Postcoital bleeding

I am looking for help / advise on post coital bleeding. 

I am 34 years old and otherwise healthy I am on no birth control. Periods are regular and pretty normal - only issue I have ever really had is pain in my left ovary during ovulation. I was advised previously that it was enlarged, but nothing to be consered about when I was younger. 

However I have experienced 3x extremely heavy bleeding after (during) sex with no real cause identified. For reference, I have not been having regular intercourse- 3 / 4 times in the last maybe 10ish years I have had intercourse has resulted in heavy bleeding. 

The first time, I just thought it might have been a tear or something, and genuinely thought nothing of it. 

After the secomd time, I made an appointment with my GP. They examined me, but found it hard to see as I was still bleeding (few days after) so was referred for ultrasound. I was due my smear at that point, so had that, alongside STD test and both came back clear and normal. A week or so after, I thought I may have passed something like a polyp or fibroid, as a smallish (pinky size) piece of flesh came out of me. When I phoned the GP again, they advised they would rush my ultrasound and had that appointment about 2 week later and was told everything looked good. No other follow up was needed. 

Last instance resulted in hospitalisation for severe bleeding to which I needed IV iron (my hemoglobin dropped by 30 points from admission - resus had actually ordered me blood thinking I would need a transfusion and thankfully did not). It was quite traumatic as I bled out in public and was unable to get an ambulance. Ended up passing out in the A&E toilets due to the blood loss and became quite sick as well as being tachycardic. They obviously managed to stop the bleeding and I had a few vaginal exams during my stay but they were happy enough to discharge me and to follow up with gynae 3 months after to give my body time to heal. 

I've had a few follow up appointments at the hospital. Had a speculum exam to which the doctor had said he found eptrocian and that was likely the cause of the bleeding and he refered me for a colposcopy, I had my appointment a few weeks ago, but was told everything looked healthy during appointment so was officially discharged. Smear was 3 years ago and fine, so they confirmed I would next be seen as usual in 2028 when I would next be due. 

I am still awaiting a final abdominal ultrasound appointment as a "last check". But after having 2 previously, and my last one (2 years ago) being fine - I am not expecting anything to come of the appointment. 

I am now at a loss of what to do, where to go, and whether there is anything else I can get checked or tested for- and of course, I am very worried about it happening again. 

  • I should probably add - no pain during or after and there was plenty lubrication 

  • Hi there and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about your situation, it does sound like you have been through a lot and understandably are worried about this.

    However from what you have said it seems you have been checked out thoroughly and the upcoming pelvic ultrasound is the most appropriate test to make sure everything is looking as it should in that area. If however this shows up any abnormality further tests may be needed to find out more.

    Sit tight for now and wait for the ultrasound and go from there.

    I hope your appointment goes well but do get back if you need to or if you prefer give us a call on 0808 800 4040, we're here weekdays 9-5.

    Best wishes

    Naomi