The uterine polyp, also known as an endometrial polyp, consists of excessive cell growth in the inner wall of the uterus, forming cyst-shaped granules that develop in the uterus.
Uterine polyps are generally more common in postmenopausal women, however, they can also occur in younger women, which can cause difficulty getting pregnant, depending on the size and location of the polyp.
- Hormonal changes are the main cause of uterine polyp development.
- And therefore women with hormonal disturbances such as those who have irregular periods.
- Bleeding outside the menstrual period.
- Or prolonged periods are at increased risk of developing these endometrial polyps.
Furthermore, there is also an increased risk of developing uterine polyps in women with PCOS, who take estrogen for a long period of time or tamoxifen to treat breast cancer.
In most cases, uterine polyps do not need treatment, however, the gynecologist may prescribe hormonal medications or choose to have them removed.The uterine polyp is not cancer, but in some cases it can turn into a malignant lesion, so that it is important to make an assessment every 6 months, to see if the polyp has increased or decreased in size, if new cases have appeared or if it has disappeared.
The main symptom of uterine polyp is abnormal bleeding during menstruation, which is often abundant, and other symptoms may occur such as:
A woman with these symptoms should see the gynecologist for tests, such as a pelvic ultrasound, for example, to diagnose the problem and begin appropriate treatment.
Treatment of the uterine polyp should be guided by a gynecologist and usually only begins when it causes symptoms or if malignancy is suspected, so it is common for treatment to be done with hormonal remedies, such as progesterone, to reduce the size of the polyp.until it disappears.
However, if the woman wants to become pregnant and the polyp interferes with the process, the doctor may still perform a hysteroscopy that involves inserting an instrument from the vagina to the uterus to remove the uterine polyp.See when to have surgery to remove the polyp.uterine polyp.
In the most severe cases, where the polyp does not go away with mediation, cannot be removed by hysteroscopy, or has become malignant, the gynecologist may advise surgery to remove the uterus.