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:

  • bleeding in between periods or after the menopause

  • bleeding or spotting 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

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 gynaecologist Open a glossary item. 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.

  • Symptoms suggestive of gynaecological cancers
    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2021

  • Cancer of the vagina: 2021 update
    TS Adams, LJ Rogers and MA Cuello
    International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2021. Volume 155. Pages 19-27

  • Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia
    UpToDate
    Accessed February 2024

  • Vaginal Cancer
    UpToDate
    Accessed February 2024

  • Vaginal cancer treatment 
    PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board
    National Library of Medicine
    Accessed February 2024

  • The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. If you need additional references for this information please contact patientinformation@cancer.org.uk with details of the particular issue you are interested in.

Last reviewed: 
07 Mar 2024
Next review due: 
08 Mar 2027

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