home Diseases Bleeding from the vagina: causes, how to stop heavy bleeding, signs, treatment. Why does blood appear from the vagina during intercourse?

Bleeding from the vagina: causes, how to stop heavy bleeding, signs, treatment. Why does blood appear from the vagina during intercourse?

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Causes of bleeding

Bloody issues from the vagina is the general name for a large group symptoms, occurring in women in various situations and for various reasons. Thus, spotting can appear in different phases of the menstrual cycle, last for different periods of time, have variable intensity, etc. Each condition is characterized by bloody vaginal discharge with strictly defined characteristics that allow the doctor to distinguish one disease from another.

Let's look at the causes of the most common types of vaginal bleeding in women.

Any spotting that appears in the interval between two regular menstruation, that is, in the middle, beginning or second half of the cycle, can be caused by the following possible reasons:

The above possible reasons for the appearance of bloody discharge from the vagina are physiological, that is, they are a response to various changes in the functioning mechanism of the female body.

However, in addition to physiological, there are also pathological reasons for the appearance of bloody discharge from the vagina, when this symptom indicates any disease that a woman has.

The pathological causes of long-term or frequently recurring bleeding (heavy or scanty) in the interval between two menstrual bleedings are the following diseases:

1. Gynecological diseases:

Polyps of the uterine cavity or cervix;
Various types of uterine fibroids;
Cancer of the female genital organs (uterus, cervix, vagina or ovaries);
Chronic infections of the female genital area (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, trichomoniasis, etc.).

2. Hormonal imbalance:

increased levels of prolactin in the blood;
low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism);
increased levels of sex hormones in the blood.

3. Instability in the work and coordination of the mechanisms that regulate the onset of ovulation and the production of sex hormones by the ovaries. According to the old terminology, such spotting in women was called dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Most often they develop in girls under 20 years of age or in women over 45 years of age, since it is in these age categories that instability of the regulatory systems and mechanisms that control the menstrual cycle appears.

In addition to the above-mentioned causes of bloody vaginal discharge associated with the female genital area, there are a number of factors that can provoke this symptom. However, these factors are not associated with female genitalia. So, non-gynecological causes of vaginal bleeding are the following factors:
1. Pathology of the blood coagulation system;
2. Taking medications that affect blood clotting (for example, Warfarin, Heparin, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, antidepressants, etc.).

Since the causes of vaginal bleeding are highly variable, if they occur, you should consult a doctor and do not try to figure out the problem yourself.

Which doctor should I contact if I have bloody discharge?

If bloody discharge from the vagina appears in any quantity, of any shade, combined with any other symptoms, you should contact gynecologist (make an appointment). If we are talking about a girl or a teenager, then you need to contact a pediatric gynecologist.

Although spotting from the vagina can be caused not only by gynecological diseases, but also by pathology of blood clotting, however, despite this, you should always contact a gynecologist first. After all, gynecological diseases are much more likely to cause bleeding from the vagina than pathologies of the blood coagulation system. And if the gynecologist, after examination, finds out that the cause of bleeding is a pathology of the blood coagulation system, he will refer the woman to hematologist (make an appointment).

What tests can doctors prescribe for bloody discharge?

Bloody vaginal discharge can be caused by relatively harmless and life-threatening diseases. Potentially safe diseases are those that cannot lead to death within a short period of time in the absence of qualified medical care. Diseases that, without medical attention, can lead to the death of a woman literally within the next few hours or days are considered dangerous.

Accordingly, if there are signs of dangerous diseases, a woman should immediately call an ambulance and be hospitalized. And for relatively safe causes of vaginal bleeding, you should routinely visit a gynecologist and undergo all the necessary examinations and tests that the doctor prescribes.

Distinctive signs of dangerous bleeding from the vagina are their intensification over time, combination with severe pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, increased body temperature, a sharp deterioration in general well-being after the onset of discharge, paleness, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. With relatively safe bleeding, a woman’s well-being never deteriorates sharply, quickly, suddenly and very strongly, so much so that she literally faints and is unable to move, perform conscious actions, etc.

Thus, it is obvious that we will consider what tests a doctor may order for bloody vaginal discharge in relation only to relatively harmless conditions.

If a woman experiences a small amount of bleeding exactly in the middle of the menstrual cycle, then the doctor will not prescribe any examinations or tests, since this situation is considered ovulatory bleeding and is considered normal. That is, during the period of ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), a woman may experience scanty bleeding from the vagina, which lasts from several hours to two days. Ovulatory bleeding can be so scanty that it looks more like bleeding.

If a woman has scanty spotting in the second half of the cycle (between ovulation and the next menstruation), and unprotected sexual intercourse took place in the same cycle, then the doctor will first of all prescribe blood test for hCG (sign up), and after 4 – 5 days and Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (sign up), since this situation most closely resembles implantation bleeding at the very beginning of pregnancy, when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.

