Ask The Expert Archives Sex & STD's

A: Postcoital bleeding may result from trauma to the vagina, the cervix or to existing lesions such as cervicitis (inflammation of the uterine cervix). Go to your gynecologist.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: This could be related to coital trauma. If it is persistent go to your gynecologist...

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It's OK as long as you accept it . There is no medical contraindication.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Getting pregnant in your situation? Very unlikely!

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Pain with intercourse, pelvic pain and recurrent vulvar sore my be due to the presence of an actual benign lesion (e.g., vulvovaginitis). My advice to you is that you should discuss this with your doctor (gyn).

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Don't worry, be happy. There's nothing to be concerned about.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: These symptoms and your concerns need to be evaluated personally with your Gyn.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation, but this date is only approximate. Each woman may have a different cycle length.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Get a 2nd opinion; bleeding during with intercourse should not happen.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Very unlikely.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: The only way to know is to be seen by an OB and a histological exam of the piece of skin you are worried about.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Acute infection of the vulva and vagina (vulvovaginitis) may have a variety of causes. Ingestion of sex steroids (pill) and broad spectrum antimicrobials may predispose to overgrowth candida (yeast). Allergies (scented or flavored douches, deodorant soaps or powders, contraceptive foam, jellies, creams) may produce symptoms of vulvovaginitis. You should get a complete general physical and gynecological exam.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: There's not an exact normal size for the human clitoris. As with many things in the human body, it can vary. There are some diseases in which one of the features is an enlarged clitoris. You shouldn't worry. There's no such thing as "female ejaculation".

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Could be yeast, Trichomonas or bacterial vaginosis. Remember that your sexual partner usually must be treated. Go see your OB/GYN!

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Go see a gynecologist for complete exam.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: You should seek counseling. This is most likely related to your past experience. Consult a sexologist.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It is highly unlikely. To ease your mind, you could take a home pregnancy test.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Pregnancy is unlikely. A reliable pregnancy test and doctor exam can provide the diagnosis.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Orgasmic dysfunction can be due to organic or psychogenic factors. You should consult a sexologist.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It is possible. Withdrawal method ("pull out") isn't an effective contraceptive method. Get a pregnancy test.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Vulvovaginitis (VV) is a common cause of painful intercourse. VV can cause a burning sensation within the vagina. Allergy to the semen (uncommon) and some medical conditions (e.g, fibroids) also can cause painful intercourse.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Oral Contraceptives are the most effective method of contraception.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It could be urinary tract infection (UTI) or PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). Go to your gynecologist.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: The best information will come from the urologist once he checks you out.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It could be an allergy to the semen.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It might be due to trauma to existing lesions (vagina/cervix, e.g., cervicitis, polyps).

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It's uncommon. but yes it could be possible. Sexual intercourse may cause a burning sensation.

Marta Mendez MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: The way you describe the pain, it might be inadequate lubrication. You might try something like KY Jelly or Ortho-Gynol Jelly. Make sure that it is water based. If that doesn't work, you need to see your Gynecologist.

R. Daniel Braun, MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: It is really impossible to say without doing an exam. One of the things that will cause Post Coital Bleeding (PCB) {Bleeding after sex} is an irritation on the cervix, another is HPV infection, another is cervical dysplasia. A pap smear and possibly a colposcopy are indicated. 

R. Daniel Braun, MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Use condoms, either male or female variety to keep the semen from coming into contact with the vaginal mucosa. Still use birth control pills for contraception. They work much better than condoms alone for contraception.

R. Daniel Braun, MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: The list of causes of dyspareunia (painful Intercourse) is long. It does indeed include endometriosis and fibroids as well as some of the earlier stages of Interstitial cystitis. A visit to a physician and testing would be needed to make a diagnosis.

R. Daniel Braun, MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: The causes for this could make up a long list. Endometriosis would have to be on it along with normal response to prostaglandins from the semen being deposited in the vagina. Strained relationship with significant other, lack of lubrication, lack of sufficient foreplay, stress in your life, etc could all be related.

R. Daniel Braun, MD, OBGYN.net Co-Chair Young Woman Editorial Advisory Board
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

Q: Will sex "doggy style" enlarge a woman's hips?
I have heard that sex "doggy-style" will make your hips much larger and they won't go back to how they used to be. Is this true?

A: Nope, sexual positions have nothing to do with how your body develops. Two separate things. Don't worry.

Pat Sonnenstuhl, ARNP, CNM, MS, OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: Are you using any spermicides that might cause a chemical reaction? Is your partner taking any antibiotics ? Do you have a yeast or vaginal infection such as bacterial vaginosis? Does your partner. All of these can contribute to burning. If this is something new, try to identify what has changed in your environment: new soap? new laundry soap? New clothing?
If these symptoms persist, then you need to be evaluated further by your health care provider to help identify the specific cause. Here's a few web sites you might find helpful:
PainfulVulvodyniaDyspareuniaPat Sonnenstuhl, ARNP, CNM, MS, OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

A: This is rather difficult for me to answer, as I am not entirely clear what your provider is referring to. I think your best bet is to call her and get the specifics about the condition she is describing. Then you can do further research yourself. Vagismus is what comes to mind, but I am not quite sure that is what she is talking about. Did she recommend anything you could do to improve the tissue strength and decrease the pain. It seems to me there would be something you could use in this situation.

I think as far as external pain, this would explain it to me. If you are also having pain inside, perhaps that is related to the position of your uterus. For example, a retroverted uterus can cause pain during intercourse. If your uterus is curled backwards instead of forwards, this can cause more painful intercourse in certain positions. The way to get around this is to try different positions with your partner. For example, you on top will give you better control and also takes the pressure off the uterus. Here are a few links that you mind find helpful:
PainfulVulvodyniaDyspareuniaPat Sonnenstuhl, ARNP, CNM, MS, OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor
P.S. Remember that this is for educational purposes only.

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