Postcoital bleeding is bleeding that occurs in women after having sexual intercourse. The medical term used to refer to this condition is coitorrhagia. It is a fairly common condition that is not related to menstruation.
Many women who experience this postcoital bleeding tend to panic. However, it is estimated that it occurs in almost 10% of women . In addition, half of the cases resolve spontaneously because they have no pathological cause.
In fact, there are many situations that can cause this postcoital bleeding . Therefore, in this article we explain the most relevant ones so that you know what you can do if it happens to you. It is important to know that the ideal thing is to always consult a doctor if you have any doubts.
Why does postcoital bleeding occur?
As we have already mentioned, postcoital bleeding has a very varied etiology. In fact, it is more common for it to be due to some non-pathological cause and to resolve spontaneously , such as a small wound caused by friction during sex. Other possible causes are:
- Vaginal dryness. This same dryness is what causes small tears to occur during friction. It is very common that, if you are not sufficiently aroused or are nervous, the vagina is not as moist as it should be. In these cases, using a good lubricant can be the solution.
- Use oral contraceptives. These are medications that alter a woman's hormonal cycle. Hormones have a significant impact on vaginal moisture, which is why contraceptives are also often associated with dryness.
- Having an infection, whether it is a sexually transmitted disease or a vaginal yeast or bacterial infection . It is very important to know that postcoital bleeding can be one of the first signs of STDs. You should always see a doctor to study this possibility and treat it.
Infections are much more common than we think . Also, as we have just mentioned, it is not always a question of STDs. Many women experience bacterial or fungal infections throughout their lives due to a simple lowering of their immune system or other reasons.
Pathological postcoital bleeding
On the other hand, it is true that this postcoital bleeding can have more serious causes. Although it is not so common, bleeding can be due to an endometrial polyp, a uterine fibroid or even cervical cancer .
Cervical cancer is the most serious cause of post-coital bleeding. Fortunately, this disease is becoming less prevalent. This is because women are undergoing more frequent gynecological check-ups.
In addition, many studies have shown that there is a relationship between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus . That is why, today, thanks to the vaccine against this virus, the number of women with this tumor has also been reduced.
How can postcoital bleeding be diagnosed?
As we have just seen, the causes of postcoital bleeding can range from easily treatable dryness to a more serious problem, such as cervical cancer. Therefore, it is important to make a correct diagnosis of the cause of this bleeding.
First of all, you need to know how to identify whether the bleeding is post-coital or not, and also differentiate it from a possible menstruation. Likewise, it is essential to check that there are no injuries in the area that could be causing the bleeding, such as a small tear.
The gynecologist will perform an examination of the entire area . In addition, additional tests are usually requested, such as a vaginal cytology and a culture. This can rule out infections or cancer.
On the other hand, to reach a diagnosis on the causes of postcoital bleeding, you must explain the entire situation to the doctor , including whether you have any other underlying disease or if you are taking any medication.
In conclusion
Postcoital bleeding is a very common condition, and most of the time it is not caused by any pathological factors . However, it is necessary to rule out any disease that may be causing it, such as an infection. Therefore, it is important to consult a gynecologist if you have any questions.