What Does a Bruised Cervix Feel like?

Sex injuries are rarely talked about so if you’ve ever wondered what a bruised cervix feels like you’ve come to the right place. And if you’ve never heard of a bruised cervix before, consider yourself lucky because this is one injury you don’t want to have. A cervix that has become sore, tender, and sensitive from vigorous penetration can be irritating, achy, and downright uncomfortable, but the good news is that it doesn’t usually spell long term trouble.  

In this post we’ll cover what a bruised cervix can feel like, how it can become bruised, bruised cervix symptoms, and what treatment is necessary. We’ll also give you some tips on how to avoid this injury and even give you some sex positions to try. Read on for an informative look at what a bruised cervix feels like and what to do about it.

How can a cervix become bruised? 

Your cervix may become bruised through vigorous penetrative sex or during deep penetration with a penis, dildo, or other object. Due to its location at the top of the vaginal canal and close to the vaginal opening, it’s unlikely that anything else would cause this injury. Everyone’s anatomy is different, so some people are more prone to this injury due to the position of their cervix and uterus.  

Deep penetration or vigorous activity can cause bruising from something hitting the cervix.  Whether that’s a penis or other object depends on the activity, but some positions increase the risk because they allow for deeper penetration. For instance, doggy style is commonly associated with this injury but it can happen with others also. 

Since your cervix can change position depending on where you’re at in your cycle, certain times of the month make this injury more likely than others. As ovulation approaches the texture and position of your cervix may change, moving higher and becoming softer and more moist. These changes help prepare your body for conception, but unfortunately, the change in position can also result in injury.  You can check your cervical position at home, but you should not experience pain. 

Cervical bruising usually hurts immediately and may make further penetration uncomfortable.  Until it heals, it’s best to avoid penetration so further damage isn’t done.  

Bruising to your cervix can come from other sources as well, like STIs, as they cause discomfort due to inflammation of the cervix. Your cervix can also be bruised by sexual assault or trauma, in which case you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. 

Does it need medical treatment?

Thankfully, a bruised cervix doesn’t usually need medical treatment. Cervix bruising usually takes a couple of days to heal and it’s best to avoid penetration until you’ve fully recovered.  If you have concerns, your doctor can perform a pelvic examination to rule out any other causes or advise on treatment.

Cervical bruising is not permanent and the pain can usually be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication to relieve any discomfort. Healing time will vary from person to person, but if pain persists it’s best to see your doctor.  

The position of your cervix may make you more prone to cervical bruising and you can take necessary precautions to prevent injury in the future. For instance, sexual positions where you can control the depth of penetration are helpful to prevent a bruised cervix. Sex should never be painful and if your cervix is hurting during intercourse it may indicate another issue entirely. 

What does a bruised cervix feel like? 

We are all wonderfully unique and a bruised cervix may feel different for everyone. Depending on the degree of the injury and your pain tolerance, symptoms may run the gamut from painful cramps to only mild discomfort. Intercourse or penetration are likely to make it hurt more and may even lead to further injury.  

For some people, a bruised cervix is only a minor injury resulting in mild symptoms like spotting or sometimes cramps and dull pain.  While for others, it can result in painful cramps, bleeding, or even back pain.  Most people can expect a general aching pain inside their body or abdominal pain, but it will depend on how badly you were injured as well as other aspects of your lifestyle.

Painful intercourse 

The most common symptom of a bruised cervix is painful intercourse. This of course includes any type of penetration and will likely keep occurring until the injury heals. This is especially true when your cervix is in certain positions and if you are not sufficiently aroused before penetration.  The cervix is lower and harder when not aroused so it’s important to spend adequate time on foreplay or getting turned on before you attempt penetration.   

Pain in lower abdomen

Pain can come in many forms, especially from a bruised cervix. Soreness or cramping inside your body are common with this type of injury but you may also experience back pain or even pain that is so bad it causes nausea and vomiting. A bruised cervix will be tender and sensitive but the severity of your pain will likely depend on the severity of the injury. 

Abnormal bleeding 

Bleeding or spotting, outside of your period, are not uncommon with cervix bruising.  The bleeding is not usually heavy and doesn’t last long, but if you are passing clots or soaking through a pad or tampon every hour, it’s time to see a doctor.  

Cramps 

An injured or unhappy cervix is likely to cause cramping.  Similar to menstrual cramps, they should be mild and slightly uncomfortable rather than a full raging pain.  Some women have described them as extremely painful and worse than menstrual cramps, but this will depend on the severity of your injury.  Although everyone experiences cramps differently, severe pain should not be ignored and if you are cramping to the point of nausea, or your pain isn’t being alleviated by medications, you should seek medical attention.

Cervix bruised symptoms

The most notable and obvious sign of a bruised cervix is pain, but there are other bruised cervix symptoms to watch out for.  

• Pain during penetration
• Bleeding
• Spotting
• Nausea
• Soreness or cramping

Cervix bruising treatment options

The best treatment option for a bruised cervix is to avoid any activity that would exacerbate the injury until it is healed. Give your cervix time to heal and the pain should go away.  If the pain lasts longer than a week, it can indicate something else is going on and you should see your doctor.  

In other circumstances, a bruised cervix may warrant a pelvic exam. If the pain is unbearable, you are pregnant, or notice unusual bleeding it is always best to seek medical attention.  Additionally, if you are pregnant or just had an IUD inserted, cervical bruising should be taken seriously and you should see your doctor to rule out any further complications, like an IUD moving during sex. 

For less severe bruising, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication or try one of the following strategies to help ease the pain.

• Wear loose clothing so there’s no pressure on your abdomen
• Massage the abdomen and lower back
• Apply a heating pad
• Sit on a pillow or cushion 

Can you prevent bruising your cervix? 

There are things you can do to prevent future bruising of your cervix. One of the biggest keys to prevent a bruised cervix is making sure your body is aroused and ready for penetration.  Lack of arousal leads to lack of natural lubrication and that can contribute to a number of sex injuries, including a bruised cervix. Foreplay is highly recommended to get your body ready, but you can also help things along with lubricant. 

For some people, the position of their cervix may lend itself to injury. In that case, it’s best to try different sexual positions to find one that works for you and doesn’t cause your cervix to hurt during intercourse.   

Sexual positions that can prevent a bruised cervix

The position of your cervix is unique to you and depending on your partner, you may need to experiment with sexual positions that don’t hurt your cervix. If you are prone to cervix bruising, you may need to try a few different ones until you find some that don’t hurt. Positions where you can control the depth and penetration can help prevent any further injury. Shallow penetration positions like standing up, being on top, or spooning are all helpful but if you experience any pain, reposition or stop to avoid injury. Many of these positions may be good for conception too, so if that’s your goal, you can experiment with a number of positions to help the cause along.  Sex positions that assist conception can be both helpful and allow you to control the depth of penetration so you don’t bruise your cervix further.

When to see doctor

Although most of the time a bruised cervix will heal on its own without medical intervention, there are times when it should be taken seriously and you should see a doctor.  

If you experience any of the following, it’s time to make an appointment.

• Bruised cervix after sexual assault or trauma
• Bruised cervix after IUD insertion
• Pain lasting longer than a week (could be a sign of another issue)
• Bleeding that fills a pad or tampon every hour (see doctor immediately)
• Extremely large blood clots
• Pain becomes unbearable
• If you are pregnant

Cervical bruising is an unfortunate and painful injury, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. It can happen for a variety of reasons and a little communication can help you avoid the pain. Allow yourself to heal and when you’re ready, tune into your body to get the most from your sexual experience. Whether that’s experimenting with sex positions that allow you to control the depth and penetration, or adding a lubricant into the mix, you want sex to feel smooth and satisfying.  Sex should never be painful and you should stop or reposition if you need to. Although healing time varies, if you experience anything more than temporary discomfort you may want to get checked out by your doctor to rule out any other causes or concerns.

FAQ

What causes a bruised cervix?

A bruised cervix is typically caused by penetration of an object into the vagina.  When deep penetration happens, it can hit the cervical opening and bruise it just like any other body part can become bruised.   

How long does it take for a bruised cervix to heal?

Healing can vary from person to person depending on the severity of the bruise.  Generally speaking, the pain is likely to subside in a few days and resolve altogether within about a week.  

Can a bruised cervix lead to long-term complications?

Generally speaking there are no long-term complications from a bruised cervix.  However, a bruised cervix can lead to cervical inflammation.  If left untreated this may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.  

Should I avoid sexual activity while healing from a bruised cervix?

It is best to avoid sex while recovering from a bruised cervix.  Additional penetration could cause further trauma and prolong your injury.

Can a bruised cervix affect fertility?

A bruised cervix can lead to cervical inflammation, which if left untreated can affect fertility.