Spotting after fingering: will I be ok?

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026

Hi Aunt Vadge,

The problem: I was bleeding after I fingered myself, starting about 5–10 minutes after I did it. I’m a virgin, but I masturbate regularly, and this was the first time I bled.

It’s stayed about the same, but today (the second day) a spot came out with a little blood in it. I don’t know what to do.

My symptoms:

Pain – none at all
Discharge – just once
Bleeding – spotting, colour not too dark nor bright
Growths – a little bit sticky, with blood
Cuts or tears – not sure
Changes – after I saw the blood I stopped, and on the second day I saw a little spot of blood in my underwear. No pain.
Before this – I’d been cycling before I touched myself
How I feel about it – worry, fear, anxiety, shame, guilt

Sincerely,
Sticky
Indonesia, age 21

Hi there Sticky,

A few harmless things could explain this. You might have nicked yourself with a fingernail, or your hymen (or whatever remains of it) may have stretched or come loose – some hymenal tissue can hang around and get dislodged later.

The sticky part could also have been a slightly blocked or inflamed Bartholin duct or Skene’s gland (both give benign little cysts) draining its fluid. None of this is dangerous, but do have a look at the diagrams so that if it happens again, you can work out where the blood and fluid are coming from.

If you’re not in pain, the bleeding has stopped, and you’ve no other symptoms, you can take it that you’re fine and nothing bad will come of it.

I also want to speak to how you’re feeling, because you mentioned worry, shame and guilt. Those feelings are so common when something about our bodies is confusing, especially around masturbation – but you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Women are made to feel embarrassed about their bodies almost as a matter of course, and that isn’t right.

Truly, it’s wonderful that you’re getting to know your own body. It’ll make you better informed, a more confident lover when the time comes, and more in tune with your own sexuality. Many women never do this, so well done you.

Sometimes a little damage just happens, so try not to worry unless you get heavy or unusual discharge, a funny smell, or bleeding that keeps going. If any of those continue, go and be examined and have some tests to rule out anything more serious.

Otherwise, leave your vagina alone until it feels fully healed, then take a look with a mirror so you get to know your own anatomy and can pinpoint things more easily next time. Minor cuts and tears can be helped along with a vulva- and vagina-friendly cuts cream.

Write any time – we’d love to hear from you.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.