If a woman is pregnant, but the period is short (up to 12 weeks), then the appearance of spotting may indicate an incipient miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. In such a situation, the gynecologist prescribes, first of all, an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, which makes it possible to differentiate an intrauterine pregnancy from an ectopic one. If, according to the results of an ultrasound, the pregnancy is ectopic, the doctor may additionally perform a puncture through the posterior vaginal fornix to confirm the diagnosis made by ultrasound. Further, if an ectopic pregnancy is detected, the woman is urgently prepared for surgery. If, according to the results of the ultrasound, it was possible to find out that the pregnancy is uterine, but unstable, since a miscarriage occurs in the process, the doctor may additionally prescribe a general blood test, a general urinalysis, a coagulogram, blood test for progesterone (sign up) and hCG, as well as a number of tests for sexually transmitted infections ( chlamydia (sign up), mycoplasmosis (sign up), gardnerellosis, gonorrhea (sign up), trichomoniasis, candidiasis, ureaplasmosis (sign up)).

If bloody vaginal discharge appears in a woman in late pregnancy, the doctor urgently prescribes only a general blood test, Rh factor test (sign up) And blood type (sign up), and urgently begins treatment, since such symptoms, starting from the 20th week of pregnancy, always indicate the development of life-threatening diseases for the mother and fetus, such as placental abruption, premature birth, etc.

If a woman has a metal or plastic non-hormonal intrauterine device, and periodically, after the end of menstruation, there is scanty bleeding from the vagina for several days, then the doctor prescribes only an ultrasound and flora smear (sign up), to be on the safe side, since such a condition is the norm for this type of contraceptives.

If a woman has bloody vaginal discharge between menstruation and is wearing a hormonal intrauterine device (for example, Mirena), then the doctor also prescribes only a smear for flora and an ultrasound, since this condition is a variant of the norm.

If a woman has mild bleeding or spotting, then first of all the doctor examines and evaluates the condition of the cervix and vagina. If the cervix is damaged (for example, erosion or any bleeding formation is visible), the doctor must prescribe a smear for the flora, as well as colposcopy (make an appointment) And cervical smear for cytology (make an appointment). In addition, if there is erosion or inflammation on the cervix, the doctor may prescribe tests for the presence of

Abnormal vaginal bleeding includes:

menstruation that is excessively heavy (menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea) or too frequent (polymenorrhea);
bleeding that is not associated with menstruation, occurring irregularly between menstruation (metrorrhagia);
bleeding that is excessive during menstruation and occurs irregularly between periods (menometrorrhagia);
postmenopausal bleeding (i.e. more than 6 months after the cessation of the last menstruation.

Vaginal bleeding can also happen early in pregnancy or later in pregnancy.

Most abnormal vaginal bleeding is associated with:

with hormonal disorders in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system (the most common cause);
structural, inflammatory or other gynecological diseases (for example, tumors);
bleeding disorders (rare).

With hormonal disorders, ovulation does not occur or occurs infrequently. During anovulation, the corpus luteum is not formed and, therefore, the normal cyclic secretion of progesterone does not occur. Without progesterone, estrogen stimulates endometrial proliferation, increasing its blood supply. The endometrium then sheds unevenly and bleeds, sometimes for a long time.

Common Causes of Vaginal Bleeding in Children

Foreign body
Vulvovaginitis
Trauma, related or unrelated to sexual violence
Precocious puberty
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Hemorrhagic diathesis
Tumors
Urethral prolapse
Exposure to exogenous sex hormones

The reasons for adults and children may be different.

In general, the main causes in adult women who are not pregnant are as follows:

complications of early undiagnosed pregnancy;
anovulatory bleeding;
submucosal fibroid;
mid-cycle bleeding associated with ovulation;
breakthrough bleeding when taking contraceptives.

Foreign body- A common cause of vaginal bleeding in children. Bleeding with foul-smelling discharge is suspicious for a vaginal foreign body. Ultrasound is often helpful. The diagnosis is confirmed by vaginoscopy. Flushing with liquid often removes the foreign body and corrects the problem.

Poor hygiene often predisposes to recurrent vulvovaginitis. Adequate advice regarding personal hygiene is required.

Most injuries to the genital area occur accidentally (unintentionally). However, if vaginal trauma is suspected, the possibility of sexual assault should be considered. Blunt trauma causes hematoma formation. A small vaginal hematoma can be treated with local pressure. The use of analgesics is recommended.

Penetrating vaginal trauma requires a very careful examination and serious consideration of the possibility of child sexual abuse. If you suspect sexual abuse, you must urgently contact the hospital pediatricians. If necessary, other services are involved - the police and social services. If sexual abuse is suspected, the child should be evaluated by a pediatrician who specializes in child sexual abuse to gather information with minimal discomfort to the child.

In little girls, vaginal bleeding is the first manifestation premature puberty. This is discussed in detail in the corresponding section.

Two common reasons hemorrhagic cystitis- adenoviral infection and toxic effects of drugs (cyclophosphamide). Common clinical signs are sterile hematuria, dysuria, and urinary urgency. The viral infection resolves on its own, and drug toxicity disappears after discontinuation of the drug.

