Bruised Cervix – Why the Excruciating Cramps After Sex!

Although it’s not an everyday occurrence, a bruised cervix is something that happens to women when they engage in vigorous intercourse. The cervix is a small canal that connects the uterus and the vagina. If you have never experienced a cervix bruising, then congratulations; because this is not an injury that you want to have. 

A bruised cervix happens when the small canal between the uterus and the vagina becomes sensitive, causing pain. The pain can be different in people. Some women only experience slight discomfort and pain, while others go through excruciating cramps. 

How is the Cervix Bruised?

When a woman partakes in intense sex, the cervix is likely to experience trauma (1). This happens during penetration. It can be from a penis or a sex toy. When the object that is penetrating the vagina hits the cervix continuously, it causes the cervix to experience trauma and get bruised. 

Deep penetration is the only likely explanation for a bruised cervix since it is situated at the far end of the vagina.

Chances of cervical bruising are high in some sex positions. Positions like the doggy style can make deep penetration easier and are more likely to cause bruising. 

What Does a Bruised Cervix Feel Like?

Generally, cervical bruising causes pain. But how it will feel for an individual depends on the level of bruising that has taken place. The level of pain reported can also depend on a person’s pain tolerance level. 

The position of the cervix may change during the course of menstruation and ovulation. The cervix can be higher or lower according to it. The cervix rises with sexual arousal as well. This happens because the vagina expands when the blood flow to the pelvic region increases. The cervix is more susceptible to bruising when it is lower. 

How a bruised cervix feels is vastly different among women. For some women, it is extremely painful accompanied by bleeding or spotting. Some also report nausea from extreme cramps. In some others, there is only mild discomfort that usually passes in a couple of days.

Other Symptoms of a Bruised Cervix

When your cervix is continuously hit, you are definitely going to feel it. Some women experience pain during sexual intercourse in certain sex positions. They can try to avoid such positions. A few other symptoms of a bruised cervix are:

Cramps or soreness in the region

The cervix becomes tender and sensitive when the object penetrating the vagina repeatedly bumps it. Sometimes it can feel like abdominal pain or a period cramp. Or it can be a lot more intense than menstrual cramps. 

Nausea

Cervical bruising can induce nausea (2). The intense cramps will tire out the body and make the person nauseated. 

Painful intercourse

The cervical bruising from sex will be painful in itself. But having intercourse after it will only hurt more. The cervix will remain sore and sensitive until the bruising heals. 

Spotting

Spotting is pretty common after vigorous sex. If the cervix has experienced trauma, then there are possibilities of spotting.

Bleeding

Bleeding is not a common symptom of a bruised cervix. But, in cases of intense cervical trauma like rough sex, or sexual assault, bleeding also happens.

Bruised Cervix – How Long Does It Last?

Again, the healing time will depend on the severity of the cervical injury. If the pain persists for more than a week, make sure to see a doctor. They will be able to rule out infection or other complications after a pelvic examination.

A bruised cervix is not usually a permanent injury. In the majority of cases, cervical bruising heals by itself.

Do You Need to Treat a Bruised Cervix?

In the majority of cases, cervical bruising heals itself. If you avoid vaginal penetration, the bruising should heal on its own in a couple of days. Until it heals it is important not to engage in any particularly strenuous activities or any type of sexual activity that would hinder your lower body’s healing.

In case it doesn’t go away quickly, then you might need to seek treatment. If the pain in your pelvic region doesn’t subside or if it repeatedly hurts while having sex, then you might need to go see a doctor. 

Who is at Risk of Developing a Bruised Cervix?

Anyone with a cervix that engages in vigorous sex is at risk of developing a bruised cervix. Cervical bruising isn’t very common, but it is a common sex injury that people neglect.

With any kind of deep sexual penetration, the cervix experiences trauma which will cause pain and discomfort (3). People who engage in rough sex are often the ones to have sex injuries. The nether regions can be sensitive to force. However, you can prevent cervical bruising. 

Are Some People More Likely to Experience This?

The positioning of the cervix is different for different people. So some people are more susceptible to cervical bruising than others. Sexual arousal also plays a big part in cervical bruising. 

The position of the uterus and vaginal structure will not be the same as the next woman. When you are sexually aroused, the opening of your vagina will be away from your cervix. On average, the distance between the vaginal opening to the cervix is between 3-7 inches in the state of arousal. 

In some women with Cervical ectropion (4), there is a chance of experiencing a bruised cervix. Many women will have no symptoms. But some will experience vaginal discharge with a little blood, bleeding after sex, and pain during or after sex.

How To Prevent Future Bruising?

Since vigorous sex is the number one reason for the cervix to experience trauma, the best thing that would prevent it would be to be more careful during it. You can also make sure that you are fully aroused when any kind of penetration takes place. Engage in more foreplay for full arousal.

Open communication during sex would also be a good way to avoid cervical bruising. Talk to your partner about what hurts and when it hurts. If certain positions are particularly painful, then try to avoid them as much as possible. If intercourse ever becomes uncomfortable, abstain from sex (penetrative) for a while or change things up till you are comfortable. 

Explore positions like cowgirl or reverse cowgirl where you will have more control over the depth and pace of penetration. This will lessen the chances of a cervix bruise.

The use of lubricant will also make it much more comfortable for you. Women who experience vaginal dryness can either get treatment to increase estrogen or use lubrication. Lube will reduce friction and will help to avoid pain during penetration. You have to be aware of what position is getting your cervix bruised, then you can try to avoid it. 

FAQ 

Final Verdict

Sex injuries are not unheard of. A bruised cervix is one of the most common sex injuries for a woman. It tends to happen when the penis or sex toy penetrating the vagina bumps into the cervix resulting in bruising. 

In most cases, the bruising tends to heal on its own without requiring any treatment or medication. However, repeated bruising may lead to further complications.

It is possible to prevent cervical bruising. Once you know bruised cervix causes, be aware of what works for your body and communicate openly with your partner. Make sure that you give yourself time to heal before engaging in further physically straining activities. If the pain of cervical bruising isn’t subsiding or if the intercourse is repeatedly painful, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor.