Julie Medical Advisor
Is bleeding after sex normal?
Seeing blood on the sheets or on yourself after sex can be shocking. Especially if you know it’s not time for your period. But bleeding after sex isn’t always something to worry about. It’s actually pretty common, and there are several causes for it. Also referred to as postcoital bleeding, this type of vaginal bleeding, unrelated to your menstrual cycle, looks like spotting or regular bleeding after sexual intercourse. It affects up to 9% of menstruating women. Even though blood after sex isn’t always cause for alarm, the frequency and amount of blood you see could be signs of a more serious underlying health condition. In this article, we’ll cover the causes that lead to bleeding after sex and when it’s time to see your healthcare provider.
When is bleeding after sex normal or a sign that something is wrong?
Bleeding after sex can be common and harmless, especially when caused by friction during sex, your hymen breaking, or vaginal dryness. In these instances, you can try more gentle intercourse, increasing foreplay (to create natural lubrication) or using a lubricant.
Sometimes bleeding after sex can be a sign of inflammation, which can be caused by a sexually-transmitted infection (STI). If you think you might have an STI, get tested as soon as possible. The sooner you get tested and start treatment, if needed, the less harm the STI can cause to you and your partner.
What causes bleeding after sex?
Most of the time, postcoital bleeding is no cause for alarm. However, the causes range from normal to serious, so it’s important to see a medical provider if you have specific concerns or if you find that you’re frequently bleeding after sex.
Here are some of the most common causes:
First-time hymen breaking
The ‘hymen’ is a fleshy mucosal tissue that surrounds the vaginal opening. It’s formed during development and is present at birth. Over time, this tissue thins and stretches. For some people this happens without them knowing. For others, the first time (or even the first few times) of penetrative sex causes the hymen to tear and bleed.
Some people might feel pain when the hymen tears; other people won’t feel it all. This can look like spotting or bleeding. The bleeding should resolve after 24 hours and the tear will heal. However, if someone has penetrative sex again before the tissue has completely healed, they may experience bleeding again. This is normal and is not cause for concern. But if the bleeding is heavy or prolonged, it’s best to see a doctor.
Inflammation & Infections
Inflammation of the cervix, called cervicitis, can cause bleeding after sex or a change in vaginal discharge. It’s usually the result of an infection or irritation. Inflammation can result from STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis. STIs are contagious but many can be treated with medication. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), when an STI has spread to the reproductive organs, can also cause bleeding after sex. If you think you or your partner might have an STI, read more about what to do here.
Cervicitis can also be caused by HPV (the human papillomavirus) which is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV infection of the cervix can cause frequent postcoital bleeding. This is monitored during routine pap smears, but if you notice bleeding repeatedly after penetrative sex you should discuss with a doctor.
Irritation that leads to bleeding could also be a possibility, which can be caused by chemical irritation from spermicides, douching, or latex condoms. If symptoms do not resolve after 24 hours it’s best to see a doctor.
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness occurs when there isn’t enough lubrication during penetrative sex. This causes friction that leads to small tears in the vaginal wall and bleeding after sex. A natural lack of lubrication can be caused by a variety of factors which include not being fully aroused before sex, low estrogen (as happens around menopause and when breastfeeding), or certain medications.
Some people find that engaging in foreplay prior to penetration can increase production of natural vaginal lubrication. Another solution is using OTC lubricants. There are three basic types of lubricants (water, oil and silicone) and can all help with vaginal dryness. However, you should never use oil-based lube with condoms as it can cause tears or breaks in the condom.
Cancer
Though less common, frequent bleeding after sex can be a symptom of cervical or vaginal cancer. Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina, and is caused by HPV. Around 11% of people who have cervical cancer experience postcoital bleeding. Endometrial cancer, a cancer that starts in the uterus, can sometimes be diagnosed at an early stage because of frequent and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Vaginal cancer can also cause bleeding to occur after sex.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis, or vulvovaginitis, is the inflammation of the vulva and vagina. Similar to cervical inflammation, this inflammation can also cause postcoital bleeding. It’s often due to infection or irritation.
Treatment
Since bleeding after sex can be caused by a variety of different factors, there’s no one-size fits all treatment.
To prevent bleeding, there are a few things you can try. First, try taking a break from penetrative sex for a few days to give your body time to heal. You can also try using a lubricant or engaging in more foreplay before moving onto intercourse. This can help you be more aroused and lubricated when you do have penetrative sex. Gentle, less aggressive sex can also help stop any bleeding that might be caused by too much friction. Take it slow, and if you begin to feel pain, let your partner know and take a break.
