If you are in the throes of passion and suddenly you spy spots of blood on the bed sheets, it can be alarming and a bit embarrassing if you're in a new relationship. Have you cut yourself? Did you miscalculate your period date? No, so why are you bleeding? Bleeding during sex an be unexpected and unnerving in equal measures - but there are a number of reasons this could be happening and it's unlikely to be anything serious, so try not to worry. The most important thing is to always get checked out by your doctor if something is amiss. We ask the experts about common reasons for bleeding during sex and what to do if you're worried:. According to research , nine per cent of women experience unexpected spotting or bleeding either during or after sex, and as many as 63 percent of postmenopausal women, so if you do notice a few worrying spots of blood on the bed sheets, you are not alone. But it's important to say that if you do experience vaginal bleeding, you shouldn't just ignore it.


Causes of bleeding after sex

Why are you bleeding during sex?
Emma Kaywin, a Brooklyn-based sexual health writer and activist, is here to calm your nerves and answer your questions. No gender, sexual orientation, or question is off limits, and all questions will remain anonymous. Please send your questions to tips bustle.
Tests and examinations
Sex is messy, thanks to all the bodily fluids involved. But blood should not be on that list of bodily fluids making a regular appearance in the bedroom. Vaginal bleeding during sex is sometimes NBD, but other times it can be a sign of a health problem—like an infection or even cancer—that needs to be addressed. Anal is a topic for another day. Ross, M. They may not always be painful, but they can cause more than just one errant drop of blood. Midcycle spotting can happen when you're ovulating, and that's totally normal, especially for women taking hormonal birth control. Again, it's more likely if the sex is rough. You have to be the judge of that. Moritz also adds that younger women have more sensitive cervices that can bleed easily from something like rough sex or even a procedure like a Pap smear.
If you've ever started bleeding after sex, you may have chalked it up to getting your period. And it turns out, there may be some logic to that thought. Of course, there's a catch. Lauren Streicher , an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, told INSIDER that it only occurs if you're within a day or two of getting your period. Most of the time, starting your period soon after sex is just a coincidence. T here are a lot of other reasons that you could bleed after intercourse that are important to be aware of because some could require medical attention. Here are the most common. Vaginal tears are a common reason for bleeding after sex.