12:47:00 AM
Sex for the first time is always a big deal, especially in women. There are a mix of emotions that run through the women and these cause the women find it difficult to understand their bodies. One of the most talked about issues when first time sex occurs is the issue that pertains bleeding. It has been said that it is normal for women to bleed after their first episode of sexual intercourse. This statement has some truth and also some varying degree of untruth in it.
Blood is sometimes seen following a sexual episode. This may be seen during the sexual episode, following the sexual event when you go to urinate or even later as staining in your undergarments. It is however important to note that it should not always be the case for all women virgins. Some women may bleed while some may not bleed.
The reason why bleeding is seen in most women is because there is breaking of the hymen during the first episode of intercourse. The hymen is a piece of skin that is very thin which covers the vagina entrance. This piece of skin is normally broken during sexual intercourse and thus the reason as to why vaginal bleeding is seen during the first episode of sex in some women. This is however not a must to occur.
The hymen can also be broken by various outdoor activities that may place some pressure on the vagina. Such activities that may cause the hymen to break on its own without the need for sexual intercourse include riding a bicycle, horseback riding, using a tampon as well as any other activity that may place a lot of pressure on the vagina. In some cases, bleeding may not occur because the hymen stretches itself and does not break. This may break after several episodes of sex and may not be noticeable.
It is important to note that most people are not even aware that the hymen has broken because it does not always cause pain or severe bleeding. When the hymen breaks before sexual intercourse, this is not to mean that the woman is not a virgin. So if you happen to bleed during your first sexual encounter, you need not be scared as to what is happening to you.
On the other hand, there are other causes that can be attributed to bleeding other than the hymen breaking. Vaginal dryness could be prime among the causes, especially as the first time during sex is not done as should be, thus one may not wait for the body to lubricate the vagina well before penetration. This could cause a problem where a slight break in the vaginal walls could cause slight bleeding. If you also happen to use sex toys, these could cause bleeding, especially if you tend to be rather rough when using the toys on the vagina.
Post coital bleeding can also result from an infection, the most common being sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) or a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chlamydia is a common STI that can be accompanied by bleeding. In women post menopause, bleeding can be seen mainly due to vaginal dryness, also referred to as atrophic vaginitis. This condition occurs because of the reduced vaginal secretions which could be as a result of child birth. Friction during sex can also cause vagina bleeding, especially if there is little or no lubrication. In some rare cases, vaginal cancer or cervical cancer can be attributed to the bleeding.
It is highly recommended to see a gynecologist when you feel you have frequent episodes of vaginal bleeding. Some of the tests to expect to be carried out include a pregnancy test, an examination of the pelvis (normally done by a GP inserting two fingers in your vagina to feel if there is anything out of the ordinary) while the cervix is checked using an instrument referred to as the speculum. In problems where vagina dryness is the cause of the bleeding, lubricating gels are recommended.
As a rule of thumb for a woman of age 25 – 64, regular cervical screening is recommended. This helps in pointing out a case of cervical cancer early enough which greatly improves treatment options for the affected person. The most common indicator of this problem is pain during sex, referred to as dyspareunia in medical circles. All in all, there is no cause for alarm for if you see a little blood following your first episode of sex. This should however not be misconstrued as blanket advice. If you feel there is reason to contact a gynecologist, by all means do so. Do not feel embarrassed while talking to your gynecologist as they are experienced in talking of similar problems. Better stay safe and sound than regret later.
