Cervical Cancer Symptoms: Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is a symptom that affects many women, and can be caused by a wide variety of problems, from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to more serious conditions, like cervical cancer.

When it comes to cervical cancer, pelvic pain is experienced in the later stages of the disease. In fact, early cervical cancer rarely presents any symptoms.

What Does Pelvic Pain Feel Like?

Pelvic pain is pain or pressure felt anywhere in the abdomen below the navel. Pain may be intermittent or constant. Many women describe pelvic pain as a dull ache that may include sharp pains as well.

To help your doctor accurately diagnose the cause of pelvic pain, try to record information like when the pain occurs, what you were doing when the pain occurs, and what helps alleviate the pain. This can include laying down or taking over-the-counter medications to relieve pain.

Pelvic Pain is a Common Symptom of Many Conditions

Although pelvic pain is a symptom of cervical cancer and other gynecologic cancer, it is also the symptom of many other conditions. Possible conditions that cause pelvic pain:

• constipation
• PMS
• urinary tract infections
• kidney stones
• endometriosis
• fibroid tumors
• ovarian cysts
• ectopic pregnancy
• pelvic inflammatory disease

When to See a Doctor

Women who experience regular pelvic pain should have it evaluated by a physician. Mild cramping and pain associated with menstruation is normal and does not require medical attention unless it is very painful (dysmenorrhea). For most women, pelvic pain is caused by a benign condition is not cancer related.