Is your period hiding gynecological cancer? Gynaecologist Dr Pooja Chaudhary warns against ignoring these 4 silent signs

Changes in bleeding, pelvic pain, unusual discharge, and persistent bloating can have many causes. Still, when symptoms are new, unusual, or persistent, women should not simply blame them on periods or menopause. Gynecological cancers can affect the uterus, cervix, ovaries, vagina, and vulva. Early symptoms are sometimes subtle and can resemble common period or menopause-related changes. This can lead women to delay a medical consultation, especially when symptoms are attributed to hormonal fluctuations or aging. While most menstrual or menopausal symptoms are not caused by cancer, a new or persistent change deserves attention.

Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust. Career journey and experience Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon. From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?” Subject expertise With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions. In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context. Education and professional background Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first. Editorial Philosophy I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers.

"Knowing the warning signs can help women seek timely medical advice and, when necessary, early diagnosis and treatment," Dr Pooja Chaudhary, Consultant in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Laparoscopic Surgery at Motherhood Hospitals, Greater Noida, tells Health Shots .

Women should consult a gynecologist if symptoms are unusual for them, persist despite routine measures, worsen, or interfere with daily life. Doctors may recommend a pelvic examination, cervical screening, ultrasound, or blood tests depending on the symptoms.

When something changes and does not settle, listening to your body and seeking medical advice can make a meaningful difference.