Blood diseases. For diagnosis, a detailed history and general examination with a detailed blood test and screening tests of the coagulation system are used. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Blood diseases in children that may cause vaginal bleeding

Urethral prolapse is a known cause of urethral bleeding, although rare. It is characterized by prolapse of the mucous membrane through the urethra in the form of a bleeding formation in the vulva area. With a large “formation”, dysuria occurs. Topical application of estrogens often helps.

Benign and malignant tumors vulva are manifested by vaginal bleeding. Botryoid sarcoma is a vaginal cancer that occurs primarily in girls under 2 years of age (90% under 5 years of age). Mesonephric cancer usually affects girls over 3 years of age. Clear cell adenocarcinoma is often associated with antenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol. If any of these diseases are suspected, urgent referral to a pediatric oncologist is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, treatment and counseling.

Capillary venous malformation of the labia majora has been described as a cause of vaginal bleeding in children. Differential diagnosis - between capillary hemangioma and other vascular malformations. The malformation is locally excised.

Diagnosis of vaginal bleeding

Unknown pregnancy should be suspected in women of childbearing age because some causes of bleeding during pregnancy (eg, ectopic pregnancy) are life-threatening.

Story. The history of the present illness should include the quantity (number of pads used per day or per hour) and duration of bleeding, as well as the relationship of bleeding to menstruation. Menstrual function needs to be assessed; including date of last normal menstrual period, age of menarche and menopause, length and regularity of cycle, amount and duration of menstrual bleeding, previous episodes of abnormal bleeding, including frequency, duration, volume and pattern of bleeding.

Review. Symptoms to look for include missed periods, breast swelling, and nausea (pregnancy-related bleeding); abdominal pain, dizziness and fainting (ectopic pregnancy or ruptured ovarian cyst), chronic pain and weight loss (cancer); and easy bruising, bleeding gums when brushing teeth, minor wounds or venipuncture (impaired hemostasis).

Medical history should reveal the cause of bleeding, including recent spontaneous or induced abortions and structural abnormalities (eg, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts). Doctors should identify risk factors for endometrial cancer, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and long-term use of estrogens without progesterone) and polycystic ovary syndrome. Specific questions about hormone use should be included earlier.

Physical examination. Consider signs of hypovolemia (eg, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension).

During the general examination, doctors should look for signs of anemia (such as pale conjunctiva) and signs of possible causes of bleeding, which include:

warm and moist or dry skin, visual disturbances, tremors, impaired reflexes, goiter (thyroid disease);
hepatomegaly, jaundice, asterixis, splenomegaly (liver disease);
discharge from the nipple (hyperprolactinemia);
low body mass index and loss of subcutaneous fat (possibly anovulation)
High body mass index and excess subcutaneous fat;
hirsutism, acne, obesity and enlarged ovaries;
easily formed bruises, petechiae, purpura, bleeding of mucous membranes, for example, gums (impaired hemostasis);
in children, the development of mammary glands and the presence of pubic and axillary hair (puberty).

The abdomen is examined for distension, tenderness, and the presence of masses (in particular, an enlarged uterus). If the uterus is enlarged, you should listen to the fetal heartbeat.

A complete gynecological examination is carried out in all cases except late pregnancy; in the latter case, bimanual examination is contraindicated until the location of the placenta has been established. In all other cases, speculum examination helps in identifying lesions of the urethra, vagina and cervix. A bimanual examination is performed to assess the size of the uterus and ovaries. If there is no blood in the vagina, a rectal examination is necessary to determine whether gastrointestinal problems are causing the bleeding.

Warning signs. The following signs are of particular concern:

hemorrhagic shock (tachycardia, hypotension);
perimenarchal and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding;
vaginal bleeding in pregnant women.

Interpretation of symptoms. Significant hypovolemia or hemorrhagic shock is unlikely unless there is a disrupted ectopic pregnancy or, less commonly, rupture of an ovarian cyst (especially in the presence of a tender pelvic mass).

In children, breast development and growth of pubic and axillary hair suggest precocious puberty and premature menstruation. In the absence of these signs, the possibility of sexual abuse should be assessed unless easily explained lesions or foreign bodies are present.

In women of reproductive age, gynecological or other pathological lesions may be detected that indicate the cause of bleeding. If young patients on hormone therapy do not have obvious abnormalities, the bleeding is likely related to the hormone therapy. If the problem is only excessive menstrual bleeding, causes such as uterine pathology or bleeding diathesis need to be considered. Inherited disorders of hemostasis may initially manifest as heavy menstrual bleeding at menarche or during adolescence.

In postmenopausal women, cancer should be suspected.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, the most common cause in the reproductive years, is a diagnosis of exclusion after other causes have been ruled out; Additional testing is usually required.

Study. All women of reproductive age should take a urine pregnancy test.

In the early stages of pregnancy (up to 5 weeks), a urine pregnancy test may not give a positive result. Contamination of urine with blood may give an incorrect result. A serum test for the β-hCG subunit ((5-hCG) should be performed if the urine test is negative but pregnancy is suspected.

