Often it’s hard to distinguish between what’s normal and what needs a doctor's attention. Here are the most common health symptoms women should not ignore.

Symptom #1: Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain can indicate benign uterine fibroids, endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.

“Fortunately, most pelvic discomfort isn’t related to ovarian cancer, but women should know the disease’s unremitting constellation of symptoms,” Holly Puritz, MD, FACOG, an obstetrician and gynecologist told WebMD.

The constellation of symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and cramps nausea, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, constipation, or sudden unexplained weight change.

“If you have two weeks of bloating, pelvic pressure, and frequent urination -- and every day, you have it -- that’s a potential sign you should be checked for possible symptoms of ovarian cancer,” said Puritz in WebMD.

Symptom #2: Irregular Vaginal Bleeding

Irregular vaginal bleeding could come from multiple causes that aren’t serious including perimenopause, uterine fibroids or polyps, reported WebMD.

For bleeding after sex, Redbook.com wrote that an unlikely culprit could be chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection. The least common scenario would be cervical cancer.

One common cause for spotting between periods is not taking oral contraceptives at the same time every day. Less likely culprits are uterine fibroids. And the least common scenario is endometrial cancer, which frequently causes irregular vaginal bleeding in premenopausal women, wrote Redbook.com.

Symptom #3: Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Abnormal vaginal discharge may signify an easily treatable infection, said HealthCentral.com. This includes a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. MDAnderson.org warned that vaginal discharge colored with blood is sometimes a sign of cervical or endometrial cancer.

Symptom #4: Persistent Itch

Redbook.com wrote that the most common cause is a yeast infection. The least common scenario is vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, a growth on the outer vaginal lips that may turn into vulvar cancer if untreated.

Symptom #5: Itchy Red Rash

An itchy red rash often indicates an allergic reaction to something. Rashes can also indicate sexually transmitted diseases, said HealthCentral.com.

Symptom #6: Sores or Lumps

Some women develop benign sebaceous cysts and skin tags in the groin area. However some sores may point to herpes or cancer, wrote WebMD. Symptoms of vulvar cancer include unusual lumps, wart-like bumps, or red, flat sores that don’t heal -- all near the genitals.

Symptom #7: Pain During Sex

The most common cause of pain during sex is vaginal dryness. The least likely culprit is an ovarian cyst, said Redbook.com. NBC News added another culprit, which is endometriosis. Untreated, endometriosis can lead to infertility and possibly tumors that could develop into certain types of ovarian cancer.

Symptom #8: Burning or Frequent Urination

This usually indicates a urinary tract infection. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions, such as cystitis, wrote HealthCentral.com.

Having one or more of these health symptoms doesn’t always indicate something serious. However if they last two weeks or longer, see your doctor cautioned MDAnderson.com. It’s better to err on the side of caution.

Sources:

Bailey, Eileen. "8 Sexual Health Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore - Sexual Health." HealthCentral.com - Trusted, Reliable and Up To Date Health Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
http://www.healthcentral.com/sexual-health/c/1443/159733/sexual-symptoms-shouldn

"Cancer Symptoms in Women: Gynecologic Cancer Symptoms | MD Anderson Cancer Center." Cancer Treatment and Cancer Research | MD Anderson Cancer Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
http://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/news-releases/2012/cancersymptomswomen.html

Colino, Stacey. "10 symptoms not to ignore - Health - Health care - More health news | NBC News." Breaking News & Top Stories - World News, US & Local | NBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37932699

Graves, Ginny. "8 Warning Signs Women Over 40 Shouldn't Ignore | MORE Magazine." MORE Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
http://www.more.com/health/wellness/8-warning-signs-women-over-40-shouldnt-ignore-0

Kam, Katherine. "Women’s Sexual Symptoms: Bleeding After Sex, Pelvic Pain, and More." Women's Health Center: Information on Women's Wellness, Nutrition, Fitness, Intimate Questions, and Weight Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
http://women.webmd.com/features/womens-sexual-symptoms?ecd=wnl_sxr_030213&ctr=wnl-sxr-030213_hdln_4&mb=

"Sexual-Health Symptoms: 6 Times You Must See a Doctor - Redbook." Sex Tips, Marriage Advice, Getting Pregnant, & Online Sweepstakes - Redbook. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
http://www.redbookmag.com/health-wellness/advice/sexual-health-symptoms-yl

Reviewed March 28, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith