Sexual Health

Bruised Cervix – Why the Excruciating Cramps After Sex!

Intense pain after sex can indicate a bruised cervix. Though not usually cause for concern, what’s important is to know how to deal with the pain while also ruling out other complications.


Written by Rachel Davis

Medically Reviewed by Aria Raina

On Jan 17, 2024 – 7 minutes read

feature- Bruised Cervix

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. 

Bruised Cervix

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

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. 

What Does A Bruised Cervix Feel Like

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:

Nausea

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.

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. 

Things you can do to ease pain from a bruised cervix:

  • Use a heating pad to give you relief from the cramps.
  • Sit on a pillow until the pain subsides.
  • Refrain from wearing really tight clothes that will press on your lower abdomen. 
  • Massage your abdomen and lower back gently.
  • Over-the-counter pain medications can be used for temporary relief.

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.

prevent cervix bruising

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. 

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 

1. Does it hurt to pee with a bruised cervix?

There will be cramping when you bruise your cervix. It shouldn’t hurt while peeing. However, this might differ for people.

2. Can a bruised cervix cause infertility?

No, cervical bruising will not affect fertility. It may indirectly hinder conception if the woman develops intolerance to sex.

3. Does a bruised cervix feel like a UTI?

A bruised cervix often resembles menstrual cramps. With a urinary infection you will feel a burning sensation while you pee.

4. Bruised cervix, how long does it last?

A bruised cervix should heal in about a week.

5. Can a bruised cervix delay the period?

It should not delay your period. But consult a doctor if you feel like a bruised cervix is making your period late.

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. 

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d). Understanding the Impact of Trauma. [Online] Available at:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/
  2. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Nausea & Vomiting. [Online] Available at:

    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-nausea--vomiting
  3. WebMD LLC. (2005 - 2022). Painful Sex in Women (Dyspareunia). [Online] Available at:

    https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/female-pain-during-sex
  4. Aggarwal, Pearl. (2020). "Cervical Ectropion." Available at:

    https://europepmc.org/article/nbk/nbk560709

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Rachel

Hi! I am Rachel; a mom and a hair and makeup artist. I am very old-school and I love sharing my experiences on parenting, marriage, and daily life hacks. What is more fun than that! I believe that to take care of anything, you have to love and give your heart and soul to it. Writing has been my passion ever since I was little and it’s the best way I express myself – my thoughts and dreams. Here, I write about everything that I love.

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