Bleeding after intercourse -- please help??

[Altercation]

I'm a long time poster but this is such a personal question that I decided to use an alter. :o

I'll begin by saying that I have an OBGYN appointment tomorrow morning but I am nervous and hope some of you will have information/advice in the meantime.

I occasionally experience vaginal bleeding after having sex. Not just a little spotting, but enough to have to wear a "light-days" pad the next day. Today is the worst it's ever been. I've pretty much soaked 2 thin pads and passed more blood when urinating (the urine itself is not bloody). The blood is brighter red than typical menstrual blood. Some of it is just blood, and some seems to have mucus in it. (Gross, I know. Sorry.)

Other info:

-Menstrual cycles are normal. I usually have mild to moderate cramps but nothing drastic. Flow is not excessively heavy or light.
-I'm in my early 30's and otherwise healthy and fit.
-I've been married 5 years and both of us have been faithful.
-I often experience mild yeast-infection like or urinary tract infection-like symptoms like white or mucusy discharge and slight burning/itching. It seems worst right before my period and best right after my period. This has been going on for a couple years but has actually seemed better lately.
-Sex is sometimes mildly uncomfortable (achy or stinging).
-I don't always bleed afterwards, especially not enough to need a pad the next day. This is only about the 3rd time this has happened that I can remember.
-I rarely experience spotting at other times.
-I don't use tampons and never have.
-I am not on birth control and haven't been for 2.5 years. Before that, I was on the pill for about 6 years.
-Right now I feel a teensy bit achy and itchy "down there," but nothing severe.

Can anyone help??

[Robyn1007]

I am really glad you've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I don't really have any advice to offer as there are so many things, both scary and not, that could be causing this but I wanted to give you a virtual hug and remind you that we're all here for you.

[wallycat]

I know there are gyns on this BB and I hope they post.

It could be anything at this point (I'm not a doctor)...
from friable cervix to hormone issues not completely ridding you of your lining to the worst one I am sure you are thinking. If you are thinning, this could simply be thin tissue that needs lubrication---especially as you said it can be painful ...TELL them that and take care of that while you're there too!!!

I used to spot ALL the time for decades....EVERY time....and they did a biopsy that was b-9. Then one day it just stopped.

I will say that uterine cancer is one of the slowest growing and if caught early has a nearly 100% survival....
so glad you are going. Take a deep breath and try not to imagine anything horrible (yes, I know this is pointless to even type).

Best to you!!!

[Jalapeno]

I found this on webmd

Infection of the pelvic organs (******, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries) may cause vaginal bleeding, especially after intercourse or douching.

You could just have an infection. Try not to worry until you have a reason to worry...I know how hard this is. I had an abnormal pap a couple of months ago and am now undergoing treatment. I know how COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT I was when I knew something wasn't right but didn't know exactly what was wrong. Try your best to keep yourself distracted tonight, I know that will be hard too.

Like Robyn said we are all here for you. Please update us after you see your Dr. tomorrow. I will be praying for a good outcome for you!

Robin

[ChristyMarie]

The mucus makes me think you are approaching or at ovulation and your cervix is all nice and enlarged and being bumped a little too much.

Hope your appt goes well and you get some answers!

[Altercation]

Thanks, ladies. Your replies really do help.

I'm trying hard not to worry about cancer. My risk should be quite low: no family history of cancer, I'm young and have never been overweight, I've never smoked or lived with smokers, I've only been in 2 relationships and both were monogamous (though DH had 5 partners before we were together), I eat lots of produce and little meat, I get lots of exercise, etc. I am concerned about those 6 years on birth control, though.

My research so far indicates that although post coital bleeding is a symptom of cervical cancer, cancer is rarely the cause. There are a lot of other things that could be responsible for these symptoms. So, I'm trying to hang onto that...

[Meganator]

Have you been having annual Paps? My anecdotal knowledge, FWIW, is that in the course of a year abnormal cells can develop, but it would be rare to actually develop cervical cancer in that year. I hope the dr can set your mind at ease tomorrow - good luck.

[Altercation]

Have you been having annual Paps? My anecdotal knowledge, FWIW, is that in the course of a year abnormal cells can develop, but it would be rare to actually develop cervical cancer in that year.


I haven't had a Pap in 3 years, since I went off the pill. :( Every three years is standard for women of my age, not on birth control, and in monogamous relationships, though, as I understand it.

[Meganator]

Every three years is standard for women of my age, not on birth control, and in monogamous relationships, though, as I understand it.

:confused: Really!? Please discuss this with your doctor tomorrow - I've never heard anything other than that every woman should have one annually. Just because a person is in a monogamous relationship doesn't mean that she didn't get HPV from a previous relationship, or that her husband didn't get HPV from a previous relationship. I'm not trying to frighten you or be argumentative, but I've had abnormal cells removed twice so I think I know of which I speak.

[Altercation]

:confused: Really!? Please discuss this with your doctor tomorrow - I've never heard anything other than that every woman should have one annually. Just because a person is in a monogamous relationship doesn't mean that she didn't get HPV from a previous relationship, or that her husband didn't get HPV from a previous relationship. I'm not trying to frighten you or be argumentative, but I've had abnormal cells removed twice so I think I know of which I speak.

You're right, I know. Last time I was in, my doc said I'm a good candidate for paps every 3 years and this matches some (not all) of the recommendations I can find online. That said, however, it does make sense to start having them annually considering the present situation.

[ljt2r]

:confused: Really!? Please discuss this with your doctor tomorrow - I've never heard anything other than that every woman should have one annually. Just because a person is in a monogamous relationship doesn't mean that she didn't get HPV from a previous relationship, or that her husband didn't get HPV from a previous relationship. I'm not trying to frighten you or be argumentative, but I've had abnormal cells removed twice so I think I know of which I speak.

