Bleeding outside of your usual cycle, or after the menopause, should always be checked out. this includes:

Post-menopausal bleeding Even if it’s just a small amount, bleeding after you’ve been through the menopause could be a symptom of cancer in the lining of the womb, especially in women over 50.

Post-menopausal bleeding may also be a symptom of cervical cancer, although the rates in the UK are low, and cancer of the vulva, although this is usually accompanied by a lump or an ulcer on the vulva.

While it’s important to remember that, in the vast majority of cases the cause will be benign (non-cancerous), early detection of cancer is key to successful treatment.

Bleeding after sex There are many causes for bleeding after intercourse, the majority of which are benign (non-cancerous). It can be due to infection with chlamydia (a sexually transmitted infection), polyps (these are like skin tags) or injury.

However, it can also be an early warning sign for cancer of the cervix, so it’s important to get seek advice.

Bleeding between periods While bleeding in between periods can be caused by hormonal changes or harmless polyps, it can also be a sign of endometrial or cervical cancer, so it’s best to get it checked by a medical professional.

All women will experience some vaginal discharge during their menstrual cycle. Healthy discharge will normally be clear or milky with no unpleasant smell. 

Most commonly, vaginal discharge is associated with sexually transmitted infections, or infections such as thrush – caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called candida that normally lives in the gut. If you’re pregnant, on the pill, are taking antibiotics, or have diabetes, you may be more prone to this. 

If you notice discharge that’s thick, blood-stained, has a strong odour or is very different from usual, it could be a symptom of cervical or endometrial cancer. The best course of action is to book an appointment to have it checked.

All women will experience abdominal bloating and swelling at some point in their lives. 

Often, it will be the result of common bowel disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, if you’re in your late forties or older, and are experiencing this symptom for the first time, there’s a small chance it could be due to ovarian cancer. 

Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer” because symptoms often surface only once the cancer is more advanced. However, following discussions with my ovarian cancer patients, it has become clear to me that many women experience symptoms for several months before their cancer is detected. 

It’s crucial that you get any instances of bloating or swelling checked out. We can organise an ultrasound scan to check the ovaries and, if they’re enlarged or appear abnormal, we can then carry out further tests to check for ovarian cancer.

The skin on the vulva can be quite sensitive and itching is quite common, particularly in older women. This is often due to dryness or skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. But if it persists, or you notice changes to the skin, including lumps, ulcers or thickened areas, you should see a specialist to get it checked out, as it could be a sign of vulval cancer.

Like all gynaecological cancers, vulval cancer is easily treated if it is detected early. If there is any suspicion of cancer, you’ll have a biopsy and the sample will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. The biopsy is a straightforward procedure and can be carried out here in the clinic with just a local anaesthetic.

If the biopsy indicates that cancer is present, then you can have an operation to remove the area affected. This treatment is highly successful cases where the cancer has been identified early. However, for at least a third of women with vulval cancer, the diagnosis comes at a point when the cancer is quite advanced. This is often because they’ve felt too embarrassed to go to their doctor about their symptoms.

Remember – there’s nothing to be embarrassed about – we’ll treat you with care and sensitivity.