What are the most common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer?
The four symptoms most often reported by people diagnosed with ovarian cancer are:
These symptoms are common and can be caused by many things other than ovarian cancer. What matters is whether they are new or different for you, happen often, do not go away, or get worse over time.
Persistent bloating or abdominal swelling
Persistent bloating is different from occasional bloating that comes and goes after eating or during a menstrual cycle.
Your abdomen may feel swollen, tight, or larger than usual. You may also notice that clothing feels tighter around your waist or that the swelling does not fully go away.
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Ovarian cancer may cause pain, pressure, aching, or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area.
Pain is more concerning when it is new, occurs frequently, does not improve, or becomes more severe over time.
Feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating
You may feel full after eating only a small amount or notice that you cannot eat as much as usual.
This symptom may occur with a reduced appetite, nausea, indigestion, or abdominal discomfort.
Frequent or urgent need to urinate
You may need to urinate more often than normal or experience a sudden, urgent need to use the bathroom.
Urinary symptoms are common and can have many causes. However, a new or persistent change in your bathroom habits should be discussed with a health care provider.
What are other possible symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Some people experience additional symptoms that may not immediately seem related to ovarian cancer.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Ongoing fatigue
- Back pain
- Constipation, diarrhea, or other changes in bowel habits
- Indigestion or an upset stomach
- Menstrual changes
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge that is not normal for you
- Pain during sex
- Unexplained weight loss
- An increase in abdominal size or swelling
These symptoms are often caused by conditions other than ovarian cancer. However, changes that are ongoing, worsening, or unusual for your body should be discussed with a health care provider.
Contact a health care provider right away if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, especially bleeding after menopause.
When are ovarian cancer symptoms concerning?
Ovarian cancer symptoms can be mistaken for digestive, urinary, reproductive, or hormonal conditions.
Symptoms may be more concerning when they are:
- New: The symptom is not normal for your body.
- Doesn’t go away: It continues for two weeks or longer.
- Happens often: It occurs more than two to three times per week.
- Gets worse: It becomes more noticeable or severe over time.
A single symptom that happens occasionally is less likely to be related to ovarian cancer. However, you should not ignore a pattern of symptoms simply because each symptom seems common on its own.
If something feels unusual or different for your body, trust that instinct and speak with a health care provider.
The American Cancer Society provides additional information about patterns associated with ovarian cancer symptoms.
When should you see a doctor?
Schedule an appointment with a health care provider if you experience:
- One or more possible ovarian cancer symptoms for two weeks or longer
- Symptoms that occur more often than normal for you
- Symptoms that interfere with eating, sleeping, work, or daily activities
- A noticeable increase in how often symptoms occur
- Symptoms that become more severe or do not improve
Do not wait two weeks to seek care for unusual vaginal bleeding. Contact a health care provider right away, especially if you have gone through menopause.
Before your appointment, write down:
- When your symptoms began
- How often they occur
- How long they last
- Whether they are getting worse
- What makes them better or worse
- Any personal or family history of cancer
This information can help your health care provider understand what you are experiencing and determine the next steps.
You can also explore NOCC’s Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Ovarian Cancer resources to help you prepare for conversations about risk, testing, diagnosis, and next steps.
The CDC offers additional guidance about when to seek care for possible ovarian cancer symptoms.
What happens when you report possible ovarian cancer symptoms?
Your health care provider may ask about your symptoms, personal medical history, and family cancer history. They may also perform a physical or pelvic exam.
Depending on your symptoms and examination, your health care provider may recommend:
- Imaging tests, such as a transvaginal ultrasound or CT scan
- Blood tests, which may include a CA-125 tumor marker
- A referral to a gynecologic oncologist or another specialist
Symptoms, imaging, and blood tests cannot confirm ovarian cancer on their own. Additional testing may be needed to determine what is causing your symptoms.
An abnormal test result does not automatically mean that you have cancer.
Learn more about how ovarian cancer is diagnosed.
Tracking symptoms can help you notice patterns and explain what you are experiencing more clearly to your health care provider.
NOCC’s free ovarian cancer symptom diary allows you to record:
- Which symptoms you experience
- How often they occur
- How long they last
- Whether they change or worsen over time
- Notes you want to discuss during an appointment
A symptom diary cannot determine whether you have ovarian cancer, but it can help you prepare for a more informed conversation with your health care provider.
