Uterine Polyps
What are uterine polyps?
Uterine polyps develop on the uterus’s inner wall. These growths then spread into the uterine cavity. The overgrowth of cells on the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) produces the uterine polyps.
- Uterine polyps vary in size from a couple of millimetres to a few centimetres
- Polyps are usually benign (noncancerous)
- Some polyps can be cancerous and some (precancerous polyps) can eventually become cancerous
- Some women only have one polyp and some will have many
Uterine polyps occur most often in women who are going through the early stages of the menopause (they are peri-menopausal) or in women who have completed (post-menopausal) the menopause. However, some younger women can also develop uterine polyps. At your IPSA clinic, one of our female IPSA medical practitioners will see you for your uterine polyp consultation.
What can I expect at my IPSA uterine polyp consultation?
Your female IPSA doctor will treat you holistically. This means that you will undergo a full-length consultation where your uterine polyp symptoms will be thoroughly discussed with you. In our calm, quiet and confidential clinic, a full examination will be carried out, and you can be assured that your IPSA physician has a solid background in gynaecological medicine and in family planning. Appointments are immediate and your IPSA doctor will schedule your visit to suit you.
Women’s health: Symptoms of uterine polyps
Signs of uterine polyps include:
- Irregular bleeding (e.g. frequent, unpredictable periods of variable length/heaviness)
- Infertility issues
- Bleeding in-between periods
- Unusually heavy bleeding
- Vaginal bleeding after the menopause
When to see your IPSA doctor
If you experience any of the following symptoms, then seek medical care from your IPSA physician:
- Vaginal bleeding after the menopause
- Irregular bleeding
- Bleeding in-between periods
At the IPSA clinic, the different uterine polyp treatment options available will be fully discussed with you, prior to you and your IPSA doctor deciding on the best method of uterine polyp management given your particular set of symptoms.
You may then be offered a referral by your IPSA practitioner (for further investigations), such as a hysteroscopy (a camera test) or a biopsy, depending on the severity of your symptoms and your risk factors.
Referrals can be arranged immediately by your IPSA physician, and they are local, at a time to suit you.
Causes of uterine polyps
Hormonal factors seem to play a role in the development of uterine polyps, but the exact cause of the disorder is unknown.
Treatments and drugs
With uterine polyps, your IPSA doctor may recommend:
- Waiting. Some smaller polyps where there are no symptoms (asymptomatic) may resolve without any treatment. Treatment is not necessary (unless you are at risk of uterine cancer).
- Medication. Some hormonal medications (such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and progestins) can shrink the uterine polyp and lessen your symptoms.
- Curettage. The inside walls of your uterus are scraped by a loop on the end of a long metal instrument by your IPSA doctor. This procedure is used for specimen collection and for polyp removal.
- Surgical removal. A hysteroscope (a medical device to examine the inside of your uterus) is used for a hysteroscopy, where instruments are inserted through the hysteroscope to remove any identified polyps, and the polyps may be sent (for microscopic examination) to a laboratory by your IPSA doctor.
Your IPSA treating physician will discuss the next steps involved in evaluating and treating the polyps if they contain cancerous cells.
