Uterine polyps, also called endometrial polyps, are small, soft growths on the inner lining of the uterus. They arise from the endometrium and can range in size from a sesame seed to a golf ball. You may have one polyp or several.
Most uterine polyps are not cancerous. Many women have no symptoms, and some do not need treatment. Doctors have several ways to detect and remove them.
1
Causes of Uterine Polyps
Experts do not know exactly why uterine polyps develop. Changes in hormone levels may play a role. Estrogen levels rise and fall each month, causing the endometrium to thicken and then shed during menstruation. Polyps form when the lining grows excessively.
Certain factors may increase the risk of uterine polyps. Age is one factor: they are more common in women in their 40s or 50s and older, possibly because of changes in estrogen levels around menopause.
Other risk factors include:
Obesity
High blood pressure
The breast cancer medication tamoxifen
2
Symptoms of Uterine Polyps
You may have no symptoms if a polyp is small or if there is only one. Consult a doctor if you notice:
Irregular periods with unpredictable timing, duration, or flow
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Bleeding or spotting between periods
Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Infertility
3
Complications of Uterine Polyps
Most uterine polyps are not cancerous, but some may become cancerous, particularly after menopause. Polyps can also affect fertility by preventing a fertilized egg from attaching inside the uterus or by blocking the fallopian tubes or cervix, potentially causing infertility or increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Some studies have found that removing polyps may help women become pregnant, but it is not effective for everyone.
4
Diagnosis of Uterine Polyps
A doctor can check for polyps by examining the inside of the uterus. If a polyp is found, it may be removed at the same time.
Before the examination, you may need antibiotics, pain medication, or medicine to dilate the cervix.
Diagnostic methods include:
Transvaginal ultrasound: A doctor inserts a slender probe into the vagina and uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the uterus.
Sonohysterography or hysterosalpingography: During a transvaginal ultrasound, a doctor inserts a thin tube through the vagina and injects saline into the uterus, expanding it for a clearer ultrasound image.
Hysteroscopy: A doctor passes a thin, flexible, lighted scope called a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus to examine the endometrial tissue. If a polyp is found, it can be removed with an instrument at the same time.
Endometrial biopsy: A doctor uses a soft plastic instrument to take a tissue sample (biopsy) from the endometrium and sends it to a laboratory to test for cancer cells.
Dilation and curettage: In an operating room, a doctor uses a metal instrument with a small loop at one end, called a curette, to collect a sample of a polyp or endometrial tissue for testing. It can also be used to remove polyps.
5
Treatment of Uterine Polyps
Depending on your circumstances, a doctor may recommend:
Watchful waiting: If you have no symptoms and the polyp is not cancerous, treatment may not be needed and the polyp may resolve on its own. If you are postmenopausal or at risk of uterine cancer, your doctor will recommend removing it.
Medication: Progestins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can help regulate hormone levels, shrink polyps, and relieve symptoms, but symptoms may return after treatment stops.
Surgery: Doctors can often remove a polyp when it is diagnosed, such as during hysteroscopy or dilation and curettage. If the polyp contains cancer cells, a total hysterectomy (removal of the entire uterus) may be needed.
6
Uterine Polyps vs. Uterine Fibroids
Polyps and fibroids are similar but have some differences. Uterine fibroids are overgrowths of muscle in the uterine wall rather than endometrial tissue. Like polyps, fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, but they may also cause pain, constipation, and difficulty urinating.
The same examinations can detect fibroids and polyps. A doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your circumstances.
Preventing Uterine Polyps
There is no proven way to prevent uterine polyps. Losing excess weight may help reduce the risk.
Polyps can recur, so regular checkups are important if you have previously received treatment.
Knowledge | What Are Uterine Polyps?
Knowledge | What Are Uterine Polyps?
Uterine polyps, also called endometrial polyps, are small, soft growths on the inner lining of the uterus. They arise from the endometrium and can range in size from a sesame seed to a golf ball. You may have one polyp or several.
Most uterine polyps are not cancerous. Many women have no symptoms, and some do not need treatment. Doctors have several ways to detect and remove them.
1
Causes of Uterine Polyps
Experts do not know exactly why uterine polyps develop. Changes in hormone levels may play a role. Estrogen levels rise and fall each month, causing the endometrium to thicken and then shed during menstruation. Polyps form when the lining grows excessively.
Certain factors may increase the risk of uterine polyps. Age is one factor: they are more common in women in their 40s or 50s and older, possibly because of changes in estrogen levels around menopause.
Other risk factors include:
Obesity
High blood pressure
The breast cancer medication tamoxifen
2
Symptoms of Uterine Polyps
You may have no symptoms if a polyp is small or if there is only one. Consult a doctor if you notice:
Irregular periods with unpredictable timing, duration, or flow
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Bleeding or spotting between periods
Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Infertility
3
Complications of Uterine Polyps
Most uterine polyps are not cancerous, but some may become cancerous, particularly after menopause. Polyps can also affect fertility by preventing a fertilized egg from attaching inside the uterus or by blocking the fallopian tubes or cervix, potentially causing infertility or increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Some studies have found that removing polyps may help women become pregnant, but it is not effective for everyone.
4
Diagnosis of Uterine Polyps
A doctor can check for polyps by examining the inside of the uterus. If a polyp is found, it may be removed at the same time.
Before the examination, you may need antibiotics, pain medication, or medicine to dilate the cervix.
Diagnostic methods include:
Transvaginal ultrasound: A doctor inserts a slender probe into the vagina and uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the uterus.
Sonohysterography or hysterosalpingography: During a transvaginal ultrasound, a doctor inserts a thin tube through the vagina and injects saline into the uterus, expanding it for a clearer ultrasound image.
Hysteroscopy: A doctor passes a thin, flexible, lighted scope called a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus to examine the endometrial tissue. If a polyp is found, it can be removed with an instrument at the same time.
Endometrial biopsy: A doctor uses a soft plastic instrument to take a tissue sample (biopsy) from the endometrium and sends it to a laboratory to test for cancer cells.
Dilation and curettage: In an operating room, a doctor uses a metal instrument with a small loop at one end, called a curette, to collect a sample of a polyp or endometrial tissue for testing. It can also be used to remove polyps.
5
Treatment of Uterine Polyps
Depending on your circumstances, a doctor may recommend:
Watchful waiting: If you have no symptoms and the polyp is not cancerous, treatment may not be needed and the polyp may resolve on its own. If you are postmenopausal or at risk of uterine cancer, your doctor will recommend removing it.
Medication: Progestins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can help regulate hormone levels, shrink polyps, and relieve symptoms, but symptoms may return after treatment stops.
Surgery: Doctors can often remove a polyp when it is diagnosed, such as during hysteroscopy or dilation and curettage. If the polyp contains cancer cells, a total hysterectomy (removal of the entire uterus) may be needed.
6
Uterine Polyps vs. Uterine Fibroids
Polyps and fibroids are similar but have some differences. Uterine fibroids are overgrowths of muscle in the uterine wall rather than endometrial tissue. Like polyps, fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, but they may also cause pain, constipation, and difficulty urinating.
The same examinations can detect fibroids and polyps. A doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your circumstances.
Preventing Uterine Polyps
There is no proven way to prevent uterine polyps. Losing excess weight may help reduce the risk.
Polyps can recur, so regular checkups are important if you have previously received treatment.
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