Bloating. An upset stomach. Feeling unusually full after a meal. A change in bathroom habits.
Most women experience symptoms like these from time to time, and usually, they’re nothing to worry about. But when subtle changes persist or simply don’t feel normal for you, they deserve your attention.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, making it an important time to talk about a disease whose symptoms can sometimes be easy to overlook. Knowing the potential warning signs—and speaking up when something feels different—is an important part of taking care of your gynecological health.
Why Can Ovarian Cancer Be Difficult to Detect?
Unlike some other cancers, ovarian cancer does not currently have a reliable routine screening test for women who do not have symptoms and are at average risk. And while Pap tests are an important part of cervical cancer screening, they do not screen for ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer can also be challenging to recognize because its symptoms often resemble much more common digestive, urinary, or gynecological concerns.
That doesn’t mean every bout of bloating or stomach discomfort should cause alarm. Instead, the key is knowing what is normal for your body, noticing when something changes, and bringing any concerns to your gynecologist.
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
Some of the most common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain or pressure
- Feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating
- Changes in bathroom habits, including needing to urinate more frequently or urgently or experiencing constipation
- Abdominal or back pain
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
Other possible symptoms include fatigue, pain during sex, an upset stomach, or changes in your menstrual cycle.
Of course, there are many noncancerous explanations for these symptoms. Bloating may be related to something you ate. Pelvic discomfort can accompany your period. Bathroom habits can change for countless reasons.
The presence of one of these symptoms does not mean you have ovarian cancer. What matters is recognizing when something is unusual for you.
Pay Attention to What Is New, Different, or Persistent
Maybe you occasionally experience bloating around your period, but now it seems to happen almost every day. Perhaps you’ve always had a healthy appetite but suddenly find yourself feeling full after only a few bites. Or you’ve noticed a new sense of pressure in your pelvis that doesn’t seem to go away. These are the kinds of changes worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeing a doctor if symptoms such as bloating, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, feeling full quickly, or changes in bathroom habits last for two weeks or longer and aren’t normal for you. Unusual vaginal bleeding—particularly after menopause—should be evaluated right away.
The goal isn’t to worry about every ache or change. It’s to recognize a pattern and make time for yourself when your body seems to be telling you something.
Know Your Body—and Make Sure You Are Heard
Women are busy. Between work, family, friendships, appointments, and everything else competing for our attention, it’s easy to dismiss a nagging symptom or promise ourselves we’ll deal with it later.
Your health deserves a place on that list, too.
If you’ve noticed persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, changes in appetite or bathroom habits, unusual bleeding, or simply a change that doesn’t feel normal for you, make time to talk about it. Most often, these symptoms will have another explanation—but finding that explanation matters, too.
Your gynecologist can listen to what you’ve been experiencing, review your medical and family history, and determine whether further evaluation is appropriate. You don’t need to arrive at your appointment knowing what’s wrong—that’s what your healthcare team is there to help you determine.
At Rosa Gynecology, we believe women deserve a safe place where their concerns are heard, and their questions are taken seriously. Our all-female team provides thoughtful, compassionate gynecological care and works with you to make informed decisions about your health.
Something doesn’t feel normal? We’re here to listen. Contact Rosa Gynecology at 770-487-9604 or schedule an appointment online.
