My girlfriend keeps bleeding after fingering

Vaginal bleeding after fingering can happen for a few different reasons. So don’t immediately start calling 999 if your finger looks like a crime scene. Whilst it may be a little worrying or uncomfortable, in most cases there is nothing seriously wrong. If anything, it might be a sign of an STI. Either way, it’s always worth a visit to a GUM clinic to check for signs of vaginal infections. You can find out more about those here. 

Why is my girlfriend bleeding after fingering?

Sometimes if a vagina is fingered a little too roughly or someone has long nails, the skin could get scratched which could cause some postcoital bleeding. It’s also possible that if the scratch doesn’t get a chance to heal properly before the next fingering, the bleeding might still be there. So if you’re thinking ‘my girlfriend keeps bleeding during fingering’ maybe you should take a break for a while and see if the problem persists.

Something to keep in mind is that vaginal dryness will not help this situation. So you might wanna pop to your nearest drugstore for some lube before the next session. We should also mention that in any sexual situation, you should always make your partner feel safe. Let them know that if they are in any pain or discomfort when you are being intimate, they can tell you to stop. That’s basically consent 101. It can be given and withdrawn at any time when engaged in any sexual act. 

To find out more about sexual consent, click here.

Fingering and the hymen

Time for a light biology class on female reproductive organs. The hymen is a ring of thin skin which covers some of the vaginal opening. When it stretches, it may feel a little uncomfortable or hurt slightly. This is another possible cause of the vaginal bleeding after sex (or any sexual activities) your girlfriend is experiencing. When a woman has something in her vagina for the first few times, her hymen will get stretched. The stretching makes some women experience a small amount of bleeding, as the hymen may tear a little. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

It’s also possible for the hymen to get stretched or even torn by other sexual activities, such as fingering. So there’s no reason to panic. The whole ‘my girlfriend keeps bleeding during fingering’ scare might just need some time to heal. However, if there’s still blood after a week or so, then we’d advise going to see your GP just in case. 

Signs of infection

Bleeding after fingering or other sexual activities can also be a sign of a vaginal infection. There are many different types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and they can be spread in different ways, not just through penetrative sex. If you or your girlfriend have never had sex or any other form of sexual contact before this, then this is less of a concern.

On the other hand, if your girlfriend is worried that she may have an infection, she can get advice and testing at a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. GUM services are attached to or within local hospitals, and are usually separate, discreet departments. Plus, GUM consultations are free and confidential, which means that no one will be told about your visit, unless you want them to be. It might also be worth checking for cervical cancer and doing pelvic exams, if the bleeding keeps happening without an explanation.

What you can do to help

Going back to your situation, it sounds as though it would be a good idea for your girlfriend to speak to a nurse or doctor (GP) about her concerns. Honestly, it’s the only way to find out what is causing the bleeding for sure. You could always go along to a service with your girlfriend for some moral support. Only if she wants you there though. Remember, this is her body we’re talking about. 

Your girlfriend can also get medical advice. This can be from a doctor at a Brook Centre, youth clinic or a family planning clinic. These types of services are 100% used to speaking to young people about body concerns or anything to do with sex. They’ll also make sure that your situation will be handled sensitively and in confidence so there’s nothing to worry about. To get started on the process, read about finding a GP here.