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Hello, I need your help!
As my girlfriend and I were having sex, we decided to use a toy, and we didn’t notice the top of it was open – so when we inserted it, the cap was on. As we pulled it out, it yanked a little piece of skin from inside her vagina. It’s been bleeding since – not gushing, but bleeding like a cut or tear. It happened yesterday. I’m really worried.
Sincerely,
Pinched
Dear Pinched,
Ouch – that sounds sore. Happily, the inside of the vagina is tough and heals remarkably fast, usually without any scarring. A little pinched graze like this tends to mend much the way the inside of your mouth does after you accidentally bite your cheek. In our clinical work, small tears from toys and enthusiastic sex usually heal beautifully on their own.
So the plan is simple: no penetration until it’s fully healed, and otherwise leave it completely alone. Some oral probiotics can help keep her protective bacteria topped up while the skin closes, which helps keep infection away. It’s also worth easing off anything that really works the area, like running, horse riding or strenuous yoga, for a bit.
Do see a doctor promptly, though, if the bleeding is heavy or keeps going, if she can feel a deep tear or a flap of skin, or if any signs of infection appear – increasing pain, swelling, a fever, or unusual or smelly discharge. A minor graze that’s already slowing down doesn’t need a visit, but those signs do. Our guide on caring for cuts and tears covers the rest.
It may take a good couple of weeks to heal properly. She can gently check every few days with a clean finger – she’ll feel how sore it is, and the vaginal canal has fewer nerve endings than you’d think, so it may only hurt when touched. If the bleeding is easing and the pain is settling, it’s healing. Don’t panic.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
Hey, it’s me, Pinched – you helped me a few days ago! The bleeding had completely stopped this morning, but an hour ago we got a little tipsy and totally forgot. She said it hurt, then we remembered and stopped – and it was bleeding again! Should we be worried, or will it stop again? This time we won’t do anything for a few months! Thank you, please respond!
Sincerely,
Pinched
Hi again!
Exactly what you’d expect – you reopened the little wound, and it will settle down and stop again. She’ll be fine. A few months is far longer than you need, though; it should be healed within about two weeks. She can keep checking with a clean finger for tenderness, and once it’s only mildly tender you can enjoy other sexual activities – just no penetration until it’s fully comfortable. Learning to get each other off without penetration is a fun skill to have anyway, so put the time to good use.
Reopening it once won’t cause any harm – treat it like any other small wound on your body, just one you can’t see. It’s hard to resist when you want each other, but giving it a proper chance to close means it’s sorted much sooner. And keep the same red flags in mind: heavy or ongoing bleeding, or any sign of infection, means a trip to the doctor.
Be gentle, and good luck. You’ll both be fine.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
