Question

Do ARVs cause you to bleed when you have sex?

17 June 2020. Related: All topics, Sexual health.

Ever since I started ARVs I’ve found that when I have sex I bleed. I also find sex painful, is this a side effect?

Thanks for getting in touch.

If you’re bleeding when you have and experiencing pain, it’s not due to the ARVs. There are several reasons why this may be happening as the following explains- https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/womens-health/what-causes-a-woman-to-bleed-after-sex/.

As this won’t be ARV related, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor.