that could possibly show a cancer then they aim to get you in, seen and on your way to being treated within 2 weeks (please note though that I am not a medical professional and I went through this almost 10 years ago so things might have changed).

Good luck with your tests and results both Fudge and Rabbit Flowers

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 19/10/2017 21:22

Yy twatteryflowers that is the case - my friend's dh is a GP and he says that is the protocol (not that I was talking to him about my cervix at the time, this was last year!)

OP posts:
SamPotatoes · 19/10/2017 21:32

I had bleeding after sex and was referred under the two week wait. Long story short, after many tests it turned out to be the coil which had shifted. Whipped it out and no more bleeding. and no more crippling pain every month

Original poster
HarrietTheRabbit · 19/10/2017 22:08

@sampotatoes, what tests did you have to have? Also, was the pain all the time? Thanks.

OP posts:
SamPotatoes · 19/10/2017 23:10

After a smear, swabs and ultrasounds I had a laparascopy as they suspected endo. They found a few spots but nothing significant. I had pain pretty much constantly but the bleeding predated that- I'd been fobbed off on a previous appointment when I'd raised it and got told it was just my body adjusting to the coil.

I ended up pulling the coil out myself as I got demented by the bleeding and pain. My gynaecology was Shock but then congratulated me on solving the problem myself Hmm

FudgeDelight · 20/10/2017 08:58

Just spoke to my GP, she's booked me an appointment to see her next Saturday, she didn't sound overly worried as she said she could see on the system my smear in May was totally normal, and usually my GP practice give same day appointments for things that are urgent, so I guess that's reassuring but wish I could have been seen sooner to save the worry ConfusedConfused