To truly stop bleeding after sex, you need to figure out what’s causing it:
- Vaginal dryness: Lubricants can help to ease the dryness that leads to friction and bleeding. If vaginal dryness is caused by hormonal changes, a doctor can recommend topical medications.
- STIs: The best way to find out if you have an STI is to get tested. If you have an STI, your medical provider can make recommendations to treat or manage your infection.
- Cervical cancer: Pap smears are performed by a gynecologist or family medicine doctor beginning at the age of 21. The purpose of pap smears is to detect if you have HPV or signs of early cervical cancer. If detected early enough, your doctor may recommend more frequent pap smears or may remove the affected cells. If the cancer is more developed, treatment can involve surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, or radiation. While cervical cancer is often treatable, it’s best to stay up to date on pap smears and to discuss frequent postcoital bleeding with a doctor as soon as possible.
When to see a doctor
Though bleeding after sex isn’t always cause for concern, be sure to see a doctor if bleeding hasn’t stopped after 24 hours. If you’re unsure about how much you’re bleeding, you can use a pad to help measure the amount of blood. If the bleeding is accompanied by pain or fever, or if the bleeding is heavier than normal, it’s always best to get it checked out.
Although the information above may be useful, it shouldn’t replace the advice of your healthcare professional. For questions about birth control and other women’s health issues, please talk to your healthcare professional.
There are a few medications that may interact with the morning-after pill. The most common medications include:
-Some anti-HIV medications
-Some anti-seizure medications
-Rifampin (an antibiotic mainly used to treat tuberculosis)
-Griseofulvin
-St. John’s wort
If you have concerns about a medicine you are taking potentially interacting with the morning-after pill, please consult with a pharmacist or medical provider.
No, studies have confirmed that taking two pills will not change the effectiveness of the morning-after pill, even for those with higher BMIs.
Essentially nothing. Julie is not an abortion pill and it will not harm or end an existing pregnancy. Julie helps prevent pregnancy by stopping or delaying ovulation, but if you’re pregnant, then there’s no ovulation to stop. The medication, levonorgestrel, won’t harm you or your fetus if you do end up taking Julie while pregnant. This makes Julie a great option for people who want to be safe after unprotected sex—if you aren’t pregnant yet, it may stop a pregnancy from occurring, and if you are already pregnant, it won’t impact the fetus.
No. The morning-after pill only stops ovulation short-term. When you take it after unprotected sex, it reduces your chance of getting pregnant now. When you start a new cycle next month, you’ll go through a brand new ovulation phase, which is a new opportunity to get pregnant. So if you’re planning on having babies in the future, rest assured your chances of getting pregnant won’t be affected by Julie.
After taking Julie you can continue on with your regular birth control method if you have one (for example, continue taking birth control pills).
You will know Julie has been effective when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is delayed beyond 1 week, it is possible you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare professional.
Julie is a backup or emergency method and should not be used as a regular birth control method. Consult with your doctor about a birth control method that makes sense for you.
Please know that taking a dose of Julie will only protect you from one instance of unprotected sex, it will not prevent pregnancy from unprotected sex over the coming days or weeks. If you have unprotected sex in the future and want to prevent pregnancy, be sure to take a new dose of Julie and talk to your doctor about the best birth control options for you.
Your menstrual bleeding patterns may change temporarily after using levonorgestrel. If you find that your period is more than a week late, take a pregnancy test to confirm whether the contraceptive has worked.
Technically, no. Julie can be used by anyone with a uterus regardless of weight. However, studies have shown that the effectiveness of the morning-after pill does decrease in people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 25. For those with a BMI under 25, pregnancy risk after taking the morning-after pill is less than 2%. For those with a BMI over 29.9, the risk of pregnancy increases to 5.8% - meaning that out of every 100 individuals with a BMI over 29.9 who take Julie, six may become pregnant.
Why? Unfortunately, we don’t really know. There is only preliminary research testing the efficacy of the morning-after pill on people with a BMI over 25 and 30. Read more here.
Julie is not an abortion pill and will not harm an existing pregnancy nor will it be effective if a woman is already pregnant.
Julie is a progestin‑only emergency contraception product that helps prevent pregnancy before it starts when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Julie is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control. Use as directed.
The medication in the morning-after pill, levonorgestrel, temporarily blocks or delays ovulation, which is when your ovary releases an egg. It essentially puts the emergency brakes on your ovaries so an egg can’t be released. If there’s no egg, then there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize, which means a pregnancy can’t develop.