Testing should include a complete blood count if bleeding is more than usual (eg, more than 1 pad or tampon per hour) or lasts for several days, or if anemia or hypovolemia is suspected. If anemia is detected that is not clearly related to iron deficiency (as indicated by microcytic and erythrocyte indices), it is necessary to test the level of iron in the blood.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin levels are routinely measured, even if galactorrhea is not present.

If a hemostatic disorder is suspected, von Willebrand factor, platelet count, PT and PTT should be determined.

If you suspect a symptom of polycystic ovaries, you need to establish the level of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA).

Imaging includes transvaginal ultrasound if:

woman >35 years old,
there are risk factors for endometrial cancer,
bleeding continues despite hormone therapy.

Local endometrial thickening detected on ultrasound may require hysteroscopy or sonohysterography to identify small intrauterine masses (eg, endometrial polyp, fibroid).

Other tests include analysis of an endometrial sample and ultrasound in women over 35 years of age who are at risk of cancer or endometrial thickening of more than 4 mm. Endometrial sampling can be done by aspiration or, if the cervical canal requires dilatation, by curettage.

Treatment of vaginal bleeding

Hemorrhagic shock is treated. Women with iron deficiency anemia may require supplemental iron supplementation.

The choice of treatment for vaginal bleeding depends on the cause.

Basics of Geriatrics

Postmenopausal bleeding (more than 6 months after the onset of menopause) is abnormal and requires further evaluation to rule out cancer.

In women not taking exogenous hormones, the most common cause of postmenopausal bleeding is atrophy of the endometrium or vaginal lining. In some older women, examination of the vagina may be difficult due to a lack of estrogen, which leads to increased fragility of the mucous membrane and stenosis. For such patients, examination using a pediatric speculum may be more comfortable.

Bleeding after intimacy is a pathological condition that most often indicates health problems. Bleeding can be understood as either blood smearing or profuse, breakthrough bleeding from the genitals of a woman or man. In most cases, blood appears in women after sexual intercourse. There can be many reasons: from problems in the sexual sphere to oncological processes in the organs of the genitourinary and reproductive systems.

If the desire for intimacy was not mutual, drops of blood may appear due to insufficient vaginal lubrication and damage to the vaginal walls. When bleeding is accompanied by nagging pain, painful urination and other pathological signs, the causes may be more serious. In women this may be a manifestation endometriosis, erosive lesions of the cervix,inflammation of the appendages. In men, blood after intercourse often indicates damage to the frenulum, inflammation of the urethra and/or malignant lesions of the spermatic cord or seminal vesicles. Even if there are no other symptoms, but after sex there is blood, you need to see gynecologist(for men - urologist or andrologist).

If a woman is healthy, but after intimacy she notices drops of blood on her underwear, there may be several reasons. The most common of them is vaginal dysbiosis, which disrupts the acidity of the vaginal environment and reduces the number of beneficial lactobacilli. Lactic bacteria (Lactobacillaceae) maintain an optimal level of moisture in the vagina, ensure the production of vaginal lubrication when a woman is aroused, and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

If the number of lactic acid bacteria decreases, a woman experiences discomfort and burning during intimacy. Blood in vaginal dysbiosis can appear as a result of intense friction of the penis against the vaginal walls, on which microcracks and abrasions appear. The partner also experiences discomfort at this time. After intimacy is completed, a few drops of blood may also appear on the man’s genitals.

Note! The reason for the lack of lubrication is not always a violation of the vaginal microflora. A woman may not be sufficiently excited or emotionally constrained. Little lubrication is released even if a woman does not trust her partner, so there is no need to rush into sexual relations unless there is complete mutual understanding and trust.

What to do?

To maintain an optimal balance of microorganisms in the vagina, it is necessary to follow the rules of intimate hygiene, change underwear daily, and refuse to purchase panties and bras made of synthetic fabrics. Nutrition is also of great importance. The diet should include a lot of fruits, herbs, vegetable salads, and fresh berries. Every day you need to consume fermented milk products: cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, kefir, bifidok.

To restore the balance of beneficial bacteria and prevent dysbiosis, you can use preparations containing lacto- and bifidobacteria. These can be capsules, vaginal suppositories, tablets, cream for application to the external genitalia. The means of this group include:

"Bifidumbacterin" (suppositories and capsules);
"Normobakt" (powder);
“Vagisil” (wipes, cream and gel for intimate hygiene);
"Acipol" (capsules);
"Acilact" (vaginal suppositories).

To improve sensations during sex and reduce discomfort, it is recommended to use condoms and lubricants, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Effect of alcohol

A small amount of blood after sex may also appear if the person drank alcoholic beverages shortly before intimacy, especially if their strength exceeded 12%. Any strong alcohol dilates blood vessels, including those of the genital organs. If a man’s actions were too active or harsh, small capillaries are easily injured and rupture. Bleeding in this case is not profuse and is not accompanied by fever, pain or other pathological symptoms.

