Bleeding after sex

[Newusername099]

This has happened the last 2 times we’ve had sex, both very different days of my cycle. I thought maybe it could have been low oestrogen (I was breastfeeding my 1 year old at the time, but have since ceased this) and I had a blood test last week and my hormones are fine, just low prolactin which is to be expected.

i had a smear test that was all clear in the summer. I guess I’ll have to visit the doctors next week but what could it be?

A number of things. Cervical ectropion is common, especially around pregnancy. Completely harmless. Absolutely doing the right thing getting it checked out though x

Just looked this up, thank you! Could possibly be? I guess I better investigate

I had this I got refered to gyne. I had some Abnormal cells that had to be frozen off.

Oh! I didn’t even know this was a thing. How was the procedure? Had you had a smear test much longer before they diagnosed this?

Although really unlikely, bleeding after sex is a symptom of endometrial cancer or some of the earlier stages is bleeding after sex. It cannot be assessed through a smear. You need an ultrasound as the first step.

It was a longtime ago I think about twenty years. I can’t remember when the previous smear had been. I definitely had a smear as part of exam but I can’t remember if I had anything else . The freezing procedure was quick and painless. The cells weren’t cancerous .
i think I had extra smears fir the next year.

🫡🥲

You’re right to get checked out just in case of the small chance that it’s due to something serious. Your GP should refer you to- possibly under the 2 week wait process.

You will need a colposcopy likely so they will biposy some cells of your cervix and test them. Since your last smear was clear it's unlikely to be cervical cancer, cervical cancer is very slow growing so don't worry because it's quite treatable as a result. Have you had the HPV vaccine?

It could also be uterine polyps, or vaginal dryness. So make sure you ask the GP to book you a transvaginal ultrasound to check. It could be getting low dose topical vaginal oestrogen would help with that as well. As PP mentioned it could also be cervical ectroption

You'll likely have a swab for STIs just in case and also some blood tests, a pregnancy test as well. Depending on the results then you might need a hysteroscopy. If they found polyps then you would need them removed and they'd do it through a hysteroscopy or to explore your endometrium of the transvaginal ultrasound shows it is very thick.

Are you on contraception? Make sure you use lots of lubricant when you have sex as well to help.

Thank you for the reply 🩷 I’m not on contraception, no, partner has had a vasectomy. Totally understand they’ll need to rule everything out though.

I seem to have now come on my period now though, from the bleeding last night. I was due on tomorrow so not a real shock, I guess maybe I should wait until my period is finished and try again see if it happens then?

I think still see the GP next week, they can examine you whilist your bleeding it's fine, (they likely won't need to but might give you the swabs to self-swab or you can get them to do it) and they won't do the colposcopy in that appointment, they won't have the time, they'll just discuss symptoms etc. So if you see them next week you have it booked in sooner and make sure anything nasty is ruled out and also get transvaginal scan quicker as well.