Some health insurance companies only cover them every 2 years or not at all, which complicates matters. I support the notion of having them every year, but I skipped a year myself (for the first time ever) when I was faced with having to pay for it myself. :(

Just wanted to mention that while this does not sound like your issue (since it is happening a lot) I had severe post coital bleeding once from a otherwise totally symptom-less severe yeast infection. The skin was so dried out that the pressure of intercourse totally split the skin. :eek: :eek: I was very young and it was my first boyfriend and it was rather traumatic to say the least. So I sympathize and I would insist they test you for yeast and UTIs to make sure your bacterias (friendly and unfriendly) and yeast are all in balance.

[wallycat]

Yes, the pap smear in women who have had clean results for several years and are monogamous is correct....but the theory is you are still supposed to have a gyn exam (no pap) to have them feel the uterus and ovaries.

[Jalapeno]

Like I said I recently had an abnormal pap...I fall within those same categories but had they found this in 2 or 3 years I would have had cancer by then! They caught my abnormality at stage 1 at stage 5 it would have been cancer. I am only 33, I have always had a pap every year and this was the first time anything ever came back abnormal and I showed no symptoms at all.

[Jessnc]

I agree with the pap every year. I too had an abnormal pap 1 1/2 yrs ago and since my body has fought it off, but I still have to go every 6 months for a re-pap (they were doing ECC's every 6 mos - yowch!). Bad things can progress very quickly in a human body and I hope you consider getting a pap once a year.

No suggestions as to what may be bothering you. I hope all goes well at you Dr's appt tomorrow and I'll hope for fast results!

[Debralynn]

I have suffered from post coital bleeding on and off for the past six years. I have had every test and biopsy that they can do. Everything is NORMAL, I just bleed. :rolleyes: I haev had second and third opinions, ultrasounds, cryosurgery, paps, blood test and many more tests. Thank God everything keeps coming out normal. So I finally found one person in this world who thinks I'm normal!!! My OB-GYN!!!!! :D I never share such personal information, but feel that this may help you and others who do not wish to discuss it, to at least learn that you are not alone on this one. Good luck with your appointment. Debralynn :o

[PAMMELA]

I also had abnormal cells removed back in 1994. I then had to have a pap every 6 months for 2 years and now I have one annually. My understanding was that every 2 years was permissable in certain circumstances, but i've never heard of every 3 years. We who have had some type of surgery for abnormal cell removal will have to have a pap annually forever (per my Dr.).

Also, addressing your comment that being on the pill for 6 years makes you worried, I've been on the pill now for albout 19 years and have had no problems and my doctor suggests that if i'm not having children then I can just stay on it. And I love being on BC because I'm so regular and I had had very heaving bleeding and cramping before getting on the pill.

Good luck to you!

[Altercation]

Thanks so much to all who have shared their knowledge and stories. It really does help.

So I went to the gynecologist this morning. They'd screwed up scheduling and not booked me enough time for a full exam, but it turns out that's okay because they wouldn't have done my pap anyway due to all the blood. Apparently, too much blood will make the pap come up abnormal whether there's anything wrong or not, which sets you up for 1.5 years of tests. :eek: So, best not to do that until the bleeding stops.

Anyway, a visual exam revealed an apparent abrasion on my cervix. The doc said that if it was anywhere else, it would be the kind of thing you'd just ignore and wait for normal healing. Just in case, she cultured it. She said there's no evidence at this point of the problem being anything really scary, and if cervical cancer was the culprit she would probably not be able to identify an actual abrasion.

The way she described it, I think there's a possiblity of if being a endocervical polyp (almost always benign). It could also be simply ectropion, which is normal and nothing to worry about, but may cause post-coital bleeding.

Now I just wait for the bleeding to stop so I can be a good girl and go in for my annual exam. Yes, I'll go annually. Promise. :o :)

Oh, and I wait for the lab results. :(

[PAMMELA]

Ok, that sounds like good news so far! Please keep us posted.

[TKay]

I'm glad the doc gave you good news so far. Here's to the results of the pap being good as well. Keep us posted.

[Debralynn]

Sounds like you are in good hands wtih your ob-gyn! Take care and try not to worry! :) Debralynn

[mbrogier]

You should get tested for HPV when you go back in for your pap. Men can carry HPV from a previously infected partner and carry it for years. My mom had HPV and had a severe infection from it that scarred her fallopian tubes. She was never able to have children because the scarring was so severe.

I have been tested for HPV. I was molested as a child by a pediatrician that was filling in for my regular ped. I went in for a sick visit and was molested while I was delirious from fever. Since I had so many gyn issues, my gyn tested me for HPV before they did a hysterectomy.

I have always had dryness issues. I also have urinary issues. KY Jelly is not that good for you. Astroglide doesn't cause as much burning.

[ljt2r]

You should get tested for HPV when you go back in for your pap. Men can carry HPV from a previously infected partner and carry it for years. My mom had HPV and had a severe infection from it that scarred her fallopian tubes. She was never able to have children because the scarring was so severe.

I have been tested for HPV. I was molested as a child by a pediatrician that was filling in for my regular ped. I went in for a sick visit and was molested while I was delirious from fever. Since I had so many gyn issues, my gyn tested me for HPV before they did a hysterectomy.

I have always had dryness issues. I also have urinary issues. KY Jelly is not that good for you. Astroglide doesn't cause as much burning.

I literally felt my stomach heave reading your story. I am so sorry and that is so awful.

Laura