Is there a such thing as gynecological symptoms that can NEVER be caused by cancer?
There are so many gynecological symptoms, and cancer is the cause of numerous gynecological issues.
So when a woman begins experiencing a gynecological issue, it can be quite anxiety-provoking.
For instance, if she begins experiencing a strange-looking vaginal discharge, she may be inclined to wonder first of all just where it’s coming from: the vagina itself? Or higher up in the reproductive tract?
She may tell herself, “It’s probably an infection,” yet she also knows that cancer of four distinct areas (vulva, vagina, cervix and uterus) can cause a new and unusual discharge.
You may also know that unexplained leg pain and appetite suppression can be caused by ovarian cancer, though these symptoms are far more likely to have non-malignant causes such as sciatica and anxiety, respectively.
What are some other gynecological symptoms?
Or, to put it another way, what symptoms can be caused by a gynecological cancer?
• Blood on the tissue paper after wiping
• Bleeding after sex
• Spotting that can’t be explained by a period, oral contraceptives or pregnancy
• Frequent urges to urinate that are not relieved with voiding
• Burning with urination
• Pelvic pressure, heaviness or pain
• Lump, swelling, itching or soreness in the vaginal or vulvar area
• New-onset foul odor from vaginal discharge
• Bloating
• Abdominal expansion
• Constipation
• Back pain
Every single one of these symptoms can also have a benign cause.
“Almost any gynecologic symptom can be benign or malignant,” says Dr. Kimberly Langdon, MD, OBGYN, medical advisor at Medzino Health, an online doctor and pharmacy site.
However, continues Dr. Langdon, “It’s more common for cancerous conditions to persist and benign symptoms to go away, but that is not always the case.”
Trust your gut. If you feel funny about a new symptom, especially if it persists, see your gynecologist.
Dr. Langdon, who is now retired from clinical practice, has delivered over 2,000 babies. Besides obstetrics, she specialized in gynecologic situations such as menstrual disorders, vaginitis, menopause, contraception, pelvic pain and minimally-invasive surgeries.
