How to Recognize Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References Approved

Experts agree that cervical cancer is highly treatable if you catch it early, so it's important to get wellness exams.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Cervical cancer affects your cervix, which is the lower part of your uterus where it connects with your vagina. The most common cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), so it's highly preventable. Studies show that cervical cancer typically causes no symptoms at first, but you may develop bleeding after intercourse, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, or watery, bloody discharge.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Try not to worry if you suspect you have cervical cancer, but see your doctor right away so you can get treatment.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Knowing the Symptoms

1
Keep a good record of your menstrual periods. If you are premenopausal or perimenopausal, use a calendar to keep track of when your menstrual period will come and how long it will last. If you are menopausal, know when your last period was. A major symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. It is good to know what is normal for you and other women like you.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- You will usually have regular menstrual cycles if you are premenopausal. Each woman is different, but a normal cycle will be 28 days, plus or minus 7 days.^{[4]
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  Research source}
- You will have irregular menstrual periods if you are peri-menopausal. This phase normally starts between the ages of 40 and 50. This transition occurs when your ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. It can last anywhere from several months to 10 years before menopause is fully reached.^{[5]
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- You will no longer have menstrual periods if you are menopausal. Your hormone levels have reached a point where you no longer ovulate or release eggs. You can no longer become pregnant.^{[6]
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- You will not have menstrual periods if you have had a hysterectomy. You no longer have a uterus and you will no longer shed the lining of your uterus. You should not be bleeding. If you still have ovaries that work, you are not menopausal.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
2
Look for spotting in between your menstrual periods.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} When you have spotting, there is much less bleeding and the blood may have a different color than your normal menstrual flow.
- It is normal for a premenopausal woman to have an irregular cycle, occasionally. Spotting could be seen. Many factors like illness, stress or strenuous exercise can interfere with your cycle. Seek medical attention if your menstrual period remains irregular for several months.^{[9]
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- Spotting could be a normal part of your peri-menopausal phase. Be vigilant and look for other symptoms of cervical cancer.^{[10]
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3
Take note of menstrual periods that are longer or heavier than usual.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} During every menstrual period, your flow can change in amount, color, and consistency. Call your doctor if this pattern changes significantly.^{[12]
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Research source}
4
Call your doctor if you unexpectedly start having your menstrual period again. Just remember that no amount of vaginal bleeding is normal if you are menopausal or if you have had a hysterectomy.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- Do not assume your cervix has been removed because you have had a hysterectomy. Your entire uterus, including your cervix, is removed during a total hysterectomy. A supracervical hysterectomy is often performed for non-cancerous conditions. Your cervix is left in place and you can develop cervical cancer. Ask your gynecologist which type you have undergone.^{[14]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Office on Women's Health
  U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
  Go to source}
- Consider yourself menopausal if you completely stopped having menstrual periods for 12 straight months.^{[15]
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5
Look for vaginal bleeding after normal activities. These activities include vaginal sexual intercourse, douching, and even a pelvic exam by a doctor. Talk to your doctor about the nature of the bleeding, spotting versus a heavy flow.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- When a doctor performs a pelvic exam, she inserts two gloved fingers into your vagina while her other hand presses on your lower abdomen. She can examine your uterus, including your cervix, and ovaries looking for signs of problems or disease. It should not cause heavy bleeding.^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
6
Take note of any unusual vaginal discharge. The discharge may be bloody and it occurs in between menstrual periods. It could be foul-smelling, as well.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- The cervix produces mucus that changes in consistency during the menstrual cycle to either prevent or promote pregnancy.^{[19]
  X
  Research source} It should not be bloody in between periods.
- Menstrual blood may accumulate in the vagina and smell foul if it is left there for a long time, especially more than 6 to 8 hours. This is different from a discharge smelling bad.^{[20]
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- Seek medical treatment. Discharge that is foul smelling could be caused by other conditions like infection which can cause pain and bleeding, or by precancerous lesions or cancer.^{[21]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
7
Tell your doctor about pain after sex or new pelvic pain.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} Pain during sex may be normal; 3 out of 4 women have had pain during intercourse at some point. However, if it occurs frequently or is very severe, talk to a qualified medical professional about painful sex.^{[23]
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Trustworthy Source
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives
Go to source}^{[24]
X
Research source} Differentiate between your standard menstrual cramps and pain in your pelvis or lower abdomen.
- Menopausal and peri-menopausal women can develop changes in their vaginal walls because of dropping estrogen levels. Vaginal walls become thinner, dryer, less elastic, and may become irritated (atrophic vaginitis). Sometimes sex becomes painful due to these vaginal changes. ^{[25]
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  Research source}
- Sex may also be painful if you have certain skin conditions or are having sexual response difficulties.^{[26]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives
  Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Seeking Medical Attention

