FAQsQuestionI had sex for the first time and afterwards I was sore and bleeding. I felt a bit better but continued to bleed. Later when I had sex again I started bleeding again. I wasn't that sore, but is this normal or is something wrong? Answer In women who haven't had sex the vaginal opening is usually partially covered by a piece of skin called the hymen. In some women the hymen is thin and very easily pushed aside - in fact in some cases it is completely broken by tampon use or sporting activities or just normal daily activity long before the first time someone has sex. Many of these women will not bleed or feel any discomfort at all the first time they have sex. In others the hymen is much thicker and in very rare cases it so tough that a doctor must make a small nick in it using local anesthetic to allow intercourse or tampon use at all. The bleeding and pain you noticed is possibly caused by the penis stretching or pushing through your hymen. The hymen may not have been completely pushed aside the first time you had sex. When you had sex the second time it may have torn it a little more or reopened the area of healing. So what you have described seems pretty normal, - but it would be unusual though for pain and bleeding to keep happening every time you have sex. If that happens it would definitely be worth seeing your doctor to check that there are no other physical problems or infections. Sometimes STIs (sexually transmissible infections) like Chlamydia can cause bleeding after sex. Most of the STIs are very easily treated with antibiotics, so it is good to find out exactly what is happening. The other thing to remember is that the hymen is really only part of the deal when it comes to pleasurable first time sex. Unfortunately for many of us the first time we have sex often doesn't really live up to expectations. Sometimes the first sexual experience takes place in an uncomfortable spot or where you are worried you might be interrupted. Sometimes it's over so quickly that it's impossible to get aroused enough for the vagina to make sufficient lubrication to make sex comfortable. For instance, did you know that while the average guy can get aroused enough for sex in about three or four minutes it takes most women more like 15 minutes of stimulation to reach the same level of arousal. Sometimes an inexperienced partner can be a bit rough or not pay that much attention to doing the things that you find pleasurable and that make you relaxed and ready for vaginal sex. Sometimes worries about pregnancy or sexually transmissible infections can be an issue. It's no wonder that sex the first time can leave many women feeling disappointed, unsatisfied, worried, guilty, embarrassed and sore. Fortunately, for most of us it gets better as we become more comfortable with ourselves and our partner and especially when we find out what we like doing sexually -and what we don't!. For more information on first time sex http://www.fpnsw.org.au/sex-matters/faq/sex_20020327.html Further reading: |
