August 12, 2010

Post-Sex Bleeding

Making love should be a pleasant experience, and definitely not have crime scene after effects. Vaginal bleeding after sex can ruin a good night and a set of sheets. Bleeding during or after sex is not normal and should be checked by a health care professional. There are conditions that can stimulate this type of reaction during sex.

Dysplasia and Cervical Cancer – Cervical cancer can cause vaginal bleeding after intercourse. Precancers and early cancers normally do not bleed. Women over 30 should undergo a Pap smear. If financially a Pap smear is a problem you can find lower prices at some Planned Parenthood clinics. Because cervical cancer is caused by HPV it is also recommended you have an HPV testing as well.

Cancer of the Uterus – Women over the age of 35 should be checked for cancer of the uterus. An endometrial biopsy takes a sample of cells from the uterus’s lining. The procedure is simple and can be done in a doctor’s office. Overweight women have more of a risk of cancer of the uterus. This is due to the fact that fat tissue makes estrogen, which is crucial in cancer of the uterus. Women under 35 may need an endometrial biopsy if they are obese.

STI’s – Chlamydia and gonorrhea are caused by the passing of bacteria during intercourse. STI’s can attack the cervical cells and cause bleeding, discharge, pain, burning, and itching. STI’s should be treated immediately or they can worsen and eventually lead to infertility.

Cervical Ectropion – This condition is harmless and the most common cause of post-sex bleeding. This condition causes the cells normally being produced in the cervix to be made outside the cervix. When the cells are outside the cervix they are more easily irritated and inflamed and can bleed when touched. This condition can be found in a Pap smear. This condition may be caused by high levels of estrogen. If you experience post-sex bleeding after switching birth control pills you may need to change the type of pill to one with a lower dosage of estrogen or a device that doesn’t use estrogen (Mirena).

The bleeding is easy to differentiate from period blood. It is a more vibrant red and the bleeding is heavier. The bleeding will be heavy at first but slow to spotting and normally the spotting continues for a few days. Anytime you experience vaginal bleeding post-sex, see a doctor before engaging in sexual intercourse again.

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July 19, 2010

How to Prevent HPV and Cervical Cancer

Filed under: HPV — Tags: cancer, cervical cancer, gardasil, HPV, STI, virus — Amanda @ 12:20 pm

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection that infects 75% of young women before the age of 50 if they aren’t vaccinated. There are more than 40 types of HPV but the most common ones type are type 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV infects the genital area and causes genital warts, abnormal pap tests, and cervical cancer. Since HPV is a virus, there is no real cure for it and it is often undetectable until a herpes infection flares up. This means that the virus can be passed on to many partners before you know you have it. Once you contract HPV you can have it for your whole life; however it tends to get worse or flare up when your immune system is compromised.

Preventing HPV

Unfortunately you are never completely safe from HPV – you are always at risk of contracting the virus. The best defense is to always use condoms during every sex act – from start the finish. HPV can infect the mouth and throat as well. Condoms aren’t always a reliable defense, and HPV can still be passed on during condom use if a woman’s labia touch the base of a man’s penis, but they are the best physical defense.

Vaccines are available that protect males and females agasint the most common types of HPV and cervical cancer. It is recommended that girls and boys between 11 and 26 get the Gardasil vaccine. This is to be given in three doses over a six month period. Though Gardasil is highly effective at preventing HPV, it is not a cure, and it only protects agasint the most common types of HPV.

People in a faithful relationship with one partner, people who limit their number of sex partners, or people who choose a partner who has had few or no other sex partners can reduce their chances of contracting HPV. But even people who have only had one lifetime sex partner can get HPV, and it is hard to determine if a partner who has had previous partners is currently infected.

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