Cervical cancer question

Hi KG09,

My name is Liz and I’m one of the Macmillan cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

Thank you for getting in touch with us about your experience of bleeding after sex. I’m so glad that you have been proactive and seen your GP about the bleeding and that your pelvic scan and cervical biopsies are normal.

Firstly, I would suggest that as the bleeding has continued, you should contact your GP again or you could contact your local sexual health clinic. Your local sexual health clinic will have expertise not just in contraception but also in general gynaecological problems and sexual health.

There are a number of reasons a woman can bleed after sex.

You mentioned that you might be pre- menopausal, it would certainly be useful to use a water-based lubricant during intercourse and talk to your GP or pharmacist about vaginal moisturisers if you feel that vaginal dryness is a problem.

Postcoital bleeding isn’t usually associated with the Mirena coil, which can often  make periods lighter, shorter or completely stop after the first year of use.

Cervical ectropion is common and harmless, however it can cause light bleeding in some women after sex, as the glandular cells can bleed more easily. When you go back to see your GP or the sexual health clinic mention that you are concerned about cervical ectropion and they can examine you for it.

I hope that this information has helped and that you have further support finding an explanation for your bleeding.

If we can help with anything else don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

Take care.

Liz

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/ LZD/DC

Thank you for your reply.

I have been keeping a diary for 6 months and it does tend to happen the same time of the month each month - For example the last 5 times it has happened it has always been between to 20th and 24th of the month. Could this be a coincidence?! or is this when my period would be?! Im not sure as since having the mirena coil fitted my periods have practically stopped so hard to tell what is a period, what is spotting and what is post coital bleeding.

I have made an another appointment with my GP for Monday and I am going to ask for a referral to gynaecologist if possible.

Thanks again

Hi KG09,

Thanks for getting back in touch.

My name is Eileen and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

I’m pleased to hear that you’ve made another appointment to see your GP to have a further discussion about your symptoms.

As the Mirena coil can cause changes to periods, including making them lighter this might account for the bleeding you’re experiencing but your GP is best placed to determine if this is the case and what further steps should be taken.

The diary you’ve kept should be helpful at the appointment and please let your GP know that since the coil insertion it is difficult for you to determine what type of bleeding you’re experiencing.

I hope this is helpful but please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you need further information or support.

Best wishes

Eileen

Our ref CF