Bruised cervix: what it feels like, symptoms & treatment

How does your cervix get bruised?

The cervix is a very important part of our anatomy, but it's definitely not talked about enough. Essentially, it's a narrow canal located on the lower end of the uterus and at the very top of the vaginal canal. It plays a crucial role in fertility, pregnancy, and preventing infection [1]. It's a very sensitive organ, which is why it can sometimes get injured.

The easiest and most common way to get a bruised cervix is through rough or intense penetrative sexual activity. It might be caused by deep and hard penetration of a penis, a large sex toy, or even fingers and hands.

A small amount of discomfort after rough sex is not uncommon. However, sex should always be pleasurable and consensual — you should never be forced to take part in activities you do not want to do or that cause you physical or emotional harm.

Sex and cervical bruising

As we already discussed, rigorous sexual penetration can cause cervical bruising. You'll start to feel the discomfort immediately after sex, and the next time you have penetrative sex, you might experience discomfort or even pain.

While stimulation of the cervix during sexual activity can be a source of pleasure, it can also cause discomfort. This is especially true with rough penetration during certain parts of your menstrual cycle. This is because cervix positions change throughout your cycle. For example, during your period, your cervix is more sensitive and is located lower in your vaginal canal, making it easier to reach [2].

Sometimes, a bruised cervix isn’t caused by the roughness of the penetration, but by the size of the penetrating object — whether it's a penis or a sex toy. In this case, it might be a good idea to be more mindful of your sex positions to minimize your chances of the penis or a sex toy bumping into the cervix.

Alternative sex positions to minimize contact with the cervix

Certain sex positions can be more likely to cause cervical bruising, like doggy style, when the bottom partner is on all fours and the top partner penetrates the bottom partner from behind. Sex positions that offer a more shallow penetration angle and more access to the clitoris for the receiving partner can increase sexual pleasure and arousal during intercourse [3]:

• The cowgirl position, when the penetrating partner lies on their back and the partner getting penetrated, straddles them, gives the top partner more control over the angle and depth of penetration, which might help prevent cervical bruising.
• Reverse cowgirl position when the penetrating partner lies on their back, and the partner getting penetrated straddles their groin, with their back to the partner, also gives the top partner more control over penetration depth and angles.
• The spooning position, when the penetrating partner enters the receiving partner from behind while they’re both lying on their sides, is a great sex position for a shallower penetration angle. 
• Speed bump position, when the receiving partner lies on their stomach, and the penetrative partner lies on top of them and enters from behind, offers another shallow penetration angle. 

How to prevent future bruising

Aside from choosing sex positions that offer shallower penetration and minimize the chances of contact with the cervix, one of the best ways to prevent cervical bruising is to ensure you're properly aroused. On average, it can take around 20 minutes of foreplay for most women to feel ready for intercourse [5].

Whether you're having sex with your partner or are masturbating, try to spend more time building up arousal before you attempt penetration. When you're aroused, there will be more natural lubrication, which will make things feel much more pleasurable and minimize vaginal and cervical injuries.

Plus, the vagina and the cervix change as you become aroused. The average length of a vagina is 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 centimeters) [6]. However, when you're aroused, the vagina can expand both in width and length, almost doubling in size [2]. When you're aroused and the vagina extends, your cervix moves up, further away from the vaginal opening [2]. So if you're sufficiently aroused and your cervix is further up the vaginal canal, it might be less likely to be bruised during penetration.

You might also want to double down on using lube. Even if there is plenty of natural lubrication, adding more lube might help prevent irritation and make intercourse more pleasurable.

Lastly, consider having rough sex that involves deep penetration only during the phases of your cycle when your cervix tends to be further away from the vaginal opening, minimizing the chances of a penis or a sex toy bumping into it.

Non-sexual causes of a bruised cervix

While vigorous sexual activity is the main cause of cervical bruising, there are other potential causes. For example, a non-sexual cause of a bruised or irritated cervix is vaginal delivery during childbirth. This can happen when there is incomplete dilatation of the anterior lip of the cervix during vaginal birth, which can cause irritation, bruising, and in some cases, severe trauma [4]. These types of severe complications are rare, and when they do happen, medical professionals are there to help you with after-birth care. 

What does a bruised cervix feel like?

How a bruised cervix might feel will depend on the person, as well as the severity of the bruising. Some people might experience very mild symptoms, while others might be in a lot of pain. One thing is clear: the symptoms usually start immediately after sex.

Bruised cervix symptoms

One of the most common bruised cervix symptoms is cramps. While they might be mild for some, others can experience severe cramps that lead to sweating, nausea, and/or vomiting.

You might also experience mild pain deep inside your lower abdomen or discomfort in the lower back area. Sometimes, you might see spotting or light bleeding. It’s important to note that the symptoms can worsen during penetrative sex.

Do you need to treat a bruised cervix?

While a bruised cervix tends to have uncomfortable symptoms, the good news is that it's generally not a serious medical injury that requires medical attention.

How to relieve pain and cramping caused by a bruised cervix

First of all, you might want to avoid having penetrative sex while you have a bruised cervix for a couple of days. This gives the bruising time to heal. If you’re experiencing cramping or aching, you can take an over-the-counter painkiller to ease the pain. It might be also a good idea to use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen or back to help relax and soothe the muscles and improve blood circulation. Additionally, you might be more comfortable if you avoid sitting on hard surfaces for a while and sit on a cushion or soft surface like a sofa instead.

How long does it take to heal?

The healing time for a bruised cervix will vary from person to person. All of us have individual healing times, so how long the symptoms will last will depend on how fast your body heals and how severe the bruising is. In most cases, the bruising will go away in a few days, but it might take up to a week for you to feel back to normal.

It's important to remember that it might be a good idea to refrain from any sort of penetrative activities while you have a bruised cervix. Having penetrative sex before your cervix is fully healed could prolong your healing time.

When to see a doctor

If any uncomfortable symptoms persist for more than a week, get worse with time, or you routinely experience pain during sexual intercourse, it is a good idea to see your doctor. Your OBGYN can check if it's cervical bruising or if there is something else that could be causing your discomfort. While many of us are used to the routine disruption and discomfort of menstrual cramps, persistent or severe pain should not be left untreated. You don’t have to suffer in silence, talk to your healthcare professional for guidance.

Be in the know with Natural Cycles

Natural Cycles is a certified birth control app designed to help you learn more about your body, helping you know exactly what phase of the cycle you're in. Track cycle changes, including consistency and amount of cervical mucus, and access guides and articles curated to help you learn more about your reproductive anatomy. Why not find out if the certified birth control app could work for you?