Unusual vaginal bleeding
The main symptom of endometrial cancer is unusual bleeding from the vagina. Bleeding may start as light bleeding accompanied by a watery discharge, which may get heavier over time. Most women who are diagnosed with endometrial cancer have been through the menopause, and any vaginal bleeding will be unusual.
In women who haven’t been through the menopause, unusual vaginal bleeding may consist of:
- periods that are heavier than usual
- vaginal bleeding in between normal periods
Symptoms of advanced endometrial cancer
If endometrial cancer reaches a more advanced stage, it may cause additional symptoms. These include:
- pain in the lower abdomen, back, legs or pelvis
- unexplained weight loss
When to seek medical advice
If you have post-menopausal vaginal bleeding, or notice a change in the normal pattern of your period, visit your GP.
Only one in 10 cases of unusual vaginal bleeding after the menopause are caused by endometrial cancer, so it's unlikely that your symptoms will be caused by this condition.
However, if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, it is important to get the cause of your symptoms investigated because it may be the result of a number of other potentially serious health conditions, such as polyps or fibroids (non-cancerous growths that can develop inside the uterus). Also, other types of gynaecological cancer can cause unusual vaginal bleeding, particularly cervical cancer.
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