Coping with Chronic Health Conditions: Tips

The Not-So Silent Killer: 3 Problems That Could Signify Ovarian Cancer

5 March 2017 by Freddie Cox

The subtle, vague symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are easy for both women and their doctors to dismiss as other benign problems. Knowing which changes in your body could be cause for alarm can make you more proactive in finding the underlying cause.

Chronic Bloating

Elastic waistbands and flowing shirts may become your friend because you often feel boated for no reason. It is common to experience bloating around the time of your menstrual period and after eating certain foods that may be especially gassy. You should be concerned if no matter what you eat or do, your waistline seems to expand. You might lose or gain weight, but your abdomen seems to increase in size. Fortunately, most cases of chronic bloating are benign, but it some cases it could be related to a malignant ovarian mass and fluid build-up in the abdomen.

Changes In Bodily Functions

Even if you have never been pregnant, you can imagine the various changes that may happen to your body as a fetus takes up more space in your abdomen, this is no different with masses that may develop in the abdominopelvic region. An abdominal mass, whether malignant or benign, will likely cause changes in your bowel function. You may experience frequent episodes of constipation as the mass obstructs the flow of stool in your intestines. Additionally, you may experience frequent urges to urinate throughout the day and night if the mass is pressing on your bladder. Even with the urge to urinate, you may not expel as much urine because your bladder cannot hold as much. Hunger and the amount you eat may also be different. You may lose your appetite and when you are hungry, you seem to become full with little amounts of food. If a mass were pressing on your diaphragm, you may feel out of breath easily.

Abnormal Cycles

It is easier to identify something is wrong if you are postmenopausal. For postmenopausal women, bleeding is a significant warning sign that something is wrong. If you still have periods, it is much easier to pass off changes as the coming of menopause. Bleeding between periods is one sign that should not be taken lightly. It is common for women to see a little blood around ovulation, but if this is new or profuse, it should be addressed with your gynecologist. Significant changes in your menstrual period, such as suddenly experiencing heavy, painful, or unusually lengthy periods are also questionable. Although changes that seem positive, such as lighter, shorter, and less painful periods, are not often regarded as a warning sign of problems, they should be investigated to rule out gynecological problems or cancer.

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is regarded as a silent cancer, because it is usually diagnosed in the latter stages when it is harder to treat. When you consistently have vague symptoms, it is important to have them investigated by your gynecologist, such as at Bee Ridge Obstetrics Gynecology .

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