Can Recurrent UTIs Be a Sign of Ovarian Cancer?

Can recurrent UTIs be a sign of ovarian cancer? It’s a question that doesn’t get asked nearly enough, yet it’s one that could potentially save lives. 

The short answer is: in some cases, recurring urinary tract symptoms can be associated with ovarian cancer. While most UTIs are exactly what they seem — annoying but treatable bacterial infections — sometimes, persistent or recurring UTI symptoms might be waving a red flag about something more serious.

This was the case for neuroscientist Dr. Nadia Chaudhri, who went viral after sharing how her ovarian cancer was initially misdiagnosed as a UTI despite not having classic symptoms. After months of antibiotics and worsening health, proper testing finally revealed cancer — six months after her symptoms began.

When “Just Another UTI” Keeps Coming Back

UTIs are remarkably common in women’s health. Research shows approximately half of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. These infections typically cause discomfort and inconvenience but usually respond well to antibiotic treatment. The concerning scenario develops when symptoms persist or continually return despite appropriate treatment.

This is where symptom overlap creates diagnostic challenges. Common symptoms that appear in both conditions include:

• Frequent urination
• Urinary urgency
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Painful urination (dysuria)

These could point to a UTI. But when antibiotics don’t seem to help, or symptoms return quickly after treatment, it might be time to consider other possibilities, including ovarian cancer.

The UTI and Ovarian Cancer Connection

The relationship between UTIs and ovarian cancer isn’t straightforward. Ovarian cancer doesn’t cause UTIs directly, but it can mimic and overlap with UTI symptoms in ways that lead to misdiagnosis.

Here’s what happens: As ovarian tumors grow, they can press against the bladder. This pressure can create sensations identical to what you’d feel with a UTI: urgency, frequency, and discomfort. And because ovarian cancer often doesn’t present with obvious symptoms until later stages, these urinary symptoms might be your body’s earliest warning signs. Importantly, burning during urination (dysuria) is not typically associated with ovarian cancer and almost always indicates an actual UTI — though it’s worth noting that some UTIs can occur without this burning sensation.

Why Misdiagnosis Happens

Many women experience a frustrating cycle of repeated doctor visits for what seems like recurring UTIs. They receive antibiotics and experience temporary relief, but then the symptoms return. For some, when symptoms persist despite treatment, a more thorough examination eventually reveals ovarian cancer.

This pattern is unfortunately common. Many women have similar experiences, reporting multiple doctor visits before finding a healthcare provider who recognizes the urgency of their symptoms and directs them to appropriate diagnostic evaluation.

Here’s why the confusion happens:

• Similar symptoms. Both conditions can cause pelvic discomfort, urinary changes, and a general feeling of unwellness.
• Expectation bias. UTIs are common; ovarian cancer is rarer. Doctors naturally look for common explanations first.
• Incomplete testing. A simple dipstick test might suggest infection, but without a proper urine culture or without a properly collected clean-catch sample by the patient, it’s impossible to confirm if bacteria are actually present.
• Partial response. Sometimes, UTI symptoms might temporarily improve with antibiotics (due to anti-inflammatory effects), even when the root cause is something else.

Red Flags: When UTI Symptoms Need Further Investigation

Not every recurring UTI means cancer, but specific patterns should prompt further investigation. Be particularly alert if you experience:

• UTI symptoms without bacteria. Pay attention if your urine culture comes back negative (no bacteria found) despite having typical UTI symptoms.
• Persistent symptoms despite antibiotics. Be concerned if appropriate antibiotic treatment doesn’t resolve your symptoms.
• Blood in urine with no infection. While UTIs can cause blood in urine, this symptom without confirmed infection needs immediate attention.
• New onset of UTI symptoms after age 50. First-time UTI symptoms appearing after menopause should be investigated thoroughly, though it’s important to note that recurrent UTIs are very common in postmenopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels, which causes changes in the urinary tract that make infections more likely.
• Additional symptoms like bloating, feeling full quickly, or unexplained weight changes. These are classic ovarian cancer warning signs that might appear alongside urinary symptoms.

Target Ovarian Cancer emphasizes an important guideline: “Recurrent symptoms of urinary tract infection should always be investigated by sending the mid-stream urine for culture. If the urine is repeatedly sterile, and the woman is over 50, a CA125 blood test and ultrasound of the pelvis and abdomen should be considered.”

When UTI and Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Overlap

The confusion between UTIs and ovarian cancer isn’t just frustrating; it can be dangerous. Research has shown that women with ovarian cancer often report having been treated for UTIs before their cancer diagnosis, suggesting critical delays in receiving appropriate care.

Here’s a closer look at how symptoms can overlap:

The key difference? UTI symptoms typically resolve with proper antibiotic treatment within a few days. Ovarian cancer symptoms tend to persist and gradually worsen over time.

Beyond UTIs: Other Conditions That Mimic Ovarian Cancer

UTIs aren’t the only condition that can mask ovarian cancer symptoms. Other conditions that share similar symptoms include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Bloating and abdominal discomfort are common in both conditions.
• Endometriosis: This condition shares pelvic pain and sometimes urinary symptoms with ovarian cancer. (Read more about the connection between endometriosis and ovarian cancer.)
• Bladder disorders: Conditions like interstitial cystitis can cause UTI-like symptoms without infection.
• Kidney stones: These can cause severe pain and urinary symptoms that might be confused with other conditions.
• Menopause: Some urinary changes and discomfort can occur during this transitional phase.

If you’re diagnosed with any of these conditions but treatments aren’t working as expected, it’s worth discussing ovarian cancer screening with your doctor, especially if you’re over 50 or have other risk factors.

Advocating for Yourself: Getting Proper Testing

If you’re experiencing recurrent UTI symptoms, here’s how to advocate for yourself:

Request a urine culture, not just a dipstick test. This confirms whether bacteria are actually present.

Keep a symptom diary. Document when symptoms occur, their severity, and how they respond to treatment.

Ask specific questions like whether symptoms could be caused by something other than a UTI, what tests can rule out ovarian cancer, and whether you should see a specialist.

Know when to seek further testing. If you’re over 50 with recurring UTI symptoms and negative urine cultures, request a CA-125 blood test, transvaginal ultrasound, and referral to a gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist.

The Reality of Ovarian Cancer Detection

The medical reality presents a significant challenge: early detection of ovarian cancer remains difficult. This absence of effective screening makes symptom awareness essential for early detection. The statistics clearly demonstrate the importance of early diagnosis: when ovarian cancer is detected at Stage I, the 5-year survival rate exceeds 90%. However, when discovered at Stage III or IV (where most diagnoses occur), survival rates decrease to approximately 30%.

This information serves not to alarm but to empower women with knowledge that can significantly impact health outcomes. And while any woman can develop ovarian cancer, certain factors increase risk. Be particularly attentive to UTI symptoms that don’t resolve normally if you have:

• Family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer
• BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
• Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Age over 50
• Endometriosis
• Never been pregnant
• Obesity

The Bottom Line: UTI and Ovarian Cancer

Can recurrent UTIs be a sign of ovarian cancer? While most UTIs are simply infections that respond to antibiotics, persistent or recurrent UTI symptoms, especially when urine cultures are negative, can sometimes be a sign of ovarian cancer. This is particularly true when these symptoms appear alongside other warning signs like bloating, feeling full quickly, or pelvic pain.

At Not These Ovaries, we’re committed to funding research that improves early detection and treatment options for ovarian cancer. But until better screening tools exist, symptom awareness and prompt medical attention remain our best defense.