Bleeding After Sex?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
Bleeding After Sex?
4
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 10:33am
Hello All! I am back with another question. I have recently become more sexually active with my Fiance (yes, he finally proposed!) and the past 2 times we have had sex I bleed afterwards. Not like a period bleed but there is noticable blood after I use the bathroom and it stops within the hour. The 1st and 2nd times we had sex I didn't bleed afterwards but they were short/quick sessions. The 3rd and 4th times we have had sex they were longer and more intense sessions. I read an article that said that this bleeding could be the cause of an infection. I called my Gyno and she said that I need to come in and be seen and I do have my yearly appointment next week, so that is good.

My question is that will this bleeding make my pills less effective? Could this be breakthrough bleeding? Even if there is an infection, will my pills be less effective? I have no other pains, cramping, or anything. I did check my cervix and the blood doesn't seem to be coming from there but I don't know for sure. Now I did just finish my period last saturday (July 24th) and had sex July 25th and 28th. Could that be the cause?

Thanks so much for your responses!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 10:41am
I can't say what might be causing the bleeding, checking with your doctor is a very good idea!

Bleeding between periods will not *cause* your pills to be less effective at preventing pregnancy. Birth control pills stop ovulation, and also cause other changes to help prevent fertilization should ovulation occur (very rare). Bleeding control is a separate mechanism & seems to be the difficult thing for your pills to achieve. I'd say the bleeding that you're experiencing (after sex) isn't even really a by-product of your pill, but something else going on..... your pregnancy protection should be in no way compromised!!!!

Good luck at the doctor's office, hopefully it is nothing serious!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 4:21pm
If I do have an infection...how could I have gotten one? I have no abnormal discharge, cramps, or anything like that. Any ideas?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 5:57pm
Bacteria normally lives in your vagina, but typically the population is controlled by either the pH of the vagina or the friendlies that also live in it. If your population of friendlies is low for some reason or the pH is off, that can allow the nasty bacteria to overgrow. Same thing happens with yeast infections, which are just an overgrowth of yeast.

I occasionally have postcoital bleeding. I never had it when I wasn't taking hormones, but I don't have it all the time either.

Get it checked out, it may be nothing, but it doesn't hurt to make sure!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 6:05pm
Hi klo1335, welcome!

I usually think of infections as involving, itching, or burning, and discharge of various colors, consistencies and odors. The occasion immediately after your period could have been a bit more of your flow dislodged from the movement of your uterus during IC. It's probably not serious but it's a good thing that you are going to have it checked out. You'll let us know how you're doing, right?

Good luck

      Jill