Many females have experienced vaginal bleeding after sex. Up to 63 per cent of post-menopausal people may experience vaginal dryness and vaginal bleeding or spotting during sex.

Additionally, up to nine per cent of menstruating people experience post-coital (after-sex) bleeding.

Occasional light bleeding is usually not a cause for concern. If you have certain risk factors or have gone through menopause, bleeding after intercourse may be a cause for concern.

CAUSES

Bleeding after sex is medically known as post-coital bleeding. It occurs in people of all ages. In younger people who haven't reached menopause, the source of the bleeding is usually the cervix.

In those who have gone through menopause, the source of the bleeding is more varied. It can be from the cervix, uterus, labia or urethra.

CONTRACEPTIVES.

Hormonal contraceptives or birth controls can make the linings of the uterus and cervix to become extra sensitive and may result in post-coital bleeding.

PREGNANCY

Having sex during pregnancy may occasionally cause bleeding, this should checked out immediately to ascertain if there are other more serious cause of bleeding in pregnancy.

VAGINAL DRYNESS

Vaginal dryness can lead to bleeding. In addition to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, other factors can cause vaginal dryness, such as: having intercourse before being fully aroused; friction during intercourse; douching; chemicals in feminine hygiene products, laundry detergents, and pools; breastfeeding; childbirth; certain medications, including cold medication, asthma medications, some antidepressants, and anti-oestrogen drugs; having your ovaries removed; chemotherapy and radiation therapy; and Sjögren's syndrome (an inflammatory disease of the immune system that reduces moisture generated by glands in the body).

INFECTIONS

Some infections can cause inflammation of the tissues in the vagina, which may lead to bleeding. These can include:

• pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the reproductive organs in the lower abdomen, which includes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and uterus.

• sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia.

• cervicitis, which is inflammation of the cervix that occurs as the result of an infection.

• vulvovaginitis, which is inflammation of the vulva and vagina that often occurs due to an infection.

CERVICAL ECTROPION

Cervical ectropion occurs when the cell type that typically grows on the inside of the cervix grows on the outside instead. Cervical ectropion may result in an inflamed area.

Also known as cervical ectopy or cervical eversion, this condition is caused by high oestrogen levels.

However, it is considered a natural variant and tends to occur in: adolescents, pregnant people, people using hormonal contraception and people who menstruate.

GENITO-URINARY SYNDROME.

Formerly known as vaginal atrophy. It is common in those in perimenopause and menopause and those who have had their ovaries removed.

As women get older, especially when menst