Signs and symptoms

Often, and especially in its early stages, *cervical cancer has no visible symptoms. Generally, the only way to detect it is through regular Pap tests. The following symptoms can indicate cervical cancer or other health conditions:

• abnormal bleeding from the vagina
• if you have monthly bleeding, bleeding or spotting between regular cycles, or bleeding that lasts longer and is heavier than normal
• pain or bleeding after penetrative frontal sex
• bleeding after menopause (if you have stopped having monthly bleeding because of your age, surgeries or taking hormones)
• clear, watery discharge from the vagina
• foul-smelling or more discharge from the vagina than normal

Other health conditions can also cause the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. If you're taking testosterone, it's important to know that T can cause changes in cervical cells that can mimic cervical cancer. If you have any unusual symptoms, it’s important to get them checked by a healthcare provider.

Visit cancer.ca for more detailed information about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.

*A note on terminology: On this website, we refer to some body parts, including the cervix, vagina and uterus, in order to discuss cervical cancer. We do recognize that many trans men and people on the trans masculine/ female-to-male (FtM) spectrum may feel ambivalent about or distanced from these terms or prefer other terms, such as “front hole.” We minimize our use of these terms wherever possible, while also acknowledging and attempting to normalize the reality that men can have these body parts too.