Read more about how the morning-after pill works here.
The morning-after pill, like Julie, is 89% effective when taken within 72 hours (or 3 days) after unprotected sex. The golden rule is the sooner you take it, the better it will work.
One thing to note: Weight does impact the effectiveness of the morning-after pill. If your BMI is over 25, Julie may not be the best option for you, but there are other options if you have access to a medical provider. Ella® is another type of emergency contraception pill that works more effectively for women with a BMI under 30. Like Julie, it’s a one-time pill but it does require a prescription from your provider. Copper and hormonal IUDs are the most effective form of emergency contraceptive and are not affected by weight at all. However, they do need to be inserted by a healthcare professional up to 5 days after having unprotected sex.
Learn more about how weight impacts Julie here.
You do not need to see a doctor before or after taking Julie because the pill is available without a prescription. However, there are a few reasons you might want to speak with a doctor after unprotected sex. The first reason is that unprotected sex carries the risk of catching sexually-transmitted infections. The second reason is that the morning-after pill is not as effective as regular birth control. A doctor will be able to counsel you on better options if you plan to remain sexually active.
Since emergency contraception can affect the length of your menstrual cycle, your period might come about a week later or earlier than usual after taking Julie. If your period is more than one week late, consider the possibility of pregnancy.
No, the morning-after pill (including Julie) and the abortion pill are two very different medications. The morning-after pill prevents a pregnancy from starting by stopping an egg from being released. If there’s no egg, there’s no chance of pregnancy. Plus, it’s FDA-approved and legal in all 50 states.
On the other hand, the abortion pill ends an existing pregnancy, which is something that the morning-after pill cannot do. If you’re already pregnant, the morning-after pill and the medicine within it, levonorgestrel, cannot end the pregnancy or impact it in any way.
See more common morning-after pill myths here.
No. No one needs a prescription to purchase Julie or EC. However, some insurances require a prescription for reimbursement. Some pharmacies and places where EC is sold may tell you that you need a prescription. You do not.
The morning-after pill—like Julie— is one of the most common and convenient forms of emergency contraception. It’s an over-the-counter pill found at retail chains like Target, CVS, and Walmart nationwide. The morning-after pill is made of the hormone levonorgestrel, the same hormone found in many birth control pills and is FDA-approved and legal in all 50 states. When used correctly, it can significantly reduce your chance of getting pregnant. It doesn’t require a prescription, ID, or credit card, and can be purchased easily by anyone (you, your partner, your friend, or the nice guy from GoPuff). Learn more about the morning-after pill here.
The morning-after pill is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control.
You should take Julie if you had unprotected penis-to-vagina sex and:
- You didn’t use any form of birth control
- Your birth control method failed—e.g. the condom broke or slipped off
- You missed 2 or more doses of your regular birth control pill
- You’re not sure if he pulled out in time
Remember to take Julie ASAP to have the best chance of it working. It’s 89% effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but can be effective up to 120 hours after. Learn more about Julie here.
No. No one needs a prescription to purchase Julie or other brands of the morning-after pill. However, some insurance companies require a prescription for reimbursement. Some pharmacies and other places where emergency contraceptives are sold may tell you that you need a prescription. You do not.
Take the Julie tablet orally (swallowed). It is preferable to take it with water, and you can take it with or without food. Do not insert Julie vaginally.
Julie can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner it’s taken after unprotected sex, the better it works. Learn more about the morning-after pill effectiveness here.
No. We know this is a common misconception so let’s break it down. Using Julie (no matter how many times you take it) does not affect your fertility — and it will not prevent you from becoming pregnant in the future. You should feel free to use Julie whenever you think it’s necessary. Julie (and all EC) is not recommended as an ongoing form of birth control because it’s not as effective at preventing pregnancy as birth control methods like the IUD, patch, pill, ring, or shot. Also, frequent use of EC may cause periods to become irregular and unpredictable. That’s it!
You can get Julie at your local CVS, Target, Walmart or on our website.
No, that’s not recommended. Emergency contraceptives, like Julie, work when you take them after sex. That’s because emergency contraception prevents pregnancy by delaying when you ovulate, which is when an egg is released from the ovary. Sperm can live inside you for up to 5 days, so if you take Julie and then have unprotected sex, the medication might not be able to delay ovulation for the entire length of the sperm’s life, creating a potential for pregnancy.
Learn more about how Julie works here.
