IUDs are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but can cause pain and bleeding with certain sexual positions. Using lubricant and changing to a different position for sex may help reduce this.
Rough sex may also cause your IUD to shift or come loose. Unless it’s accompanied by other early signs of pregnancy, this should not cause concern.
What is an IUD?
An IUD is a tiny, T-shaped device that your medical provider inserts into your uterus. It’s about the size of a quarter and can be made out of plastic or a small amount of copper or, for hormonal IUDs, levonorgestrel (also called progestin).
IUDs can last up to 12 years. The copper IUD works by keeping sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg, while the hormonal IUDs work in two ways: they thicken cervical mucus to keep sperm from entering the uterus, and they release progestin that thins the lining of your uterus to make it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
It’s possible for your partner to feel the strings of your IUD during penetrative sex, but it shouldn’t be painful or intense. If you want to be extra sure, you can always use a lubricant.
IUDs are an effective birth control method for 99% of people who get them. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any problems with it, including pain or bleeding after sex. They can check that your IUD is in the right place or recommend another birth control method for you. You should also talk to your provider if you’re trying to get pregnant or think your IUD might have moved. They can give you a hysterosalpingogram, or ultrasound of your uterus, to see if your IUD is where it’s supposed to be.
What causes bleeding after sex with an IUD?
Bleeding after sex is often nothing to worry about but it can also be a sign of STIs and other serious conditions. The good news is that, in most cases, bleeding after sex with an IUD is not a sign of pregnancy.
The IUD is a small, T-shaped device your doctor inserts into your uterus for birth control. It prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. There are two main types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. Both prevent pregnancy by releasing progestin, which thins the uterus lining and thickens cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
If you have a hormonal IUD, the hormones it releases may cause spotting for the first few months after insertion, including during or after sex. It’s important to use lubricant during sexual activity and never grab hold of or tug on the strings that connect to your IUD, as this can dislodge it.
Penetrative sex with an IUD is not likely to dislodge or move your IUD, as it sits deeper in the uterus than the cervix and vagina. However, it’s possible that sex could dislodge your IUD if you have a particularly enthusiastic sex position or experience, and the sex tool might not enter your cervix correctly. This could lead to the IUD becoming dislodged or, in rare cases, poking through the uterine wall (which is called perforation). You should see your doctor if this happens to you.
Is bleeding after sex with an IUD a sign of pregnancy?
There are a few reasons for bleeding after sex, including menstruation and pregnancy. If the sex occurs during the mid-point of your menstrual cycle, or you’re not using birth control, it could be implantation bleeding, which is when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus wall. Bleeding after sex is also sometimes caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, that can pass from partners during sex. Bleeding after sex may also be a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which causes inflammation of the uterus and cervix.
Light bleeding after sex isn’t always a cause for concern, but it’s important to report it to your doctor. It could be a sign of an infection, or it may indicate that your IUD is no longer working effectively, such as when the lining of your uterus thins, your cervical mucus thickens, or you stop ovulating.
The IUD is a great choice for women who want a form of birth control that lasts up to 12 years and can make your periods lighter. It’s especially helpful for women who have had trouble with other forms of birth control, such as the pill. The IUD is small, easy to insert, and doesn’t require daily maintenance. It also has a high efficacy rate, meaning that you’re less likely to get pregnant with it than without it.
Is bleeding after sex with an IUD a sign of PID?
If the woman has a hormonal IUD, spotting after sexual activity is more likely to be pregnancy bleeding or implantation bleeding. The doctor will want to check the IUD’s placement and may order a pelvic ultrasound. They will also want the woman to use a backup method of birth control until the spotting stops.
PID is caused by bacteria that enter the uterus from the vagina and cervix. These bacteria can cause an infection in the womb, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It is most commonly caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is important to practice safe sex and use condoms to prevent STIs from entering the vagina and causing infection. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and advise the woman to use a backup birth control method until the antibiotics are finished.
The IUD resides inside the uterus from the cervix to the cervical canal, with strong plastic material strings that can be used to remove it on a later date. When a woman has an IUD, it is very rare for her to experience heavy bleeding after sex. She should keep tabs on the amount of spotting she has and call her doctor if it is very heavy or ongoing. The doctor will also perform a pelvic exam and pap smear to rule out other causes of the spotting, such as a vulva laceration or infection.
