Can using a vibrator make you bleed

Q: Is it normal to bleed after pleasure?

In fact, its likely normal and the result of minor scratches or cuts in the vagina. However, if you experience heavy bleeding after being fingered or the bleeding lasts longer than three days, see your doctor. If the bleeding is also accompanied by pain or discomfort, make an appointment.

As long as you’re enjoying a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, it's perfectly safe to masturbate or use sex toys if you follow a few basic precautions. Some women find their sex drive skyrockets during pregnancy while others may lose interest so need a bit more stimulation and excitement. In either case vibrators are other sex toys can be a safe option for a more satisfying sex life in pregnancy.

Table of Contents Show

When can I masturbate or use sex toys in pregnancy?
When should I not use sex toys in pregnancy?
What precautions should I take when using sex toys during pregnancy?
Can having an Orgasim cause bleeding?
Is it normal to bleed after pleasure?
Why do I bleed after stimulation?

When can I masturbate or use sex toys in pregnancy?

As long as you don't have a high-risk pregnancy the good news is that carrying on your usual sex life on your own or with your partner, won't cause any harm at all during any trimester (Medical News Today 2019, NHS 2019). A healthy sex life can be an important part of keeping your relationship alive and strong. However, as your pregnancy progresses, you may want to try different things other than penetrative sex to carry on feeling satisfied and intimate ( Fernández-Carrasco 2020).

Masturbation, either on your own or with your partner, can be particularly satisfying if your growing bump means your preferred sex positions are uncomfortable now. It needn’t be any different during pregnancy than at any other time. Similarly, if you like to use sex toys, there’s no reason to stop now.

In fact sex toys can give you an extra helping hand if your sex drive is up and down. Many women also find they lose interest in sex of any kind during pregnancy, and it's quite common for pregnant women to have less sex than before they conceived. This can be due to feeling tired or nauseous, especially during the first trimester, or because of worries or concerns about how their body is changing ( Fernández-Carrasco 2020).

But your desire may rise thanks to increased levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. On top of this, the extra blood flow that pregnancy brings to the vulva and vagina can make you more responsive to touch ( Fernández-Carrasco 2020).

So, sex toys can either liven up a flagging sex drive by making things more exciting and satisfying, or they can meet an increasing need. In fact, you may find that using sex toys is more sexually satisfying than before. The increased blood flow to your genitals along with hormonal changes can make orgasms more intense ( Fernández-Carrasco 2020).

Foreplay can be enhanced by sex toys too. If your partner is male, and you’ve gone off full, penetrative sex during pregnancy, sex toys can help you maintain a loving intimacy.

When should I not use sex toys in pregnancy?

Your doctor or midwife may recommend that you avoid sexual activity of any kind, including masturbation and using sex toys, if:

you have a history of cervical weakness
you have a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia)
you had heavy bleeding during your pregnancy
you had a vaginal infection during your pregnancy
you are having more than one baby
your partner has a sexually transmitted infection

(NHS 2019)
If you’ve experienced vaginal bleeding, talk to your midwife or GP before using sex toys, or having sex. A little bleeding after sex may be nothing to worry about, and may be caused by the cervix being irritated. But it’s always best to be cautious. So tell your midwife or GP if you have any bleeding at any time (NHS 2019).

Be aware that an orgasm can trigger mild cramps, known as Braxton Hicks contractions, which will slowly fade away (Medical News Today 2019). These are normal and nothing to worry about unless they become regular and more painful. In this case, contact your midwife.

What precautions should I take when using sex toys during pregnancy?

Keeping your sex toys clean will protect you against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and vaginal infections. That’s important during pregnancy because an untreated vaginal infection may increase the risk of having your baby too early. You might not be aware if you have an infection as many people don’t have any symptoms, so it's important to maintain good hygiene at all times (NHS 2019). Here’s how to keep your sex toys safe:

clean them all over (including the handle and any buttons) with warm, soapy water after every use
rinse them thoroughly and always dry them carefully before putting them away
store them in a clean, dry place

(NHS 2019) You can also reduce the risk of infection by making sure that you and your partner wash before and after sex. And it’s a good idea to have a wee after using any sex toys (Medical News Today 2019, NHS 2019).

Washing your toys may not be enough to remove all viruses or bacteria. Bacteria that live in your anus can cause an infection if they are transferred to your vagina, and even if you clean your sex toy thoroughly, the risk may remain. To avoid an infection don’t use the same toy in your anus as you use in your vagina. Or put a new condom on your toy whenever you switch from anal to vaginal penetration (Medical News Today 2019, NHS 2019).

Sharing sex toys can also be risky. The safest option is not to share, but if you are using a vibrator or strap-on and want to share it with your partner, at the very least use a new condom when you swap over.

Bear in mind that a vibrator is harder than a penis. So if your vagina feels more sensitive during pregnancy, tell your partner to be a little gentler with you and use lubricants.

While you’re exploring your options, check out our top sex positions for pregnancy.

References

Fernández-Carrasco FJ et al. 2020. Changes in Sexual Desire in Women and Their Partners during Pregnancy. J Clin Med. 9(2):526.

Healthline. 2020. Can You Use a Vibrator While Pregnant? www.healthline.com [Accessed August 2022]

Mayo Clinic. 2022. Sex during pregnancy: What's OK, what's not. www.mayoclinic.org [Accessed August 2022]

Medical News Today. 2019. Is it ok to masturbate during pregnancy? www.medicalnewstoday.com [Accessed August 2022]

NHS. 2019. Are sex toys safe? www.nhs.uk [Accessed August 2022]

Joanne Lewsley is a freelance copywriter and editor, and specialises in creating evidence-based parenting, health and lifestyle web content.

Can having an Orgasim cause bleeding?

When you orgasm your uterus contracts which can force some of the blood out. Bleeding during or after sex can be caused by a multitude of things and if you're concerned you should speak to your doctor.

Is it normal to bleed after pleasure?

In fact, it's likely normal and the result of minor scratches or cuts in the vagina. However, if you experience heavy bleeding after being fingered or the bleeding lasts longer than three days, see your doctor. If the bleeding is also accompanied by pain or discomfort, make an appointment.

Why do I bleed after stimulation?

Causes of bleeding after sex Bleeding after sex can be a sign of a health condition: an infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia. vaginal dryness (atrophic vaginitis) caused by reduced vaginal secretions after the menopause.