Yes. You are not alone. Often times, people who buy EC are feeling stressed out, concerned, embarrassed, confused or ashamed. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone, you have nothing to be ashamed about, and the Julie community is here to support you. By taking Julie after unprotected sex, you are taking control of your future and taking a safe, effective, approved method of preventing pregnancy.
Julie and other over-the-counter morning-after pills contain a high amount of levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone that’s also in some birth control pills. The extra amount of this hormone can affect your menstrual cycle and cause some side effects. Most side effects come and go within hours of taking the pill, but some can last up to a couple of days. Learn more about Julie's side effects here.
No. Levonorgestrel, the hormone in Julie, only pauses ovulation for a very short period of time. Over-the-counter morning-after pills like Julie won’t impact your ability to get pregnant later. Check out more myths about the morning-after pill here.
- Bleeding/spotting between periods
- Temporary changes to a period cycle (the next period comes early or late)
- Heavier or lighter next period
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast tenderness
For more information about Julie side effects and how long they last, read this.
Side effects like nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue can start within a few hours of taking the morning-after pill. If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional to find out if you should take another dose.
Most side effects are easily manageable, but sometimes they can be annoying. If that headache just won’t go away or your breasts are super tender, it’s safe to take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or any over-the-counter pain reliever—they won’t interact or interfere with levonorgestrel.
Listen to your body. After all, you’ve just taken a pill that affects your hormones. Feeling a little weird is normal. Rest, keep yourself hydrated, and give yourself some extra compassion.
No. Julie is not what is commonly called “the abortion pill” or “medication abortion”. The active ingredient in the abortion pill is mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing. Julie does not and will not impact an existing pregnancy, and works by delaying ovulation before there is a pregnancy.
The FDA recently made an update in December 2022 to remove any language suggesting that Julie may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. We are currently working on removing this outdated disclaimer but you may still see it present on some of our packaging in the meantime. Please disregard these statements because they are out of date. Julie will not impact an existing pregnancy.
Your cycle might be temporarily affected after taking Julie. That’s because there’s a higher dose of levonorgestrel compared to what’s found in daily birth control pills. It’s likely to impact your body’s natural hormone levels for a short period of time. This might result in an earlier or later period.
If your period is delayed beyond one week, it is possible you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare professional if positive. Your period might also be lighter or heavier than usual, or you might experience spotting in between cycles. If your schedule is impacted beyond a month or two, it’s worth checking in with your medical provider. Read more about how Julie might affect your period here.
No! The most common side effects are changes in your period, nausea, lower stomach pain, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and breast tenderness. These symptoms typically go away within a few hours and shouldn’t last more than a couple of days. If you have any side effects that bother you, call your healthcare professional. Read more about Julie's side effects here.
Yes. You are not alone. Oftentimes, people who buy EC are feeling stressed out, concerned, embarrassed, confused or ashamed. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone, you have nothing to be ashamed about, and the Julie community is here to support you. By taking Julie after unprotected sex, you are taking control of your future and taking a safe, effective, approved method of preventing pregnancy. If you want to share your experience and talk with others in our community, head to our Tik Tok, Instagram, and Quora space, After Sex, where all sex questions and commentary are welcome.
It depends. Some people get their period a few days earlier or later than they were expecting, while some have reported a delay in menstruation beyond a week. Stress can also delay your period, which can be heightened when taking emergency contraception. If your period is more than one week late, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re pregnant, but it is recommended to take a pregnancy test.
Waiting for your period to arrive can be stressful, especially after taking emergency contraception, but just know that it might be totally normal. A delayed or early period is actually one of the most common side effects of taking the morning-after pill. Levonorgestrel, the hormone in Julie, delays ovulation, which can move the timing of your cycle back a few days. Your period might also be lighter or heavier than usual, or you might experience spotting in between cycles. If your period is delayed beyond one week, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re pregnant, but it is recommended to take a pregnancy test. You can read more about how Julie might affect your period here.
The best thing to do after taking Julie is to rest and hydrate. If you’re feeling any side effects, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to make yourself feel more comfortable. A heating pad or hot water bottle can also help if you’re having stomach pain or cramping. If you can, a day on the couch with Netflix or a good book often does the trick. Read more about managing Julie side effects here.
Typically just for one menstrual cycle. Most people notice that their period starts either a few days early or a few days late, though some people have reported a two-week delay in menstruation. If you are not pregnant, your cycle should return to normal the next time you get your period. If changes last beyond a month or two, it’s best to check in with a doctor.
Read more about changes to your period after taking Julie here.
