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Women's Health

Bleeding during intercourse

02/08/2008

Question:

Recently, I starting bleeding during intercourse and I’m a little concerned. After months of going without, I have a new partner and I think that he may be the cause. He’s a little “large” and intercourse is sometimes painful. Since he’s the only partner that I’ve had this experience with, I’m not sure how worried I need to be?

Answer:

Bleeding can sometimes occur from a small tear or scrape where the vagina has been stretched during intercourse.  When intercourse has not occurred for a long period of time, the vagina may become less compliant, or "stretchable".  Usually, this problem will resolve with continued attempts at intercourse, although the use of lubricants or dilators and a generous amount of foreplay may be useful.  If you are older or if lubricants don't seem to be helping, a cream containing estrogen may help the vagina to be more compliant and less sensitive.

If bleeding during intercourse persists, however, it is important to have a pelvic examination to rule out a different cause.

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Response by:

The Ohio State University Jonathan A Schaffir, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University
Jonathan  A Schaffir, MD