1
Make an appointment with a doctor as soon as your symptoms appear. A delay could lead to more advanced disease and lower your chances of obtaining a cure.^{[27]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}^{[28]
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Research source}
- Your doctor will talk to you about your personal and family history as well as your symptoms. She will talk about risk factors such as having many sexual partners, early sexual activity, being diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases, signs of a weak immune system, and a history of smoking.^{[29]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}^{[30]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
- Your doctor will perform a perform a physical examination to determine your general state of health. She will perform a Pap smear and HPV test if they have not previously been performed. These are screening tests (looking for signs of cervical cancer) and not diagnostic (confirming the presence of cervical cancer).^{[31]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
- Diagnostic studies are performed when you have an abnormal Pap smear and/or symptoms consistent with cervical cancer. A colposcopy is performed; this instrument, which opens the vagina like a speculum, also magnifies the cervix so that your doctor can visualize any abnormal areas on the cervix. Scrapings of the endocervix (the part closest to the uterus)^{[32]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source} and/or cone-shaped biopsies will be taken. A pathologist looks under the microscope to make the diagnosis of pre-cancerous or cancerous changes in the cells.^{[33]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
2
Undergo regular cervical cancer screening before you notice symptoms. ^{[34]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source} There are two tests you can have at your doctor's office to help detect pre-cancerous lesions: the Pap smear and the HPV test.^{[35]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
3
Get a regular Pap smear. The Pap smear, or Pap test, identifies pre-cancerous cells that could become cervical cancer if they are not treated early and appropriately.^{[36]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} The Pap smear is recommended for all women between the ages of 21 and 65 years old. It can be performed in the doctor’s office or in a medical clinic.
- A speculum, an instrument used to widen the vagina, will be inserted by the gynecologist. As the doctor examines the vagina and cervix, cells and mucus are collected from the cervix and the surrounding tissue. These samples are placed on a slide or in a bottle of liquid and sent to a laboratory. They will be checked under a microscope, looking for abnormalities.^{[37]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- You should get a regular Pap smear even if you are not currently sexually active and even if you have gone through menopause.^{[38]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Office on Women's Health
  U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
  Go to source}
- In the US, Pap smears are covered under the Affordable Care Act, so most insurance plans must cover them at no cost. If you don't have insurance, you may be able to find a free or low-cost test from a local community health clinic.^{[39]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Office on Women's Health
  U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
  Go to source}
4
Get an HPV test. This test looks for the virus, human papillomavirus, that can cause pre-cancerous cell changes in the cervix.^{[40]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. The HPV virus is passed from person to person during sexual intercourse.^{[41]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} The cells collected during the Pap smear can be tested for HPV as well.^{[42]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- The cervix is the cylinder neck-like passage at the lower end of the uterus.^{[43]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source} The ectocervix is the part of the cervix the doctor sees during the speculum exam.^{[44]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source} The endocervix is the tunnel through the cervix into the uterus. The transformation zone is the overlapping border between the endocervix and the ectocervix. This is where most cervical cancers develop. Samples of the cervical cells and mucus are taken from here.^{[45]
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  Research source}
- If you are 30 or older, you can usually have a Pap smear and HPV test together every 5 years.^{[46]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Office on Women's Health
  U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
  Go to source}
5
Talk with your doctor about how often you should have a Pap smear and HPV test. The frequency at which you are screened or need follow-up is based upon factors like your age, your sexual history, your previous history of an abnormal Pap smear, and your previous history of HPV infection.^{[47]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Most women between 21-29 should get a Pap smear every 3 years. Women between 30-64 should get a Pap smear every 3 years, or a Pap smear + HPV test every 5 years.^{[48]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Office on Women's Health
  U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
  Go to source}
- If you have a weakened immune system, you are HIV-positive, or have ever had abnormal Pap results, you should ask your doctor whether you need a Pap smear more frequently.^{[49]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Office on Women's Health
  U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
  Go to source}
- Cervical cancer is one of the most common in women worldwide, but is much less common in countries like the United States where cervical cancer screening, Pap smear and HPV testing, is routine.^{[50]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
- Get your diagnosis and treatment early. Pre-cancerous cervical cells with more severe changes are at a greater the risk of changing into cancerous cells. This transformation from normal to abnormal to invasive cancer can happen over a period as long as 10 years, but it could happen sooner.^{[51]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Drinking cold water can make the risk higher?

Carrie Noriega, MD
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005.

Carrie Noriega, MD

Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Answer

No, drinking cold water is not a risk factor for uterine cancer.