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Question:
i am an 18year old female. I bleed after masturbation, even if i don't orgasm. The bleeding usually lasts for a few days but on occassion has continued for up to 3 weeks. I am positive that it occurs afte masturbation because i have gone without for months at a time and the bleeding doesn't occur, but as soon as i masturbate again the bleeding starts within a day.
I am wondering what could be the cause of this. There are a few factors that could be involved: I was raped by my father as a child, and i have von Willebrands disorder.
My GP has said it is due to the von Willebrand's disorder combined with psychological issues (she is aware of my sexual history) but i am unconvinced because, as far as i can recall, it has only occurred for the past 3 or 4 years. i had a pap smear about 2 years ago and it was all-clear.
i haven't had any other sexual partner and therefore i don't know if it would happen after sex but i assume that it would.
Do you have any opinion as to what may be the underlying cause?
I am frightened that there may be some scarring or that i have cancer.
Could this result in an inability to get pregnant (at some time in the future) because i would expell the fertilised egg with the blood?
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Answer:
by Annette Owens: (06/25/2004)
In your additional information you told me that you have consulted about this problem with both your general practitioner and your psychiatrist. I am glad that you have shared your sexual health concern with your health professionals and I doubt that I can shed much additional light on the reasons why you are bleeding following masturbation. However, I believe that I can tell you about some resources that may help you.
Von Willebrand’s disease is a relatively common bleeding disorder. Since some of the other readers will be unfamiliar with von Willebrand’s disease, let me just clarify that this is usually a mild disease, which causes prolonged bleeding due to the fact that a protein (von Willebrand factor) important for stopping bleeding is either missing or not functioning correctly.
You mentioned that you have experienced sexual abuse in your past. Our expert Wendy Maltz has much information and advice about healing from sexual abuse on her page here on SexualHealth.com (see links on the right). It sounds as if you are already underway on your own journey towards sexual healing, and you have started to masturbate in order to get to know your own body. You stated “…but as a result of bleeding after masturbation I have come to view it as a dirty, bad act and would like to change this view.” I think masturbation is indeed a very positive activity for you, especially if you enjoy it. Do not force yourself to do it, but try to explore what feels good. I would encourage you to use a mirror while you explore your genitals in order to learn more about your own anatomy. You can find lots of good information about the female anatomy on the website www.The-Clitoris.com (see link on the right).
How do you masturbate now? Can you see where the bleeding comes from? Are you using very much force? Are you inserting any sharp objects into your vagina? Is your hymen still more or less intact? If you do not exactly know where your hymen is located, go to www.The-Clitoris.com for this information. Are you using any lubricant? This will very often reduce friction and the chance of tissue irritation and bleeding.
To answer your two final questions about cancer and fertility: Since you are having regular Pap smears, you are following the recommendations to prevent cervical cancer. I would think that bleeding following masturbation originates from external sources, such as the entry to your vagina. This should not interfere with fertility, since a fertilized egg implants and develops deep inside the uterus. Also, if this bleeding is related to remnants of your hymen it might not be a persistent problem.
I hope that I have given you at least some additional suggestions to what your health providers have already told you. Please do not hesitate to ask me any further questions.
Good luck with everything!
Annette Owens, MD PhDReviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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