Bleeding after sex, possible pregnancy?

When ovulation occurs and there is no conception, the bleeding that follows approximately 2 weeks later you have come to recognize as menstruation. The withdrawal of both estrogen and progesterone causes the endometrium to be shed. It is useful to also know that there are several normal instances of bleeding in a cycle. Other types of normal bleeding would be due to the high levels of estrogen (Break through bleeding) or withdrawal of estrogen (Withdrawal bleeding). In the case of break through bleeding a developing mucus pattern would be observed before the bleed, indicating a rise in estrogen level and a very fertile phase of the cycle. Sometimes in long cycles a prolonged slightly raised estrogen level will cause the endometrium to grow and may also result in bleeding when estrogen levels are withdrawn, even if the peak of fertility does not occur. Another type of bleed and the subject of your question is, I think, Implantation Bleed. It is quite normal and does not indicate that there is a problem. In early pregnancy from about 6 – 12 days after conception the implantation of the embryo may result in spotting or even heavier bleeding. Implantation bleeding may sometimes continue intermittently for some weeks. In the absence of pain or other abnormal symptoms the bleed is probably not related to illness, trauma or the act of intercourse just before onset of spotting. Since you don’t mention any observations of your cycle it is difficult to determine the type of bleed. Without knowledge of the whole cycle it is difficult to say if conception occurred. The bleed may fall in any one of these categories. Understanding your body changes using the Billings Ovulation Method can empower you with good self knowledge of what your normal pattern is. In addition you will be able to recognize an abnormality, be it bleeding or discharge, and seek medical attention. Observations of the sensation at the vulva and keeping a chart will be helpful for understanding each cycle in order to choose the optimum days for the blessing you both are hoping for! I wish you the best of the joys of parenthood.

Angie Frausto