Symptoms of vaginal cancer
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).
Your doctor or nurse may pick up signs of VAIN or vaginal cancer during routine cervical screening.
Possible symptoms
The most common symptoms of vaginal cancer include:
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bleeding in between periods or after the menopause
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bleeding or spotting after sex
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vaginal discharge that smells or is blood stained
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pain during sexual intercourse
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a lump or growth in the vagina that you or your doctor can feel
Remember that many of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, such as infection.
Other symptoms
These symptoms are more likely with advanced vaginal cancer:
- 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
Risk after hysterectomy
It is possible to get vaginal cancer, even if you have had your womb removed (a hysterectomy). If you have any of the symptoms of vaginal cancer you should go to your GP or 
. The gynaecologist can take a sample of cells from the top of the vagina. This is called a vault smear.
If you had your womb removed for pre cancerous cells of the cervix (CIN), you may have regular examinations for about 18 months afterwards.
If you have any of these symptoms you must get them checked by your GP. But remember, they can all be caused by other conditions. Most people with these symptoms don’t have vaginal cancer.
