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Postcoital bleeding

Emga33190
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Hi. 

I need some advice. I'm going crazy. I'm about to turn 33 and had this since age 29.

I gave birth to my daughter in August 2020 and ever since then I've had spotting after sex and sometimes mid cycle. I initially chalked it off to hormones. However this continued.. I Had a smear in Nov 2020 as it was due which was hpv negative. Then I Saw my GP in Feb 2020 had swabs and scan which were fine so referred to gynaecologist. I was treated for ectropion in Dec 2021. (wait list was 9 months). Then symptoms restarted in August 2022. Saw gp again in Feb 2023, had scan and swabs, all normal. So again referred to gynaecologist (its now Jan 2024 and still on wait list). Paid private in June 2023 as it was staring to really worry me that it hasn't cleared up. Consultant saw small ectropion and treated again. I was relieved that this was the cause. Anyway. The bleeding after sex continued even after treatnent so went back to private consultant again in August 2023 who said there were no signs of ectropion and as my last smear was normal, and swabs and ultrasound were normal, that it's probably nothing for me to worry about.

And that was it!

Still spotting after sex. Sometimes there's more than other occasions. Never loads. Usually pink mixed in. But still happening. So 3.5years and no answers. 

I'm really stressed that no one seems bothered by this other than me. 

Is it really just one of those things. 

We get told so much as females that it isn't normal. Yet here I am. It's gotten to the point where I don't want to have sex with my husband because of the anxiety I get after. I've had a few rare occasions where I've not had any but 9 times out of 10, I do. 

What can I do. My GPS just take me down the same Route and I've been waiting nearly a year to see a consultant on the NHS again and I can't keep paying private when they don't offer any more help.

As its been happening for so long now, I'm afraid that if it is what I'm afraid of.. It's past the early point. 

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    Hello Emga , I don’t know much about the ectropion, but I think that it means your cervical lining is thinner and you are likely to have some spotting occasionally. As you have been to see about it privately as well as with your Gp , I would suggest that you go back ,as I am sure there is some medication for this particular condition . Try not to worry too much ,do lubricants help at all .? 
    Keep in touch xxx

  • Offline in reply to rumpelstiltskin

    Thanks for your reply.  Yeah, they said ectropion is where cells from inside the cervix grow outside, probably caused by pregnancy in my case. But it's been treated twice and I've since been told there's no more.

    We've tried lubricant but doesn't make a difference. My husband and i have discussed maybe trying different brand condoms in case the ones were using are the issue.

    Unless it's just a change in my body since having my daughter and now my cervix is sensitive because I also spot after smear tests or swabs which never happened prior to having her.

    Ive called the hospital booking office this morn and they said I should get a letter with an appointment by the end of this month so that's a relief! 

    Thanks again. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Emga33190

    Great , good news about appointment , try not too worry to much now xxx

  • Hello Emga,

    I'm so sorry you have had ongoing symptoms for 4 years, it must be upsetting to not have an answer. I can tell this has all impacted on your mental and emotional health and has affected your relationship.

    This said I am pleased to hear that all the tests you have had have all come back as normal and none of the doctors you have seen has been concerned about a cancer diagnosis.

    It would be more unusual to have had a cervical or uterine cancer for the last 4 years, and in your age range, and nothing to have been picked up on the tests that you have had so far. As anything more worrying has been ruled out and there are other non cancer reasons for bleeding after sex, called PCB (post-coital bleeding) it may be something else. Polyps, vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness and cervix wall changes due to childbirth can all cause PCB as well at the ectropion which you have previously had. Some more information on PCB here.

    I understand that you are very frustrated by all this, but googling or looking on cancer forums will only keep the idea of cancer at the forefront of your mind. Hopefully seeing the specialist at the end of the month will be helpful and do discuss with them your concerns about undiagnosed cancer so they understand how you are feeling. 

    Take care Emga,

    Sarah.

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