It’s rare to have symptoms if you have very early vaginal cancer or abnormal cell changes in the lining of the vagina, called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).

As many as 20 in 100 women (20%) diagnosed with vaginal cancer don’t have symptoms at all. Your doctor may pick up signs of VAIN or very early vaginal cancer during routine cervical screening.

As with most cancers, doctors can successfully treat this early stage of the disease. 

The most common symptoms of vaginal cancer are:

  • bleeding in between periods or after menopause

  • bleeding after sex

  • vaginal discharge that smells or is blood stained

  • pain during sexual intercourse

  • a lump or growth in the vagina that you or your doctor can feel

  • a vaginal itch that won’t go away

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if:

  • constipation

  • feeling unable to completely empty your bowels even if there is nothing there to come out

  • swelling in your legs (oedema)

  • pain in the pelvic area that won’t go away

  • pain when going for a wee, blood in your wee, or going more often than usual

… be sure to visit your doctor for a check-up.

Remember, most women with symptoms like these do not have cancer. Your awareness of your symptoms is the first and most important step – early diagnosis can save lives.