Yep, It’s Possible to Bruise Your Cervix During Sex—but These 3 Tips Can Prevent It

A “bruised cervix” refers to an harm to that a part of your reproductive system, although the title itself is not solely correct. “Once you consider a bruise, you see this seen, bluish mark after some type of hit or trauma,” Rebecca Keith, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN with Pediatrix Medical Group in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, tells Effectively+Good. “The cervix does not essentially bruise, however it could develop into irritated, which might trigger ache.”

In keeping with Dr. Keith, this sort of harm is fairly uncommon; in truth, she’s by no means truly seen one in her 30 years of medical follow. However she is aware of cervix irritation may be uncomfortable—inflicting cramping and sharp pelvic, belly, or decrease again ache that may final anyplace from a number of hours to a couple days.

Undecided if this has occurred to you? Learn on to seek out out the attainable causes, and methods to deal with a bruised cervix if you end up in ache after a very tough romp within the sack.

How does a bruised cervix occur?

Nearly all cervical bruises occur from penetrative intercourse. “As a result of the cervix sits deep contained in the vagina, it is usually fairly properly protected,” Dr. Keith says.

However sure positions or arduous thrusting may trigger a penis or one other object to penetrate deeper than typical and probably hit the underside of the cervix. “Because the cervix has nerve endings, it will ship out a sign of sharp ache or discomfort,” says Dr. Keith.

Who’s extra in danger for cervix bruising?

Once more, cervix accidents are fairly uncommon. However in accordance with Dr. Keith, sure issues could make them extra doubtless. These elements can embrace the next:

• Deep penetrative positions: The doggy-style intercourse place is the probably offender, Dr. Keith says. Missionary together with your legs up or reverse cowgirl (you on high, dealing with away) may be fairly deep, too.
• Anatomical variations: About 25 p.c of individuals with a uterus have one thing known as a tilted or retroverted uterus—which suggests the organ is tipped backward in the direction of the rectum as an alternative of ahead in the direction of the stomach. This positioning may make it simpler for a penis or one other object to hit your cervix throughout intercourse, Dr. Keith says. Anatomically, it is utterly innocent and regular, she provides.
• Uterine prolapse: Uterine prolapse occurs when an individual’s pelvic ground muscle tissues develop into weak and unable to help their uterus, inflicting each the uterus and cervix to slide down into the vagina. This could make it simpler on your cervix to get injured throughout penetrative intercourse. The situation is extra widespread in individuals who’ve had a number of vaginal births or who’ve gone by way of menopause.
• Cervix an infection: Any type of an infection or irritation within the cervix could make the world extra delicate, probably setting the stage for painful intercourse. Infections can stem from issues like micro organism, yeast, or from a sexually transmitted an infection (STI).
• Lack of arousal: As you develop into extra “turned on” throughout intercourse, your cervix will pull additional up and away from the opening of the vagina—leaving extra room for issues like a penis or different penetrative object. Should you start to have penetrative intercourse earlier than this occurs (suppose: earlier than you are absolutely aroused), you may up the percentages for an harm, Dr. Keith provides.

Is remedy obligatory for a bruised cervix?

Fortunately, remedy just isn’t typically obligatory for a bruised cervix harm. “That is one thing that often goes away in a day or two by itself,” Dr. Keith says. That stated in case your harm stems from an underlying difficulty—like a cervix an infection or uterine prolapse—addressing the basis trigger by visiting your healthcare supplier won’t solely make intercourse extra comfy however aid you keep away from re-injuring your self.

The most effective factor to do within the meantime? Should you discover cervix ache (or any ache) throughout intercourse, cease straight away and chorus from sure sexual actions till your signs have gone away. Do not put anything in your vagina both, together with tampons. “Probably the most highly effective remedy is simply pelvic relaxation,” Dr. Keith provides.

Should you’re nonetheless in discomfort, attempt at-home cures like draping a heating pad over your decrease stomach or gently massaging that space. You can too take over-the-counter ache relievers like Motrin, Aleve, and even Midol to assist ease cramping, says Dr. Keith.

3 tricks to forestall a bruised cervix

Should you’ve had a bruised cervix up to now, there are some things you are able to do to forestall it from occurring once more sooner or later. This is what Dr. Keith recommends:

• Change up your intercourse positions: Should you’re having intercourse with a accomplice, attempt positions that may keep away from or restrict deep penetration. For instance, attempt decreasing your legs should you’re in missionary, mendacity side-to-side whereas your accomplice penetrates you from behind, or approaching high so you may management how deep issues get. Should you’re utilizing a intercourse toy, go for objects that will not go as deep.
• Save loads of time for foreplay: To keep away from feeling any irritation or dryness whereas doing the deed, be sure you’re turned on by permitting for loads of foreplay time. Talk to your accomplice what you need and want, and be sure you’re each absolutely prepped for intercourse.
• Handle underlying situations: If intercourse hurts typically otherwise you’re having different signs (like pelvic ache when not having intercourse, uncommon vaginal discharge, or bother peeing or pooping), these might be indicators you might have an underlying well being drawback that must be handled—like a cervix an infection or uterine prolapse. Should you suppose this may be the case, schedule an appointment to see a healthcare supplier.

When to see a healthcare supplier

Should you expertise gentle pelvic or cervix ache one time throughout intercourse, it doubtless is not trigger for concern—particularly if it goes away shortly after. But when intercourse is usually (or all the time) painful, the discomfort lasts a number of days, or you’re bleeding after intercourse (that is not from menstruation), it is best to let your healthcare supplier know, Dr. Keith says. They’ll run assessments to be sure you haven’t got an an infection or different well being situation, and supply correct remedy to alleviate your signs.

FAQ

Can a bruised cervix have an effect on fertility?

A bruised cervix itself will not impression your capability to get pregnant, Dr. Keith says. However an underlying situation like cervicitis (aka a cervical an infection) may have an effect on your fertility if it is not handled. So search medical care should you’re having frequent ache throughout intercourse or different cervicitis signs like irregular vaginal discharge, uncommon recognizing, or irritation round your vagina or vulva.

What are the indicators of a broken cervix?

Should you injured your cervix throughout intercourse, you may expertise sharp pelvic ache or belly or decrease again discomfort that lasts anyplace from a couple of minutes to a couple days, Dr. Keith says. The issue sometimes clears up after a day or two with pelvic relaxation—i.e., refraining from sexual exercise.

Ought to I be anxious a couple of bruised cervix?

In keeping with Dr. Keith, there isn’t any have to be anxious a couple of bruised cervix. Whereas it may be painful, it’s fairly uncommon, so that you need not stress an excessive amount of about getting one, she provides. That stated, there are a ton of different issues that may probably make intercourse harm, together with vaginal infections, endometriosis (a situation the place endometrial tissue grows exterior of the uterus), or vaginal dryness—all of that are value addressing. So should you’re experiencing ache, all the time let your healthcare supplier know.