To avoid this problem, it is better to give up alcohol if you plan to have sexual intercourse in the next 24 hours. If a feast cannot be avoided, you need to know the acceptable levels of alcohol that have minimal harmful effects on the body.

Drink	Maximum daily value for women (ml)	Maximum daily intake for men (ml)
White wine	150	180
Red wine	180	220
Vodka	40	70
Cognac	30	50
Liquor	80	100

Important! Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol before sex unless the partners use condoms or other methods of contraception. If pregnancy occurs when one of the partners was intoxicated, the likelihood of birth defects in the fetus will be several times higher.

Video - Why does blood bleed after sex?

Blood after intercourse is an early sign of pregnancy

If a woman begins to notice a bloody smear on her underwear, accompanied by tingling above the pubic bone and nagging pain in the lumbar area and lower abdomen, the cause may be pregnancy. This situation is especially typical for women with irregular periods who cannot notice the delay in time. Drops of blood, if a woman is pregnant, may appear during the attachment of a fertilized egg to the body of the uterus or when there is a threat of interruption. In rare cases, a miscarriage can occur in the very early stages of pregnancy (up to 2-4 weeks), externally this can be manifested by heavy bleeding with the release of blood clots.

Important! Women with irregular periods are advised to take a pregnancy test periodically so as not to miss a possible conception. If the test result is positive, you should immediately contact a gynecologist to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

Possible diseases

If pregnancy is excluded, and bleeding periodically appears after intimacy, you should consult a doctor. There are many gynecological diseases that can be accompanied by a similar symptom, and the sooner the cause is identified, the greater the chance of avoiding serious consequences and complications.

Endometrial pathologies

The endometrium is the inner mucous layer of the uterus that covers the walls of the organ. The endometrium contains a large number of blood vessels, so any disturbance in its functioning is almost always accompanied by bleeding. They can be:

very scanty (a daub or a few drops);
moderate (no more than 1-2 spoons);
profuse breakthrough (blood flows without stopping).

The most common pathology of the endometrium is its hyperplasia– growth. Hyperplasia can be the result of untreated uterine diseases or hormonal disorders. Bleeding with hyperplasia is breakthrough, the blood can come out in spurts and contain blood clots of different sizes. The intensity of bleeding increases after physical activity and sexual intercourse.

Against the background of hyperplasia, women are often diagnosed endometriosis– inflammation of the endometrium, in which mucous tissue extends beyond the body of the uterus and can accumulate in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs.

Treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and endometriosis includes taking hormonal oral contraceptives ( “Janine”, “Diane-35”, “Yarina”). In most cases, it is possible to stop the bleeding in breakthrough bleeding only with the help of surgical curettage or vacuum aspiration. After the procedure, the woman is prescribed antibiotics ( "Metronidazole") to prevent infection of the uterus.

Important! Oral contraceptives can cause severe side effects, but despite this, treatment should not be stopped until the end of the course. Self-interruption of therapy may cause “withdrawal bleeding.” The provoking factor is usually active sex and weight lifting.

Other diseases

Constant light bleeding after sexual intercourse in women can be caused by benign tumors of the uterus - fibroids, especially if they have a diffuse form.

Similar symptoms can also be caused by:

erosive damage to the cervix;
inflammation of the appendages;
polyposis and cystic formations in the ovaries;
adhesive process in the pelvis.

Sometimes blood may bleed after sex venereal diseases. In this case, other symptoms are usually present, for example, itching of the perineum, discharge with a rotten odor, redness of the mucous membranes of the genital organs. For treatment, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents are used in the form of vaginal suppositories and tablets, systemic antibiotics and bifid drugs.

Important! In severe cases, blood after sexual intercourse may be a sign of cancer in the uterus, ovaries or cervix. If such a sign appears against the background of a constant increase in temperature, nagging or acute pain of low intensity in the lower abdomen, you should urgently consult a doctor.

Possible causes in men

In almost half of the cases, blood after sex in men indicates sluggish urethritis - bacterial or viral damage to the urethra. The disease can occur against the background of a slight increase in temperature and other symptoms, which include:

burning and pain when emptying the bladder;
yellow, milky or green purulent discharge from the penis;
pain and discomfort during intimacy;
weakness and deterioration in health.

Another possible reason is frenulum injury when using various sex toys (for example, penis rings). If the size of the toy is chosen incorrectly and it strongly rubs the skin of the penis or frenulum, microcracks and abrasions may occur that bleed during and after sex. If measures are not taken in time, the wounds can become infected, which will lead to an inflammatory process.

How to stop bleeding after sex?

To stop bleeding after intimacy, you can use hemostatic drugs, but you can take them only after reading the instructions and being sure that there are no contraindications for treatment. One of the most popular medications to stop bleeding is " Dicynone" A single dose of "Dicynon" in case of excessive bleeding from the genital tract after sex is 1-2 tablets. If there is no effect, after 20 minutes you need to take another tablet and continue taking it for 5 days at the same daily dosage.

