Is it normal to have a little spotting after sex?

By Emily @ Planned Parenthood | Oct. 17, 2017, 5:04 p.m.

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I recently had sex and experienced a small amount of spotting afterward, even though I wasn't a virgin and I'm not on my period. Can this happen if I hadn't had sex for several months or is it something I should be concerned about?

A few different things can cause light bleeding (spotting) after sex. Sometimes sex can cause skin irritation and even bleeding in your vagina if it’s stretched a lot for the first time in a while, if your vagina isn’t lubricated (wet) enough, or if it’s irritated because of an allergy or yeast infection.

Spotting after sex can also be a sign of an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea. So it’s best to talk with a doctor or nurse to find out what’s going on. If you haven’t been tested for STDs, it’s important that you get tested. You can visit your nearest Planned Parenthood health center to find out what’s causing the spotting.

-Emily at Planned Parenthood

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