Bleeding during intercourse

I no longer have periods and am 61 but in great physical condition.  I was very sexually active in a relationship until October.  The last 4 times we had intercourse it was painful and there was some bleeding.  This had never happened to me before.  After 3 months apart, today we resumed our relationship and had intercourse.  The same thing happened... pain and bleeding!  I had a culture done back in October when this first happened, and the Physician's Assistant who did my exam said she saw a sore spot just inside my vagina on the left side.  She took a culture and it came back negative.  I thought the problem was gone, but now after 3 months of not having any sex, the problem is still there.  I don't know what to do.  I'm afraid this will stop me permanently from making love, and that is a terrible thought!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I agree that there must be a better alternative!

If you were my patient, I would want to do a transvaginal ultrasound to look at the endometrium (uterine lining) and be absolutely sure the bleeding is not from the uterus.

If you do have a lesion on the inside of the vagina, it should be biopsied.  A persistant bleeding lesion needs a diagnosis!

If after all, no cause was discovered, I would offer the option of vaginal estrogen.  There are many many different preparations--Vagifem, E string, Premarin cream to name a few.  It may be that you have atrophic vaginitis from low hormone levels, and vaginal estrogen can alleviate that with only very minimal amounts of hormone absorbed into your system.

I wish you and your "friend" all the best!

Dr B