Things you need to be aware about uterine polyps

by Sneha Bhatt IVF Center

All about polyps-

There are two types of polyps that can affect fertility: The first one is uterine polyps (also called endometrial polyps) and the other one is cervical polyps.

ü Uterine polyps are lumps or lesions of the uterine wall (the endometrium). These occur in around 10% of the women.

ü Cervical polyps are smooth, finger-like growths in the cervix or the passage between the vagina and the uterus. They are usually mild, but a very small percentage of them can be cancerous or precancerous.

What are Uterine Polyps?

Uterine polyps are benign fibrous or mucous tumors that develop on the cervix or in the uterine cavity and that undergo changes in the menstrual cycle.
Cancerization is exceptional in this case.

It is estimated that polyps are present in 25% of women who experience abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Uterine polyps and pregnancy?

Uterine polyps sometimes affect fertility, as they can cause the shape of the uterine cavity to change, which could affect the implantation of a fertilized egg. Uterine polyps occur in the endometrium, the tissue that lines the walls of the uterus and nourishes the fertilized egg, and many of them also affect fertility.

Even after implantation of the embryo, polyps can cause miscarriage. They can also increase the risk of miscarriage in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. In such cases, the uterine polyps and pregnancy don’t always go well.

Uterine polyps Causes-

When it comes to cervical polyps, their cause is unknown. Some studies indicate that the cause may be an infection, long-term chronic inflammation of the uterus, or a response to increased estrogen levels.

Whereas when we talk about uterine polyps causes, these have no definitive cause but can be affected by estrogen levels, which fuels their growth.

Uterine polyps symptoms-

Often there are no symptoms. If symptoms exist, they may include abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or a shower, or discharge of yellow or white mucus. Other uterine polyps’ symptoms include-

· Their symptomatology is rich and is based on the bleeding that occurs outside the rules (metrorrhagia) or during the periods (menorrhagia).

· Little or very heavy bleeding that occurs unpredictably during a cycle.

· More abundant periods than usual.

· A feeling of gravity in the lower abdomen.

Other visible signs of Uterine Polyps-

· Bleeding between periods or more heavy periods.

· Significant lower abdominal pain.

· A fever.

· Fatigue due to the repetition of hemorrhages which cause anemia.

· Sometimes the polyp is discovered by chance in gynecological examinations through ultrasound.

Diagnosis of Polyps-

· In front of the variety of these signs, the doctor will initially practice a classic gynecological examination (vaginal examination and colposcopy ) supplemented by a smear and a vaginal sample in case of abnormal losses in search of a germ.

· In case of fever, especially associated with lower abdominal pain, the doctor will ask for a blood test with blood count and speed of sedimentation to eliminate the existence of an infectious polyp.

· Pelvic ultrasound will diagnose a tumor whose origin will be confirmed by hysterography or hysteroscopy.

Uterine Polyps Treatment and how to prevent polyps in the uterus?

Uterine polyps treatment, techniques, and surgeries include-

Ø Uterine polyps can be detected using an ultrasound-based technique called a sonohysterography or hysteroscopy. Another common diagnostic test is hysterosalpingography (HSG), in which the uterus is viewed through X-rays.

Ø Polyps can be removed by simple surgical procedures. For uterine polyps, hysteroscopy is the means which is used to visualize the endometrium.

Ø Hormone therapy with progestins or Gn-RH agonists can stop the production of estrogen so that the polyps slowly decrease in size, but these hormones can also cause temporary infertility.

Ø Untreated, small uterine polyps can regress on their own, although their recurrence may be frequent.

Ø If the polyps are stable (absence of bleeding and pain), simple annual monitoring is sufficient. They are removed in the following cases:

§ Too much bleeding.

§ Implantation is likely to hinder a possible pregnancy.

§ When the polyp becomes infected or twists or necroses (destruction).

How the Technique is carried out?

Ø The operation is done under general anesthesia and under hysteroscopy.

Ø It is very rare that one is obliged to intervene abdominally (laparoscopy).

Ø Total removal of the uterus enlarged to the ovaries is proposed in the event of complications for women approaching menopause or not wanting any more children.

To know more about uterine polyps, their symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention, visit the best IVF centre in India.