Download the Ovarian Cancer Symptom Diary
Why ovarian cancer symptoms are often missed
There is currently no reliable routine screening test for ovarian cancer in people who do not have symptoms and are not known to be at increased risk.
A Pap test screens for cervical cancer. It does not screen for ovarian cancer.
Because there is no routine ovarian cancer screening test, recognizing ongoing changes and seeking medical evaluation is important. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose ovarian cancer, but they can help a health care provider decide whether further testing is needed.
Ovarian cancer symptoms may be overlooked because they:
- Can feel like common stomach, digestive, or urinary problems
- May develop slowly over time
- Can be mistaken for stress, aging, menopause, or hormone changes
- May not seem connected to each other
- Can get better for a while and then come back
Increasing awareness of symptom patterns can help people recognize when a change should be evaluated.
Learn more about the difference between ovarian cancer screening and diagnostic testing.
What conditions can cause similar symptoms?
Many noncancerous conditions can cause symptoms similar to ovarian cancer.
These may include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS
- Urinary tract infections, or UTIs
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Menopause-related changes
- Other digestive or urinary conditions
Tracking your symptoms can help you describe when changes started and how often they occur. However, a symptom diary cannot determine the cause.
Only a healthcare provider can determine whether symptoms are related to ovarian cancer or another condition.
Conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts can cause symptoms that overlap with ovarian cancer concerns. Learn more about PCOS, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and ovarian cancer risk.
Some conditions that cause similar symptoms may also affect a person’s individual risk. Learn more about ovarian cancer risk factors.
Understanding ovarian cancer signs and symptoms
Ovarian cancer symptoms can be easy to overlook because they may also occur with many common, noncancerous conditions. What matters is recognizing symptoms that are new, happen often, do not go away, or are getting worse
Pay attention to what is normal for your body and talk with a health care provider when something feels different or does not go away.
Ask your health care provider to explain:
- Whether your symptoms need further evaluation
- What other conditions could be causing your symptoms
- Which exams, imaging tests, or blood tests may be appropriate
- Whether your personal or family history affects your ovarian cancer risk
- Whether you should see a gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist
- What changes or symptoms you should continue to track
- When you should follow up if your symptoms continue
There is currently no reliable routine screening test for ovarian cancer in people without symptoms. Knowing the signs and symptoms and reporting persistent or unusual changes can help guide appropriate medical evaluation.
Explore additional NOCC information and resources:
Frequently asked questions about ovarian cancer symptoms
Yes. Early-stage ovarian cancer can cause symptoms, including bloating, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly, and urinary changes.
However, some people may not notice symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may be easy to miss or mistaken for more common conditions.
Ovarian cancer symptoms may fluctuate or feel better temporarily. However, they often return, continue over time, or become more noticeable.
Pay attention to symptoms that repeatedly come back, occur more often than normal, or do not fully resolve.
No. Ovarian cancer symptoms vary from person to person and may differ based on the type and stage of ovarian cancer.
Some people experience several symptoms, while others may notice only one or two. What matters is recognizing changes that are unusual for your body.
Ovarian cancer bloating may feel like ongoing abdominal fullness, pressure, tightness, or swelling.
Unlike occasional bloating, it may happen frequently, remain present for long periods, or cause the abdomen to appear larger than usual.
Bloating is common and is usually not caused by cancer. However, persistent bloating that is new for you should be evaluated.
Pain may be felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or back. It may feel like pressure, aching, cramping, or general discomfort.
The location and intensity can vary. New, frequent, or persistent pain should be discussed with a health care provider.
Yes. Ovarian cancer may cause constipation, more frequent urination, or a sudden urge to urinate.
These symptoms are also commonly caused by noncancerous conditions. A new or persistent change in bowel or bladder habits should be evaluated.
No. A Pap test collects cells from the cervix and is used to screen for cervical cancer.
It does not screen for or diagnose ovarian cancer.
Learn more about common ovarian cancer myths and facts, including misconceptions about symptoms, Pap tests, and early detection.
No. The symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are common and are usually caused by noncancerous conditions.
However, symptoms that are new, frequent, persistent, or worsening should be evaluated so your health care provider can determine the cause.
More information about ovarian cancer symptoms
