11 Common Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore

Once most people hit their forties, an array of symptoms begin to pop up. Many of them are simply changes that come with natural aging. However, some symptoms can signal serious health problems.

Paying attention to when new symptoms occur and looping in your physician can help you stay on top of your health and longevity. Here are 11 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Out-of-the-Ordinary Breast Changes

The size, feel, and look of your breasts is as individual as you are, and breasts often change throughout the menstrual cycle. Some women normally have lumps; others get a lump every month before their period.

Not all breast changes point to cancer, says Rosmy Barrios, MD, director of the Regenerative Medicine Department at the Specialized Clinic for Regenerative Medicine P.A.R.K.S in Novi Sad, Serbia. But it’s always better to err on the side of caution and get it checked out.

Susan Oakley, MD, a urogynecologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Newport, Kentucky, recommends yearly mammograms after you turn 40. She suggests people schedule it during their birth month to help them remember.

2. Irregular Vaginal Bleeding

• Birth control changes
• Cervical or vaginal infections
• Intercourse
• Perimenopause
• Sexually transmitted infections

In addition to these factors, irregular vaginal bleeding can also be the first sign of cervical or uterine cancer, says Dr. Oakley, “so it is critical to stay up-to-date with your Pap smear and reach out to your gynecologist if this bleeding occurs.”

3. Sudden Weight Changes

If you gain or lose 10 or more pounds over 6 to 12 months, it could be a sign of a medical issue. “Without changing your diet or activity levels,” says Oakley, “sudden weight gain could indicate a benign tumor in your body producing abnormal amounts of certain steroids or hormones [or another cause].”

“One of the most common causes of sudden weight gain is hypothyroidism,” explains Dr. Barrios. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormones, which can lead to weight gain and fatigue, among other symptoms.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease

4. Moles That Bleed or Change

• Asymmetric appearance
• Border that’s irregular
• Color variation
• Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
• Evolving size, color, and shape

“If you have a mole that changes or bleeds,” says Laura Purdy, MD, a family medicine physician in private practice in Calabasas, California, “then you definitely want to check in with your doctor to see if you need to have a biopsy.”

If there's a history of skin cancer in your family, watch your moles even more closely, and get them routinely checked. If you have a concern about a mole, it may be wise to take a photo of it every six months to make it easier to notice changes over time.

5. Persistent Leg Pain

For simple muscle aches and pains, you can treat your symptoms at home with rest, ice, and elevating your leg. If the pain persists, however, work with your physician to decide if more intervention or treatment is needed.

These signs should be tended to at once, particularly if you’re at higher risk for DVT. “Sometimes,” says Dr. Purdy, “blood clots can break off and become clots in the lungs, which can be life-threatening.”

If you’re at risk for DVT and develop a red, swollen calf that is warm to the touch, seek medical attention immediately.

6. Heart Palpitations Lasting 15 Minutes or Longer

Whether it’s from stress or exercise, it’s not uncommon to occasionally experience your heart fluttering or pounding in your chest. A few seconds or even minutes of heart palpitations can be benign, says Oakley. But if they last longer than 15 minutes, that could mean a more serious problem, like heart arrhythmia or heart disease.

If you experience palpitations along with other symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, or chest pressure, Oakley says to seek medical help.

7. Chest Pain

Your chest can hurt for all sorts of reasons. Heartburn, anxiety, and muscle aches can all spark this symptom.

“Chest pain is absolutely a symptom that you don’t want to ignore,” Purdy says. If you experience chest pain at rest or with activity, let your healthcare provider know. This is particularly important if the pain goes away after a short period of rest, which can indicate a blocked artery around the heart.

8. Worsening Shortness of Breath

The fluid then leaks into spaces it’s not supposed to be, including your lungs, causing shortness of breath. Check with your doctor if you have shortness of breath that suddenly or progressively gets worse.

9. Sudden Changes in Your Vision

As you age, it’s normal for your vision to change over time. But don’t ignore visual changes that affect only one eye, the sudden onset of double vision, sudden pain, or the inability to see the center of what you’re looking at.

Sudden vision changes can also be caused by other medical conditions, says Barrios, including:

• Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia (complication of pregnancy)
• Type 2 diabetes

“Some types of sudden vision change can actually be vision threatening,” says Purdy, “and so every moment counts.” If you experience symptoms like pain, headache, or bleeding anywhere on the eyeball, you should see a physician immediately.

10. Unexpected Bowel Habit Changes

Changes in bowel movements may indicate whether something’s gone wrong in the body. Symptoms like bleeding or blood in the stool, changes in the amount, frequency (either constipation or diarrhea), consistency, or appearance of stools, can signal a health problem.

“While most changes in bowel habits or stool consistency are related to our diet and activity level,” says Oakley, “you should see your physician immediately if you notice unprovoked rectal bleeding, very black ‘tarry’ stools, or a large amount of mucus consistently with each bowel movement.”

11. Extreme Fatigue

Feeling tired after a night of interrupted sleep usually isn't cause for concern, but unexplained or extreme fatigue can be a sign of something more serious.

If you experience severe fatigue symptoms for several weeks, set up an appointment with your healthcare provider. Your physician will likely perform an exam, ask about your health history, and order laboratory tests to make sure nothing urgent is going on.

The Takeaway

• As you age, you’ll likely start to experience new aches and pains, many of which are a normal part of getting older.
• Some symptoms, however, may signal a serious health issue. Unexpected or severe pain, bleeding, or fatigue are all signs you should reach out to your doctor right away.
• Conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and even cancer can show early signs that may be overlooked.
• Keeping track of your symptoms and communicating them to your doctor can help catch issues early.

Additional reporting by Abby McCoy.