Another effective hemostatic agent is “ Vikasol" You need to take it in the same dosage. You can supplement the treatment with a decoction of the leaves. nettle. Nettle is a well-known remedy for stopping bleeding, which is even used in traditional medicine. To prepare a decoction, you need to pour 2 tablespoons of nettle into a glass of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Drink half a glass 4-5 times a day until the bleeding stops.

If nettle does not help, you can use tincture water pepper, which is sold at the pharmacy. It helps to cope even with heavy bleeding. You need to take the tincture 2 times a day, 30 drops diluted in 80 ml of liquid.

Important! Tincture of water pepper is contraindicated during pregnancy, arterial hypertension, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

After the attack is stopped, you need to go to the hospital to find out the cause. If you cannot stop the bleeding at home, you need to call an ambulance, as heavy blood loss can lead to serious consequences. Until doctors arrive, it is better to be in a supine position; you can put a bottle of ice crumbs, wrapped in a towel, or a heating pad filled with cold water on your lower abdomen.

To prevent bleeding after sex, it is necessary to avoid alcohol before intimacy and avoid harsh and rough movements during sexual intercourse. If there are signs of any diseases, it is necessary to treat them so as not to infect your partner and prevent possible complications.

Waiting for a baby is a responsible and exciting period. Unusual sensations often force a woman to worry about trifles. But among all that is possible at this time, there is a circumstance that cannot be called nonsense. This is bleeding during early pregnancy. Every woman should know why it happens, what needs to be done and whether it is necessary to take care.

Read in this article

What is considered bleeding?

This is a discharge from the genitals, small, medium or large volume, in which blood is found. Its quantity is determined by their red, pink, brown colors. Tissue particles and clots may also be seen in the discharge.

All women should know whether bleeding can occur in the early stages of pregnancy, and what causes this phenomenon. This will give her a chance to remain calm and at the same time not to lose vigilance in case of possible discharge.

Since there is always biological fluid of varying consistency in the female genital tract, some people incorrectly assess the possible threat that lies behind the bleeding.

A small volume of discharge is not yet evidence that what is happening is natural. Blood can be retained inside the uterus or in the space between its wall and the placenta. Then at first very little comes out, but the woman will steadily lose strength. If you notice that there is bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy, you must immediately find out what is causing it.

Serious threat to the fetus and woman

At the initial stage of pregnancy, anything can seriously harm her: stress for any reason, physical effort, taking medications. The fetus is still too weak, and the tissues protecting it have not yet fully formed. Therefore, blood during early pregnancy may have causes that threaten its existence and the life of the woman herself.

Danger of miscarriage and miscarriage

These are common causes of bloody discharge. In addition to them, the woman is plagued by periodic throbbing pains in the lower abdomen. It can all start with barely noticeable bleeding. If you neglect this symptom, it will develop to such a level that the embryo will slip out along with the biological fluid.

But this outcome is by no means predetermined. If the fetus survives, then at the onset of bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy, the chance of saving it is quite high. It is necessary, without waiting for the discharge to stop, to contact a specialist and demand help.

If the embryo immediately had serious defects or the process went too far, it is likely to be complete. Other culprits can be infections affecting the reproductive or urinary system, trauma, and inflammation. Heavy bleeding during early pregnancy, combined with pain, characterizes a complete miscarriage. After a short time, the gripping sensations in the stomach freeze, as does the discharge. A specialist, examining the patient, will find that the uterine pharynx is closed and there is nothing in the cavity.

Blood clots during early pregnancy can be noticed even with little effort, for example, after visiting the toilet. It is likely that these are particles of fetal membranes or embryonic tissue.

A miscarriage can also be incomplete, when the pregnancy is lost irretrievably, but the flow of blood continues and the cervix remains open. There is still danger for the woman here if it is not done in time. Bleeding with clots in early pregnancy is a symptom of incomplete miscarriage. The discharge becomes a deep red color and is accompanied by unbearable cramping pain and a feverish state.

Ectopic pregnancy

An abnormal location of the ovum can also cause bleeding during early pregnancy. Normally, a week after fertilization, the place of the embryo is inside the uterus. But sometimes, for various reasons, the fetus lingers in the fallopian tube and penetrates the abdominal cavity or cervix. The first circumstance is observed more often. We are not talking about preserving the fetus; the main thing is the life and health of the woman.

At first, tubal pregnancy does not differ symptomatically from normal pregnancy. It is detected by a pharmacy test, causes changes in the mammary glands, and absence of menstruation. But the fetus grows and becomes cramped in the fallopian tube. The organ stretches, causing pain in the area where the embryo is located. The accompanying bloody smear in the early stages of pregnancy, which intensifies over time, gives reason to suspect this particular diagnosis.

There are ways to remove the embryo from the fallopian tube while preserving the organ. If time is lost, it has to be removed, which reduces the chances of conception in the future. And when a woman endures pain for a long time without telling the doctor about it, the fallopian tube may rupture with heavy bleeding. This is already an imminent threat to life. In addition to strong bloody discharge, damage to the fallopian tube makes itself felt by pain in the abdomen, which can lead to loss of consciousness.

