How Ovarian Cancer Can Affect Weeing & Urination

Ovarian cancer can affect your weeing and urination. You might notice changes such as needing to wee more often, needing to pee suddenly, finding it hard to empty your bladder fully, or feeling discomfort when you wee.

If you notice ongoing changes to your bladder habits, it’s always best to speak to your GP.

Why ovarian cancer can affect urination

Tumour growth

Ovarian cancer can affect how you wee (urinate), mainly because of where the ovaries sit in the body, as they’re located deep in the pelvis, close to the bladder and bowel. When a tumour grows in or around the ovaries, it can cause pressure on the bladder and irritate nearby nerves and tissues.

Fluid buildup

Fluid build-up in the abdomen (known as ascites) is a common complication of ovarian cancer, particularly in more advanced stages. It happens because of a combination of factors, for instance, because the tumour irritates the lining of the tummy, this then blocks the body’s normal drainage system.

Spread of cancer

Ovarian cancer can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. This happens when cancer cells spread from the ovaries to nearby areas, such as the lining of the tummy, the bladder, or the bowel, and occasionally to more distant organs. As these cells grow, they can irritate nearby nerves and put pressure on the bladder, which may cause urgency to wee and sensitivity.

Common urinary symptoms of ovarian cancer

Weeing more frequently

Due to pressure from the tumour, this can cause you to wee more frequently as your bladder may not be able to fill properly and can become extra sensitive.

Difficulty peeing

Ovarian cancer can make it hard to wee because of increased pressure or irritation from the tumour. Tumours or a build-up of fluid in the abdomen can press on the bladder or the urethra, making it harder than usual to empty your bladder.

Are changes in urination a symptom of ovarian cancer?

Changes in urination can be a sign of many things, ovarian cancer being one of them. However, needing to wee more is not always a sign of ovarian cancer.

Is abdominal pain and changes in urination a sign of ovarian cancer?

Abdominal pain and changes in urination can be signs of ovarian cancer, but they don’t always mean it’s cancer. These symptoms can also be caused by other, more common conditions, like urinary infections, digestive issues, or other benign problems.

However, it's always important to see a doctor if these symptoms are new, persistent, or unusual for you, especially if they are accompanied by bloating, needing to pee more, feeling full and tummy pain (including pain down to the tops of your thighs).

When to seek medical advice

If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer that are persistent, it's important to see a GP as early as possible. With ovarian cancer, early detection is key. Whilst these symptoms do not always mean ovarian cancer, it is always best to get checked by a medical professional.

Common causes of changes in urination

UTI's

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can make you wee more often because it irritates your bladder. The bladder feels full even when it’s not, and the nerves send extra signals to your brain saying it’s time to go to the toilet. This can make you feel a strong urge to wee, sometimes with discomfort or a burning feeling.

Diabetes

Diabetes can make you wee more often because having too much sugar in your blood pulls extra water into your urine. This makes your bladder fill up faster, so you feel like you need to go more often.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the growing baby presses on your bladder, which makes it harder for you to hold urine. This means you often feel like you need to wee, even if your bladder isn’t full.

Diuretics (water tablets)

Diuretics are medicines that make your body get rid of extra water. They make your kidneys put more water into your urine, so you pee more often than usual.

Interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (also called bladder pain syndrome) occurs when the bladder becomes inflamed without a definitive cause. It can make the bladder very sensitive, so you feel the urge to wee more often, sometimes with pain or discomfort. It can cause:

• Intense pelvic pain (felt over your lower tummy)
• Sudden strong urges to pee
• Needing to pee more often than usual
• Pain in your lower tummy when your bladder is filling up, which is relieved when you pee

Lifestyle changes

Certain foods and drinks, like lots of caffeine or alcohol, can irritate the bladder or make you produce more urine. Drinking a lot of fluids also makes you wee more often.

Can ovarian cancer cause blood in your wee?

Blood in your wee alone is not a symptom of ovarian cancer. However, if you ever notice blood in your wee, it’s important to speak to your GP as soon as possible to find out what’s causing it.

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