Learn The BasicsThe signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer (EC) may be easily overlooked, as many of them are not specific to EC and can be a sign of other health issues.
EC symptoms may include bleeding between periods, also known as vaginal spotting, and bleeding after menopause. Vaginal discharge other than bleeding may also be a sign of EC.
Other symptoms of EC may include pain during intercourse and difficulty urinating or pain during urination.
In its advanced stages, EC may lead to symptoms like pelvic pain and unintentional weight loss.
Vaginal spotting
Vaginal spotting or bleeding between periods is one of the most common signs of EC. However, this is not a symptom specific to only EC and may be caused by other things like injury or trauma, infections, hormonal changes, menopause, pregnancy and certain medications.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is also a common sign of EC.
Even though not all vaginal bleeding after menopause is due to EC, a vast majority (90%) of women who were diagnosed with EC reported post-menopausal bleeding before being diagnosed.
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is a clear, white or off-white fluid that comes out of the vagina. A normal vaginal discharge has a watery or sticky texture and does not smell bad.
Vaginal discharge that is chunky or foamy, dark yellow, brown, green or grey and foul-smelling may be a sign that the vagina is not healthy.
White and clear vaginal discharge after menopause is also not normal and may be indicative of EC or another issue.
Pelvic pain
EC may cause pelvic pain, especially in its advanced stages. This can be in the form of pain or cramping in the lower belly.
However, lower abdominal pain can also be caused by digestive problems, infections, ulcers, endometriosis or fibroids.
Pain during intercourse
EC may cause pain during intercourse. Doctors sometimes call this dyspareunia. This can happen before, during, or after intercourse.
However, as with the other symptoms of EC, this is not a specific symptom and may be caused by other factors like injury, trauma or irritation, infections or stress.
Painful urination
EC can be associated with difficulty urinating or pain during urination, also known as dysuria.
Other reasons for painful urination include bladder, vaginal or urinary tract infection or endometritis, the inflammation of the endomtrium or the lining of the uterus.
Pain associated with urination can occur at the start of urination or after urination. It can be external or internal.
Weight loss
Unintentional weight loss can also be a sign of EC, especially in advanced stages, as is the case in the advanced stages of many other cancers as well. In EC, unintentional weight loss may be accompanied by pain in the pelvis and a sensation of fullness.
Unintentional weight loss can also be caused by other factors like mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), digestive problems including coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or other diseases such as overactive thyroid, type 2 diabetes or heart failure.