10/07/2026
Part 5 of Your Women's Health Series
🌸 10 Gynaecological Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore
As a community physician, one message I often repeat is this:
Please do not wait until symptoms become unbearable before seeking help.
Women are often incredibly good at enduring discomfort. We push through pain, bleeding, fatigue, bloating, discharge, and changes in our bodies because we are busy caring for everyone else.
But when it comes to women’s health, certain symptoms should never be brushed aside.
Most of the time, these symptoms may be due to treatable and non-cancerous conditions such as infections, hormonal changes, fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or menopause-related changes.
But sometimes, they can be early warning signs of something more serious.
Early assessment can make all the difference.
1. Bleeding after menopause
Any va**nal bleeding, spotting, or brown discharge that occurs 12 months or more after your last menstrual period should be assessed.
It is not considered a normal part of ageing.
Most women with post-menopausal bleeding do not have cancer, but it can be an early sign of endometrial cancer, which is why prompt evaluation is important. ACOG notes that abnormal uterine bleeding can be an early sign of endometrial cancer.
2. Bleeding between periods
Occasional irregular bleeding can happen for many reasons, including hormonal changes, contraception, infections, polyps, fibroids, or stress.
But bleeding between periods should be discussed with a healthcare professional, especially if it is new, recurrent, heavy, or associated with pain.
Abnormal va**nal bleeding or discharge is listed by the CDC as a common symptom across several gynaecological cancers, except v***ar cancer.
3. Bleeding after s*x
Bleeding after in*******se should not be ignored.
It may be caused by cervical inflammation, infection, cervical polyps, va**nal dryness, or trauma.
But it can also be associated with cervical changes, including precancerous or cancerous changes, and should be properly examined.
4. Persistent pelvic pain or pressure
Pelvic pain that does not settle, keeps returning, or interferes with daily life deserves medical attention.
It may be linked to endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, urinary problems, bowel conditions, or, less commonly, gynaecological cancers.
The CDC lists pelvic pain or pressure as a symptom commonly associated with ovarian and uterine cancers.
5. Persistent bloating or increasing abdominal size
Bloating is common, especially around digestion or the menstrual cycle.
But bloating that is persistent, happens most days, or comes with an increase in abdominal size should be checked.
This is especially important if it is associated with feeling full quickly, loss of appetite, pelvic pain, or changes in bowel or bladder habits.
ACOG lists bloating, increased abdominal size, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly, pelvic or abdominal pain, and urinary urgency or frequency among symptoms that may occur with ovarian cancer.
6. Feeling full quickly or difficulty eating
If you suddenly feel full after eating only a small amount, or your appetite changes without explanation, do not ignore it.
This can be related to many digestive or metabolic conditions, but when persistent, it can also be one of the subtle symptoms associated with ovarian cancer. The CDC includes feeling full too quickly or difficulty eating among possible ovarian cancer symptoms.
7. Unusual va**nal discharge
A change in va**nal discharge can be due to common infections such as thrush, bacterial vaginosis, or s*xually transmitted infections.
However, discharge that is persistent, blood-stained, foul-smelling, watery, or associated with pelvic pain, itching, fever, or bleeding should be assessed.
Abnormal va**nal discharge is one of the symptoms highlighted by the CDC for gynaecological cancers.
8. Vulval itching, sores, lumps, or skin changes
Persistent itching, burning, pain, ulcers, lumps, thickened skin, colour changes, or non-healing sores around the v***a should not be dismissed.
Many causes are benign, such as infections, dermatitis, lichen sclerosus, or irritation.
But persistent v***al skin changes need proper examination, especially if they do not improve with usual treatment.
9. New urinary urgency, frequency, or constipation
Needing to pass urine more often, feeling urgency, or developing constipation can be due to many common causes.
But when these symptoms are new, persistent, or occur together with bloating or pelvic pressure, they should be reviewed.
The CDC notes that more frequent or urgent urination and constipation may occur in ovarian and va**nal cancers.
10. Pain during s*x
Pain during in*******se is not something women should simply tolerate.
It may be related to va**nal dryness, infections, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, menopause-related changes, or emotional factors.
But persistent pain during s*x deserves compassionate medical assessment and proper treatment.
My message to women
Please remember this:
You know your body best.
If something feels unusual, persistent, new, or worrying, it is worth checking.
Seeking medical advice does not mean you are overreacting.
It means you are taking care of yourself.
Most gynaecological symptoms are not cancer. But early evaluation can detect problems sooner, provide reassurance, and allow treatment before complications develop.
As women, we often tell ourselves:
“I’ll wait and see.”
“It’s probably nothing.”
“I’m too busy right now.”
But your health is not something to postpone.
If you notice any of these symptoms, please speak to your doctor.
💚 Listen to your body.
💚 Do not ignore warning signs.
💚 Early assessment can save lives.
—
Dr. Bavna Sakurdeep
Community Physician
Evidence at a glance
Gynaecological cancers can present with symptoms such as abnormal va**nal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, bloating, difficulty eating, urinary urgency or frequency, and bowel habit changes.
For ovarian cancer specifically, symptoms may include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, difficulty eating, urinary symptoms, va**nal bleeding after menopause, and changes in bowel habits.