Should Gen Z Women Worry About Persistent Pelvic Pain? - Dr Nikhil Dharmadhikari
Every year, we’re reminded of the importance of awareness, early detection, and action in the face of one of the most under-discussed cancers. And today, I want to speak directly to a group that often feels far removed from the conversation: Gen Z women.
If you're in your teens or twenties, you've probably brushed off symptoms like pelvic pain, bloating, or irregular periods as “normal,” “stress-related,” or part of being hormonal. But here's what I tell my patients — just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
“It's probably just PCOS”… or is it?
One of the most frequent conditions I see in younger women is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — a hormonal disorder that affects up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
Symptoms often include irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and yes — pelvic pain and bloating. But here’s the tricky part: these symptoms also overlap with those of ovarian cancer.
Now, I’m not saying having PCOS means you’ll get ovarian cancer. The relationship is still being studied. But long-standing hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammation — both present in PCOS — are being explored as possible risk factors. More importantly, having PCOS can sometimes cause us to normalize or dismiss symptoms that actually deserve a closer look.
Common Symptoms Younger Women Often Miss
Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent killer” — not because it has no symptoms, but because those symptoms are vague and often mistaken for something else. These include:
- Persistent bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Feeling full quickly or difficulty eating
- Changes in bowel habits
- Frequent need to urinate
- Unexplained fatigue or back pain
Sound familiar? These symptoms can easily be chalked up to stress, a bad diet, or period-related discomfort — especially in younger women. That’s what makes ovarian cancer so dangerous. It’s often diagnosed late, when treatment becomes more difficult.
Gen Z: Trust your body, and Speak Up
If you're reading this and thinking, “But I’m too young to worry about cancer” — I hear you. Statistically, ovarian cancer is more common in postmenopausal women. But younger women are not immune, and being proactive about your health can save your life.
Here’s what I recommend: If you have ongoing pelvic pain or bloating, don’t ignore it. Track your symptoms and bring them up with your doctor. Advocate for pelvic exams and ultrasounds if something feels off.
Ask about your family history — particularly of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer. Don’t let your concerns be dismissed. You deserve to be taken seriously, no matter your age.
Let’s move beyond the idea that bloating is just a minor inconvenience, or that painful periods are something we have to live with. Let’s give young women the language, the tools, and the confidence to say, “This doesn’t feel normal, and I want to understand why.”
Because early detection saves lives, and sometimes, it starts with simply not ignoring the signs.