Ovarian cancer and spotting between periods

Spotting is light bleeding outside an expected menstrual period. Hormonal changes, contraception, cervical irritation, infection, polyps, fibroids and other gynaecological conditions can cause it. Ovarian cancer can affect the wider pattern of pelvic symptoms, but spotting alone cannot identify its cause.

A clinician may ask when the bleeding started, how much blood you notice, whether it follows sex, and whether your periods have changed. They may also ask about pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, feeling full quickly, urinary changes, bowel changes and unexplained tiredness. These symptoms can have non-cancer causes as well.

Arrange a medical appointment if spotting is new, keeps returning, happens after menopause, follows sex, or occurs with pelvic symptoms. Record the dates, colour and amount of bleeding, possible triggers, your cycle pattern and any medicines or contraception.

Assessment may include an examination, pregnancy testing when relevant, blood tests or a pelvic ultrasound. A scan can help assess the ovaries and nearby pelvic organs, but further tests may be needed to explain an abnormal finding. Follow-up depends on the examination and results.

Seek urgent medical help for heavy bleeding, faintness, severe or worsening pelvic pain, a swollen or rigid abdomen, fever, or bleeding during pregnancy. Sudden severe pain with vomiting also needs prompt assessment because several urgent pelvic conditions can present this way.

Ask what causes are being considered, whether you need a pelvic examination or ultrasound, which changes should prompt a faster review, and when you should expect results. If ovarian cancer is diagnosed, ask whether genomic tumour profiling, BRCA Genetic Testing, surgery or Chemotherapy is relevant to your care.