User:Mr. Ibrahem/Postcoital bleeding
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Postcoital bleeding (PCB) is vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse that is not related to menstruation.[1] While typically painless, in about 15% of cases pain is present.[2] Often those affected also have abnormal uterine bleeding including intermenstrual bleeding.[2][1]
Postcoital bleeding | |
---|---|
Specialty | Gynecology |
Symptoms | Vaginal bleeding after sex[1] |
Usual onset | Reproductive age and older[2] |
Causes | Cervical ectropion, cervical or endometrial polyps, infections including sexually transmitted infection, injury, pregnancy, vaginal atrophy, cervical or endometrial cancer[2][1] |
Risk factors | Low estrogen, sexual assault, vigorous sex[2] |
Diagnostic method | Based on examination, pregnancy testing, taking swabs[2] |
Treatment | Depends on cause[2] |
Frequency | 5%-10% of females[2] |
Before menopause common causes include cervical ectropion (33%), cervical or endometrial polyps (5% to 18%), infections including sexually transmitted infection, injury, and pregnancy.[2][1] After menopause the most common cause is vaginal atrophy.[2][1] It may also be an early signs of cervical or endometrial cancer (7 to 17% of cases).[2] Other causes include endometriosis and a malpositioned intrauterine device.[1][2] Diagnosis involves examination of the vagina and cervix, pregnancy testing, taking swabs, and sometimes a biopsy.[3][2] Other tests may include ultrasound, Pap smear, and colposcopy.[1]
Treatment depends on the cause.[2] Silver nitrate may be used to treat cervical ectropion, while cervical polyps can be removed.[1] In more than half of people without a clear cause, symptoms resolve within six month.[1] Referral is recommended to a gynecologist if the condition persists beyond this.[1] Postcoital bleeding is common, affected around 5% to 10% of females.[1][2] Due to the association with sexual assault, this should be asked about.[1]