Postcoital bleeding explained

Postcoital bleeding
Field:Gynecology

Postcoital bleeding (PCB) is non-menstrual vaginal bleeding that occurs during or after sexual intercourse.[1] Though some causes are with associated pain, it is typically painless and frequently associated with intermenstrual bleeding.[2] [3]

The bleeding can be from the uterus, cervix, vagina and other tissue or organs located near the vagina. Postcoital bleeding can be one of the first indications of cervical cancer.[4] There are other reasons why vaginal bleeding may occur after intercourse. Some people will bleed after intercourse for the first time but others will not. The hymen may bleed if it is stretched since it is thin tissue. Other activities may have an effect on the vagina such as sports and tampon use.[5] Postcoital bleeding may stop without treatment.[6] In some instances, postcoital bleeding may resemble menstrual irregularities.[7] Postcoital bleeding may occur throughout pregnancy. The presence of cervical polyps may result in postcoital bleeding during pregnancy because the tissue of the polyps is more easily damaged.[8] Postcoital bleeding can be due to trauma after consensual and non-consensual sexual intercourse.[9] [10]

A diagnosis to determine the cause will include obtaining a medical history and assessing the symptoms. Treatment is not always necessary.[11]

Causes

Vaginal bleeding after sex is a symptom that can indicate:

Bleeding from hemorrhoids and vulvar lesions can be mistaken for postcoital bleeding. Post coital bleeding can occur with discharge, itching, or irritation. This may be due to Trichomonas or Candida.[14] A lack of estrogen can make vaginal tissue thinner and more susceptible to bleeding. Some have proposed that birth control pills may cause postcoital bleeding.[15]

Risk factors for developing postcoital bleeding are: low estrogen levels, rape and 'rough sex'.

Diagnosis and treatment

Tests and detailed examination are used to determine the cause of the bleeding:

A referral may be made to a specialist.[16] Imaging may not be necessary. Cryotherapy has been used but is not recommended.

Epidemiology

Postcoital bleeding rarely is associated with gynecological cancer in young women and its incidence is projected to drop due to the widespread immunizations against HPV. Postcoital bleeding has been most studied in women in the US. In a large Taiwanese study, the overall incidence of postcoital bleeding was found to be 39-59 per 100,000 women. Those with postcoital bleeding had a higher risk of cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer. Benign causes of postcoital bleeding were associated with cervical erosion, ectropion, vaginitis and vulvovaginitis. Other associations were noted such as the presence of leukoplakia of the cervix, an intrauterine contraceptive device, cervical polyps, cervicitis, menopause, dyspareunia, and vulvodynia.[17] In Scotland approximately 1 in 600 women aged 20–24 experience unexplained bleeding. A study of African women found that trauma from consensual sexual intercourse was a cause of postcoital bleeding in young women.

In society and culture

Hymenorrhaphy is a controversial procedure to surgically repair a damaged hymen, thus restoring the appearance of virginity:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Ardestani . Shakiba . Dason . Ebernella Shirin . Sobel . Mara . Postcoital bleeding . Canadian Medical Association Journal . 11 September 2023 . 195 . 35 . E1180 . 10.1503/cmaj.230143 . 37696551 . 10495171 . 1488-2329. free .
  2. Book: Smith . Roger P. . Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology: Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology . 2023 . Elsevier . Philadelphia . 978-0-443-10739-9 . 139–140 . 4th . https://books.google.com/books?id=COK2EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA139 . en . 60. Postcoital bleeding .
  3. Boukhanni. Lahssen. Dhibou. Hanane. Zilfi. Wafaa. Housseini. Kawtar Iraki. Benkeddour. Yasser Ait. Aboulfalah. Abderrahim. Asmouki. Hamid. Soummani. Abderraouf. 2016-03-25. Les hémorragies post coïtales: à propos de 68 cas et revue de literature. The Pan African Medical Journal. 23. 131. 10.11604/pamj.2016.23.131.9073. 4885701. 27279958.
  4. Shapley. Mark. Jordan. Joanne. Croft. Peter R. 2006-06-01. A systematic review of postcoital bleeding and risk of cervical cancer. The British Journal of General Practice. 56. 527. 453–460. 1839021. 16762128.
  5. Web site: Does a woman always bleed when she has sex for the first time? - Health questions - NHS Choices. Choices. N. H. S.. 2016-07-12. 2018-02-04.
  6. Shapley. M. Blagojevic-Bucknall. M. Jordan. Kp. Croft. Pr. 2013-10-01. The epidemiology of self-reported intermenstrual and postcoital bleeding in the perimenopausal years. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. en. 120. 11. 1348–1355. 10.1111/1471-0528.12218. 23530690. 25418515. 1471-0528. free.
  7. Repeated use of pre- and postcoital hormonal contraception for prevention of pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 9. Halpern. Vera. Raymond. Elizabeth G. Lopez. Laureen M. 2014. 2014 . CD007595. en. 10.1002/14651858.cd007595.pub3. 25259677. 7196890.
  8. Book: J., Cibulka, Nancy. Guidelines for nurse practitioners in ambulatory obstetric settings. 2013. Springer Publishing Company. Barron, Mary Lee.. 9780826195579. New York. 240. 841914663.
  9. Boukhanni. Lahssen. Dhibou. Hanane. Zilfi. Wafaa. Housseini. Kawtar Iraki. Benkeddour. Yasser Ait. Aboulfalah. Abderrahim. Asmouki. Hamid. Soummani. Abderraouf. 2016. Les hémorragies post coïtales: à propos de 68 cas et revue de littérature. Pan African Medical Journal. fr. 23. 131. 10.11604/pamj.2016.23.131.9073. 27279958. 4885701.
  10. Book: Smith, Roger P.. Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology E-Book. 2017-02-16. Elsevier Health Sciences. 9780323523509. en.
  11. Web site: What causes a woman to bleed after sex? - Health questions - NHS Choices. Choices. N. H. S.. 2018. 2018-02-04.
  12. Book: Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine E-Book. Walker. Brian R.. Colledge. Nicki R.. 2013-12-06. Elsevier Health Sciences. 9780702051036. en.
  13. Book: Hutchison's Clinical Methods, An Integrated Approach to Clinical Practice With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access,23: Hutchison's Clinical Methods. Drake. William M.. Hutchison. Robert. 2012-01-01. Elsevier Health Sciences. 978-0702040917. en.
  14. Web site: Postcoital Bleeding in a Premenopausal Patient. www.medscape.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20020415190326/http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/412468. 2002-04-15. dead. 2018-02-04.
  15. Web site: Clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of young women aged 20-24 with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Health. Department of. 2010-03-03. 2018-02-04. bot: unknown. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101110212848/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_113478. 2010-11-10.
  16. Web site: Postcoital bleeding. Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. en-US. 2018-02-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20200128200955/https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/postcoital-bleeding-query-bank/. 2020-01-28. dead.
  17. Liu. Hsin-Li. Chen. Chuan-Mei. Pai. Lee-Wen. Hwu. Yueh-Juen. Lee. Horng-Mo. Chung. Yueh-Chin. 2017-04-01. Comorbidity profiles among women with postcoital bleeding: a nationwide health insurance database. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. en. 295. 4. 935–941. 10.1007/s00404-017-4327-7. 28246983. 8994475. 0932-0067.

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