Frozen pregnancy

Light bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy may be a signal that the fetus is fading. For unknown reasons, it stops its development, which also manifests itself:

Abdominal pain;
Stopping enlargement and pain in the mammary glands;
The disappearance of toxicosis and flatulence characteristic of pregnancy;
Increased body temperature;
A sharp decrease in basal temperature values. But the symptom can only be detected if it is measured regularly.

Sometimes the uterus tries to get rid of a frozen fetus. But in most cases, curettage is required. Delaying time means increasing the risk of sepsis.

Bubble skid

The abnormal development of the tissues that make up the placenta is called hydatidiform mole. Its cause lies in mistakes made by nature during fertilization. A benign (trophoblastic) tumor forms in the uterus instead of the embryo, amniotic sac and placenta. It looks like many small cysts arranged in a cluster. In addition to the abnormally enlarged size of the uterus characteristic of this disease, there is another sign - blood during early pregnancy. It can be released for a long time until the uterus is freed from the tumor. The color of the discharge is dark, the consistency is quite thick. Egg bubbles come out with the blood. And although there is little discharge, if it is regular, the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia is inevitable. Often the process is complemented by vomiting. Failure to provide timely assistance provokes the spread of trophoblastic cells to other parts of the body.

Diseases of the genital area that cause bleeding

Pregnancy will not protect you from gynecological problems. On the contrary, many of them are getting worse at this time, and some are being discovered for the first time, because responsible mothers monitor their own well-being more jealously. And if you bleed during early pregnancy, it may be a sign of a gynecological disease.

Cervical erosion

Changes in the surface epithelium make the cervix a possible source of bloody discharge. The ulcers formed on the mucous membrane make the organ very sensitive upon contact. But even without obvious reasons for this, simply by sitting with her legs tucked, a woman can sometimes detect blood in the early stages of pregnancy, and in subsequent ones too. It colors the discharge red, brown or pink. This poses no threat to either the mother or the developing fetus. Usually, deliverance is left for later, waiting for the end of the postpartum period. So such discharge, which is not abundant and is not accompanied by pain, can come out more than once, especially after sex.

Polyp

A benign neoplasm can also make its existence known by secretions. In this case, blood during early pregnancy is released sparingly and painlessly. The choice of therapy remains at the discretion of the physician and depends on the surrounding circumstances. But even when deciding to remove a large and bleeding polyp, there is no threat to the fetus or woman. Along with the manipulation, medications are prescribed to maintain her condition. But often gynecologists take a wait-and-see attitude towards polyps, and the neoplasm peels off on its own painlessly.

Varicose veins

Many are sure that only the extremities suffer from varicose veins, and then mainly when the owner is overweight. In reality, if a diagnosis exists, bleeding during pregnancy is also likely, including in the early stages. After all, the vagina is also riddled with veins, and the new position increases the load on their walls.

Often the disease also affects the labia area, causing the perineum to swell and ache. The secretory function of the vagina is disrupted, causing it to become tense and unpleasant. Minor discharge with bloody inclusions is detected after it, and for no noticeable reason. They do not pose a danger, but they complicate its course for the woman and increase discomfort.

Venereal infection

Sometimes discharge with blood impurities appears when chlamydia, trichomonas and other microorganisms that enter through the genitals are activated in the body. In addition to dangerous inclusions, which in this case increase the likelihood of miscarriage, they have and may be accompanied by:

Itching;
Temperature;
Loss of strength.

Is bleeding always a threat?

Women in an “interesting position” are characterized by all sorts of fears, so they often exaggerate the severity of their own feelings. When wondering why there is bleeding in early pregnancy, many people forget that this can also be explained by natural reasons:

