Can Ovarian Cancer Cause Blood in the Urine? Understanding This Potential Symptom
January 24, 2025

Can ovarian cancer cause blood in the urine? While ovarian cancer itself rarely causes blood in the urine directly, it’s a symptom that deserves your attention. Blood in the urine (also called hematuria) is more commonly associated with other conditions, but here’s why you shouldn’t ignore it, especially if you’re concerned about ovarian cancer.
Can Ovarian Cancer Cause Blood in the Urine?
Ovarian cancer doesn’t typically cause blood in the urine directly. However, advanced ovarian cancer can cause hematuria through multiple mechanisms: it may press against or directly invade the bladder or ureters, leading to obstructive hydronephrosis, where urine builds up and enlarges the kidneys.
Additionally, certain types of ovarian cancer treatment can cause renal failure or nephritic syndromes that result in blood in the urine.
But don’t panic. Blood in your urine is way more likely to be caused by other conditions. That said, any unexplained blood in your urine needs immediate medical attention.
Which Cancer Causes Blood in the Urine?
Several types of cancer can cause blood to appear in the urine:
- Bladder Cancer: This is the big one. If you’re seeing blood in your urine with no pain, bladder cancer should be on your radar. It’s actually the most common first sign of bladder cancer.
- Kidney Cancer: Another major player. Kidney cancer can cause your urine to look rusty or dark red.
- Advanced Ovarian Cancer: While not a direct cause, it can sometimes lead to urinary symptoms, including blood, due to tumor pressure on nearby organs.
What’s Really Going On When There’s Blood in Your Urine?
Before assuming blood in your urine, it’s important to note that in pre-menopausal women, what appears to be blood in the toilet after urinating often comes from the vagina rather than the urinary tract. However, when true hematuria (blood in urine) is confirmed, there are several common causes your doctor will investigate.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common, especially in women, typically accompanied by pain and discomfort. Kidney stones can cause bleeding as they move through and irritate the urinary tract. Bladder infections can lead to blood in the urine along with burning sensations and increased urinary frequency.
Some medications, particularly blood thinners, may cause hematuria as a side effect. Intense physical activity can occasionally result in blood in the urine, though this is rare and typically resolves independently.
What to Do if There is Blood in Your Urine
First things first: Don’t freak out, but don’t ignore it either. The most important step is to call your doctor immediately. This isn’t something to “wait and see” about. Your doctor needs to know about any blood in your urine, even if it only happened once.
Your doctor will order tests to determine the cause. A urinalysis can detect infection, protein levels (indicating kidney damage), bilirubin (suggesting hemolytic issues or liver dysfunction), and other abnormalities. Additional tests may include imaging studies such as CT scans or ultrasounds, and possibly a cystoscopy – a procedure where they look inside your bladder with a tiny camera. Together, these tests help identify the underlying cause of the bleeding.
Don’t wait to make an appointment with your primary care physician or gynecologist. They may refer you to a specialist like a urologist for bladder issues or another gynecologist or urogynecologist for a second opinion, depending on your initial examination and test results.
While waiting for your appointment, keep detailed notes about your symptoms. Document when you notice the blood, whether it’s accompanied by pain, and how long it’s been happening. This information will help your doctor make a more accurate diagnosis. Also note any other symptoms you’re experiencing, as these details can be crucial for determining the underlying cause.
Is Blood in the Urine One of the Main Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
While blood in your urine isn’t typically related to ovarian cancer, it’s still a symptom that requires medical evaluation. Here are the key warning signs and ovarian cancer symptoms to watch for:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding: Women should be particularly alert to this symptom, especially after menopause. Any unexpected bleeding needs prompt medical attention.
- Early satiety and appetite changes: A noticeable decrease in appetite or feeling full after eating small amounts of food could be significant. Pay attention if you can’t finish meals like you used to.
- Persistent bloating: This isn’t your typical post-meal fullness. With ovarian cancer, bloating tends to be constant and may intensify over time. Your waistband might feel tighter even without overall weight gain.
- Worsening symptoms: Watch for escalating issues like increasing abdominal pressure, growing difficulty with urination or bowel movements, and heightened discomfort during intercourse.
- Pelvic and abdominal discomfort: The pain can vary from mild to intense and may mimic menstrual cramps at unusual times. Be aware of ongoing pelvic pressure that doesn’t respond to normal remedies.
- Shifts in bathroom patterns: Notice if you’re urinating more frequently or urgently, or experiencing unexpected changes in bowel habits. This could include sudden onset of constipation or diarrhea.
- Back discomfort: New and persistent lower back pain, particularly if it’s unrelated to physical activity or injury, warrants attention.
- Changes in weight: Any unexplained weight changes, especially when combined with abdominal bloating, should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Remember that these symptoms often overlap with less serious conditions. However, if any persist for two weeks straight or occur more than 12 times within a month, consult your doctor promptly.
Taking Control of Your Health
The path to a diagnosis isn’t always straightforward, especially when symptoms like blood in urine can point to multiple conditions. But here’s what we know for certain: women need to be fierce advocates for their own health. If something doesn’t feel right, persist until you get answers. Your concerns are valid; you deserve healthcare providers who take them seriously.
At Not These Ovaries, we’re committed to supporting women through our ovarian cancer research fund that advances our understanding of ovarian cancer, leading to better detection methods and treatment options. Every woman’s health journey matters; no one should face these concerns alone. Together, we can work toward a future where fewer women have to wonder about unexplained symptoms, and more can get the answers they need when they need them.