Postcoital bleeding

Postcoital bleeding
SpecialtyGynecology

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.[4] Postcoital bleeding can be one of the first indications of cervical cancer.[5][6] 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.[7] Postcoital bleeding may stop without treatment.[8] In some instances, postcoital bleeding may resemble menstrual irregularities.[9] 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.[10] Postcoital bleeding can be due to trauma after consensual and non-consensual sexual intercourse.[11][4]

A diagnosis to determine the cause will include obtaining a medical history and assessing the symptoms. Treatment is not always necessary.[12]

  1. ^ Ardestani, Shakiba; Dason, Ebernella Shirin; Sobel, Mara (11 September 2023). "Postcoital bleeding". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 195 (35): E1180. doi:10.1503/cmaj.230143. ISSN 1488-2329. PMC 10495171. PMID 37696551.
  2. ^ Smith, Roger P. (2023). "60. Postcoital bleeding". Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology: Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-0-443-10739-9.
  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. doi:10.11604/pamj.2016.23.131.9073. PMC 4885701. PMID 27279958.
  4. ^ a b Smith, Roger P. (2017-02-16). Netter's Obstetrics and Gynecology E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 9780323523509.
  5. ^ 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. PMC 1839021. PMID 16762128.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Choices, N. H. S. (2016-07-12). "Does a woman always bleed when she has sex for the first time? - Health questions - NHS Choices". Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  8. ^ 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. 120 (11): 1348–1355. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.12218. ISSN 1471-0528. PMID 23530690. S2CID 25418515.
  9. ^ Halpern, Vera; Raymond, Elizabeth G; Lopez, Laureen M (2014). "Repeated use of pre- and postcoital hormonal contraception for prevention of pregnancy". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014 (9): CD007595. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007595.pub3. PMC 7196890. PMID 25259677.
  10. ^ J., Cibulka, Nancy (2013). Guidelines for nurse practitioners in ambulatory obstetric settings. Barron, Mary Lee. New York: Springer Publishing Company. p. 240. ISBN 9780826195579. OCLC 841914663.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ 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 (in French). 23: 131. doi:10.11604/pamj.2016.23.131.9073. PMC 4885701. PMID 27279958.
  12. ^ Choices, N. H. S. (2018). "What causes a woman to bleed after sex? - Health questions - NHS Choices". Retrieved 2018-02-04.