Marla Ahlgrimm: What Causes Bleeding After Sex?

Sex is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. However, there are times when the joy can turn to fear, particularly for women who experience bleeding after intercourse. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, postcoital bleeding is not uncommon, but it might be cause for concern. 

 

Q: What causes bleeding after sex? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are many potential causes of postcoital bleeding. One of the most common is pelvic inflammatory disease. Vaginal dryness, cervical polyps, and, in extreme cases, cervical cancer are also known issues that can trigger bleeding after intercourse. However, often, bleeding after sex may be the result of the cervix shedding its lining, which can happen several days before and after a woman’s period. 

 

Q: How do I know what’s causing my postcoital bleeding? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: It happens outside of your period, it’s probably best to see your doctor. They will likely administer a pregnancy test and a pelvic examination. This involves inserting two fingers into your vagina to manually feel for abnormalities. Your physician will also insert a speculum into your vagina to look for issues not felt. This exam will feel much like a routine Pap smear/visit to your gynecologist. 

Why Do My Hormones Matter? Marla Ahlgrimm Explains

By now, you already know that your hormones are tiny chemical messengers that pretty much tell everything in your body what to do. But, how do they work, can you have too many hormones, and can we influence our hormone production or is it entirely controlled by the body? Marla Ahlgrimm answers these and other questions below. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, your body creates hormones and, when you eat, exercise, and get enough sleep, your body usually maintains the exact balance you need to perform virtually every function. But, there are many things that you can do to influence your hormone production. Not sleeping enough, using too many pesticides and herbicides, ingesting man-made chemicals, and living a stagnant lifestyle all affect your body’s hormone production.