10 Signs of Ovarian Cancer

1. Persistent bloating

Everyone feels bloated from time to time. You may notice it after you eat a certain meal, overeat too close to bed or have certain foods that don’t always agree with you. But bloating that sticks around may be something to pay attention to. While this can overlap with many conditions, it’s also a potential sign of ovarian cancer. In fact, bloating is one of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Pay attention to what’s normal for you. If you have unresolved bloating or bloating that is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pelvic pain or feeling full quickly, it’s worth mentioning to your healthcare provider.

2. Pelvic or abdominal pain

Pelvic or abdominal pain or pressure is another potential sign of ovarian cancer. This can occur as pain around your tummy to the top of your thighs. Pain in the lower back or flank area, between the ribs and the hips, can also be a symptom. While body pain can have many causes, it’s important to mention pain that lingers to your doctor. That doesn’t mean an achy back should automatically raise alarm bells. But pay attention to pain that is new or unusual for you, doesn’t go away or occurs alongside other potential symptoms.

3. Feeling full quickly

If you notice that you suddenly feel full after eating a smaller amount of food than usual, it’s important to bring up that detail to your healthcare provider. The American Cancer Society lists trouble eating or feeling full quickly among the most common symptoms of the disease. Your appetite can fluctuate for plenty of reasons. But if you find that you are suddenly and consistently unable to finish meals you normally would, or feel unusually full after eating very little, this is something that warrants attention.

4. Changes in urination

Needing to pee more frequently or urgently can be another symptom of ovarian cancer to pay attention to. Urinary changes are common and can be caused by everything from a urinary tract infection to an overactive bladder. Any change in your bathroom habits that is new or persistent is worth discussing with your doctor.

5. Changes in bowel habits

In some people, ovarian cancer can show up with changes in bowel habits, including constipation or more frequent stools. Slower digestion, decreased activity and medications can sometimes contribute to constipation, making it more common as we age. Constipation is usually caused by something other than cancer. Still, tell your doctor about a persistent or unexplained change in your normal bowel habits.

7. Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge

Vaginal bleeding or discharge that isn’t normal for you can also be a potential sign of ovarian cancer. This is something you want to bring to your doctor right away. Unusual vaginal bleeding can include bleeding that occurs after menopause or changes in menstrual cycles for those still menstruating.

8. Fatigue

A bad night’s sleep, a stressful event that keeps us thinking all night… We all have days when we feel more tired than usual. But extreme tiredness or fatigue can also be a symptom of ovarian cancer. In addition to poor sleep, fatigue can also be caused by medications and other health conditions. If you're experiencing persistent fatigue that is unusual for you, let your healthcare provider know. It’s especially important to point out unusual tiredness if it is accompanied by other symptoms on this list.

9. Pain during sex

Pain during intercourse is something to pay attention to, as it can be a sign of ovarian cancer. There are many other reasons sex can become uncomfortable or painful, particularly after menopause, when hormones fluctuate and things like vaginal dryness can set in. New or unexplained pain during sex is worth discussing with your healthcare provider so they can help determine what's causing it.

10. Upset stomach, nausea or indigestion

An occasional upset stomach is common and often resolves on its own. But an upset stomach can also occur with ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. If stomach discomfort is persistent or unexplained, particularly if it occurs alongside other symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain or feeling full quickly, talk to your healthcare provider.

When to talk to your doctor

Experiencing symptoms like bloating, constipation and fatigue does not mean that you have ovarian cancer. These symptoms are common and are often caused by other conditions. In some cases, they can be present with ovarian cancer. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your body. If you know you typically get bloated after eating dairy but haven't had any dairy for months and have been experiencing persistent bloating, that’s something to get checked out. The same thing goes for pain during sex that appears out of nowhere and doesn’t seem to resolve.

The American Cancer Society notes that many of these symptoms, when caused by ovarian cancer, tend to be persistent and occur more often or be more severe than usual. As a general rule of thumb, the organization recommends seeing a doctor if they occur more than 12 times a month. But you don't have to wait for something to happen that often to get it looked at. When in doubt, report any new or persistent symptoms to your provider.

_{As you age, the risk of developing ovarian cancer increases. When ovarian cancer first develops, there might not be any noticeable symptoms, and as symptoms do develop, they may be attributed to more common conditions. Being aware of the potential signs of ovarian cancer may help you catch the disease earlier and support treatment efforts.}