The 5 intimate symptoms that could indicate your partner has cervical cancer – from pain during sex to spotting
WHILE women are primed from a young age to spot suspicious signs in their breasts, they may be less well equipped when it comes to symptoms of cervical cancer.
Signs of the disease – which affects the ‘neck of the womb’ – can crop up during the most intimate moments.
For example, sharp pain or deep discomfort during sex can be a key red flag of cervical cancer, which affects 3,250 people each year, according to gynaecological cancers charity The Eve Appeal.
So it’s not just women who need to know the signs of the condition – it can be really helpful for partners to read up on them too, to make sure your loved one gets concerning symptoms seen to.
Cervical cancer is most common between the ages of 30 and 34.
But women or people with a cervix may develop the disease at any age.
The UK has a free cervical screening programme to pick up early signs of the disease, which saves over 5,000 lives each year.
However, recent figures from Cancer Research UK suggest that up to 31 per cent of eligible people don’t take up cervical smear test invitations.
Many miss these life-saving appointments out of embarrassment or assuming that the procedure is intrusive.
Embarrassment can also stop many women from getting red flag signs of the disease checked.
In honour of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Lorraine Grover, psychosexual nurse specialist at Oxford Online Pharmacy discussed how you can help spot the early warning signs in your partner, which are sometimes more obvious during intimate moments.
From pain during sex to spotting and unusual discharge, here are five symptoms of cervical cancer to know.
1. Unexpected spotting
One of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer is bleeding from the vagina when someone isn’t on their period.
That’s because cervical cancer can cause changes to the blood vessels and cells in the cervix, which makes them more fragile and more likely to bleed during or after intimacy, Lorraine explained.
Minor friction during sex can also cause fragile cervical tissues to bleed if cancerous changes are present.
The bleeding can happen between periods or after menopause, when bleeding shouldn’t occur at all.
“If you spot this, keep a note of when it happens and gently bring it up with your partner, to encourage them to get checked,” Lorraine said.
“You could also make a note of when the bleeding occurs and any patterns.”
2. Pain during sex
A number of women won’t be strangers to discomfort or pain during sex.
Known as dyspareunia, this can be temporary or more long-term.
According to Lorraine, pain or discomfort during sex shouldn’t be ignored.
Vaginismus, when the vagina suddenly tightens up when you try to insert something into it, can be a possible cause of this and tends to be common in women in their late teens and early 30s.
“It can feel like ‘a brick wall’ when trying to insert anything into the vagina,” Lorraine said.
“Please let the healthcare professional know if this is experienced by you or your partner, so help can be given.
“Many other conditions can cause this symptom, but if it’s persistent and your partner describes a sudden, sharp, burning pain or deep pelvic discomfort during or after intimacy it could be worth looking into.
Cervical cancer screening
Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer.
It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
Cervical cancer screening is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64.
Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier.
During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Those that test positive are then analysed further.
You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment for a screening.
You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter.
If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.
What happens during the screening
- You’ll need to undress, behind a screen, from the waist down. You’ll be given a sheet to put over you.
- The nurse will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test.
- They’ll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used.
- The nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
- Using a soft brush, they’ll take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
- The nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.
The cervical screening test itself should take less than five minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.
Source: NHS
“Cervical cancer can cause inflammation or even press on surrounding tissues and nerves, leading to pain.
“And this could happen on other occasions separate from sexual activity too – showing up as a dull ache, a twisted or knotted feeling, or cramping, which may come and go.”
Pain or discomfort during intimacy can undoubtedly take a toll on someone’s confidence, so Lorraine stressed that “sensitive, open communication is crucial”.
She added: “If sex becomes uncomfortable, explore non-penetrative ways to be close, to reduce pressure on them and maintain intimacy.
“No one should ever have to experience pain during sex It is important to seek medical advice if this is the case.”
3. Unpleasant vaginal discharge
It’s completely normal to experience vaginal discharge – in fact, most women and girls get it.
Despite the presumption that discharge is something gross, the fluid actually helps keep the vagina clean and moist and protects it from infection.
But there may be cause for concern if someone experience more discharge than usual and the liquid is strong smelling or watery.
Sometimes, discharge caused by cervical cancer may even contain blood.
“Tumours in the cervix can cause irritation and excess fluid production, sometimes mixed with blood or infected tissue,” Lorraine explained.
“This symptom can easily be mistaken for an infection, like bacterial vaginosis, so don’t jump to conclusions – but encourage your partner to see a doctor.”
4. Bloating and swelling
Persistent bloating can be another red flag sign of cervical cancer.
And in some advanced cases, the disease causes a buildup of urine in the kidneys, which causes swelling of the hands, ankles and feet.
“So, if you notice swelling or persistent bloating, keep track of symptoms and delicately ask your partner if they have seen anything unusual,” Lorraine said.
“Encouraging them to stay hydrated may also help reduce bloating and support their overall health.”
5. Unexplained weight loss
Noticing that your partner is losing weight without meaning to?
It’s important not to jump to conclusions. But in some cases, unintentional weight loss can be a red flag symptom of cancer.
Lorraine explained: “Our bodies produce small proteins called cytokines when trying to stave off infection.
“Cytokines break down fat at a higher rate than normal, which means you continue to lose weight, no matter how much you’re eating.”
Fatigue can be another another common sign of cervical cancer, as the body uses more energy to fight inflammation or infection.
“If you spot these signs in your partner, it’s best to handle this conversation as delicately as possible,” Lorraine noted.
“Encourage a check-up and suggest cooking some energy-rich meals together – it’s a small step to help your partner feel supported.”
Who's at risk of cervical cancer?
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses that most people will get some type of HPV during their lives.
It’s very common and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about.
You can get HPV from any kind of skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, not just from penetrative sex.
This includes:
- Vaginal, oral or anal sex
- Any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
- Sharing sex toys
In most cases your body will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems.
But sometimes HPV can stay in your body for a long time and some types of high risk types of HPV can cause cervical cancer.
If high risk types of HPV stay in your body, they can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes may become cervical cancer if not treated.
How to lower your risk of cervical cancer
You can’t always prevent cervical cancer. But there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting cervical cancer.
Cervical screening and HPV vaccination are the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
- All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for regular cervical screening. It helps find and treat any changes in the cells of the cervix before they can turn into cancer.
- All children aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine. It helps protect against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as some other cancers and genital warts.
You can also lower your chance of getting cervical cancer by:
- Using condoms, which lower your chance of getting HPV – but they do not cover all the skin around your genitals so you’re not fully protected
- Quitting smoking – smoking can weaken your immune system and the chemicals in cigarettes can also cause cervical cancer
Source: NHS
How to bring up your concerns with your partner
Lorraine said: “If you’ve noticed something unusual, approach your partner with care by gently bringing up your concerns and encouraging them to book a GP appointment.
“It may be they have started to avoid being intimate – fear, shame and embarrassment talking about genitalia can increase anxiety.
“Normalising discussion about genitalia can help to educate and empower women to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
“Offer to help them prepare by noting down their symptoms, when they started, and any relevant family history of cancer.
“Reassure them about the process: the GP may examine their cervix, take swabs for infections, or refer them for further tests like a colposcopy.
“Remind them that early action gives the best chance of successful treatment and recovery.”
Being supportive towards your partner in small ways can make the world of a difference, Lorraine added.
“Offer emotional support by listening, being patient, and accompanying them if they feel anxious.
“Small gestures, like helping them book the appointment, can make a big difference.
“Let them know you’re in this together, every step of the way.”