Fatai Adegboyega Sanusi

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Post-coital bleeding (PCB) / Vaginal Bleeding After Sex

Post-coital bleeding, also known as PCB (or vaginal bleeding after sex) is vaginal bleeding which happens during or immediately after sexual intercourse, but which is not related to your period. PCB is common and in most cases it is normally not due to cancer.

Sometimes there is no explanation, but it is very important to rule out worrying causes like cervical cancer.

Other causes include:

  • an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as Chlamydia, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • cervical ectropion where there is an inflamed area on the surface of the cervix (also known as cervical erosion)
  • vaginal dryness (atrophic vaginitis) caused by reduced vaginal secretions after the menopause
  • damage to the vagina, such as tears caused by childbirth, or by dryness or friction during sex
  • cervical or endometrial polyps (benign or non-cancerous growths in the womb or the lining of the cervix)

Depending on any other symptoms and your medical history, your GP may recommend a Colposcopy to rule out a more serious cause.

Mr Sanusi is a BSCCP accredited Colposcopist with over 25 years of experience in performing colposcopy to investigate and treat the cause of post-coital bleeding.


To find out more about Colposcopy click here or to book a private appointment click here.

Accredited Colposcopist
Mr Sanusi is a BSCCP accredited Colposcopist with over 25 years of experience