Egg implantation. The embryo remains fixed inside the uterus throughout the entire gestation period. The process begins a week after fertilization, when the woman does not even know about the changes awaiting her. More often than not, this event is asymptomatic. But sometimes a drop of blood during early pregnancy and a slight aching pain can signal implantation;
It's time for your period. With a slight hormonal imbalance, the body is able to remember them, and then the woman notices spotting with streaks of blood. There are few of them, there is no pain, sometimes there is a tightening in the lower abdomen. In principle, this is not dangerous if you can lie down quietly and take the medications prescribed by your doctor. But when a woman allows herself
Whatever causes bleeding during early pregnancy, treatment is necessary in many cases. Trying to determine the cause yourself, waiting or using home-grown remedies means wasting time and risking the future baby and yourself. Women who turn to a gynecologist in a timely manner, despite the serious threat of miscarriage, in 80% of cases carry the fetus normally and give birth to healthy babies. To maintain pregnancy with an increased risk of miscarriage, the following medications are prescribed:
- Papaverine (suppositories) or in tablet form. Reduce tension in the walls of the uterus, neutralizing pain and eliminating the possibility of expulsion from the fetal cavity;
- Duphaston or Utrozhestan. Hormonal agents bring progesterone levels to normal. Lack of the substance often causes bleeding. If there is a more serious threat of interruption, injections of the hormone in its pure form are prescribed;
- Motherwort, Valerian. The drugs reduce anxiety, thereby helping to relax, including the smooth muscles of the uterus.
But the main thing in providing assistance is hemostatic drugs during early pregnancy:
- Dicynone. The active ingredient is ethamsylate. The drug supports the formation of platelets, which “seal” the vessels, preventing their contents from leaking out. It is available in tablets, but in particularly serious circumstances Dicinone is prescribed intravenously. Once in the bloodstream, the medicine begins to work after 20 minutes, and the effect lasts up to 6 hours;
- Vikasol. Improves blood clotting due to the production of prothrombin, but it begins to act only 8-12 hours after entering the body, so it is not prescribed in emergency situations, but is used for complex treatment 4 tablets per day or 1-2 ml intravenously;
- Tranexam, Exacil or Troxaminate. The drug is prescribed in tablets (1 or 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the condition) or injections for bloody discharge or a predisposition to it. It is based on tranexamic acid, which helps with clotting.
Therapy is often supplemented with the intake of vitamins C and E, folic acid, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of dangerous discharge. You cannot use hemostatic drugs on your own. All of them have side effects, so dosage and regular monitoring of blood viscosity are very important. The latter is especially important if problems with clotting were noted before pregnancy.

If the pregnancy cannot be saved

When bleeding that appears during early pregnancy is caused by a tubal location, surgery cannot be avoided. The task here is to save the woman and preserve the organ. If the fetus is still small, it is removed, leaving the fallopian tube functioning. If there is no chance to save her organ, the organ is removed to avoid rupture and more intense bleeding, which could lead to the patient’s death.

With a complete hydatidiform mole and a frozen pregnancy, there is no question of saving the fetus. It is necessary to free the uterus from its contents, which is done using curettage or vacuum cleaning.

If it is noticed that there is bleeding during early pregnancy, the woman should complain to the gynecologist and not resist when he suggests hospitalization. The initial period is one of the most difficult for the embryo, but at the same time it has a greater chance of preserving the child and maximizing the avoidance of adverse consequences for the mother’s health.

When using any medications, you should consult a specialist doctor. There are contraindications.

Natural and indicate normally occurring physiological processes in the female body, blood from the vagina can be a very dangerous signal. This may warn of mechanical damage to the vagina and genital organs or problems with women’s health (infectious processes, etc.).

In any case, if any unusual fluids appear from the genitals, you should visit a gynecologist as soon as possible to rule out dangerous diseases of the genital area, serious hormonal imbalances and other health problems. Even if blood from the vagina is caused by natural causes and does not indicate illness, it is unsafe for a woman, as it can lead to a drop in hemoglobin, leading to iron deficiency anemia, weakness and a decrease in a person’s vitality.

If you are bleeding from your vagina , There may also be physiological reasons for this phenomenon (menstruation, ovulation, etc.). And most often, a woman understands from the first drop that this discharge is normal (by color, smell, consistency and how she feels).

If the critical days are still more than a week away, then most likely it is not earlier than menstruation. And the nature of menstrual fluid is different from bleeding. A normal menstrual cycle is 21-35 days, blood loss is 3-7 days, the volume of fluid released is 40-90 ml.

If there is a deviation from the norm, then there is a need to find out the root cause of this failure. These can be emotional influences (stress, severe anxiety, etc.), exposure to external factors (hypothermia, taking hormonal medications, etc.), diseases (infections, hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases). During menstruation, vaginal discharge should be relatively homogeneous, bloody, with mucus. The loss of pieces of “tissue”, blood clots, scanty or copious discharge is a signal of a health problem.

Among the natural reasons for the appearance of blood from the genitals may be ovulation. Even if the release of an egg has never been accompanied by such symptoms, this is possible and not critical.

Although in rare cases, vaginal bleeding is caused by minor hormonal imbalances, normal uterine function, or other natural causes, and may soon resolve without intervention, there are many more life-threatening causes. Therefore, it is not worth risking such an alarming symptom.

Possible causes of vaginal bleeding that require an immediate visit to the hospital:

various uterine bleeding:

v hormonal dysfunction (bleeding during menstruation, typical for women over 35 years old);

v bleeding associated with pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy, problems with the normal course of pregnancy, labor and postpartum bleeding);

v teenage or juvenile bleeding;

mechanical damage to the walls of the vagina, labia or cervix (during sexual intercourse or other processes).

With underlying causes such as ectopic pregnancy, minutes count. Otherwise, the patient may die from pain or loss of blood, since a ruptured tube is accompanied by unbearable pain, and all uterine bleeding is very heavy and difficult to stop.

And if blood from the vagina is caused by erosion or cancer, every minute of delay can cost your life. And the sooner oncology is diagnosed and treatment is started, the higher the chance of saving a life and even completely preserving reproductive function.

Remember, you cannot stop uterine bleeding on your own, and death with heavy bleeding can occur within an hour or two.