Uterine polyps
What are they?
Uterine polyps are growths that occur inside the uterus (womb) that are attached to the wall of the womb (the endometrium). They develop when the endometrium has an overgrowth of cells which turn into polyps. These polyps can also be called endometrial polyps, however both terms refer to the same thing.
Uterine polyps are usually non-cancerous, however they can cause problems with your monthly period and your ability to get pregnant. In some more rare cases as well these polyps can be either pre-cancerous or cancerous.
A woman can have up to mutiple polyps at once ranging in size from a growth as small as a sesame seed to a growth the size of a golf ball.
Who's more at risk?
Uterine polyps are most likely to grow in women in their 40's and 50's when they are either going through or have already gone through menopause, however they can happen in younger people as well.
While the exact cause of uterine polyps is unknown, there has been a link made between polyps and estrogen levels (a female hormone) in the body.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosing uterine polyps can be done a few ways.
The first that might be done is an ultrasound done through the vagina for the doctors to have a look at the uterus.
If a clearer picture is needed, the doctor may perform a sonohysterography in which fluid is inserted into the uterus through a tube. The liquid makes the uterus widen and allows the ultrasound to take a much clearer picture.
The third way to diagnose uterine polyps is which a procedure that can also treat the polyps. This is called a hysteroscopy in which a tube with a light on the end is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. A hysteroscopy can be performed with surgery to remove the polyps at that time as well.
If the doctor chooses not to use this method, she might decide to either do an endometrial biopsy in which a plastic tube is inserted through the vagina and into the cervix to collect tissue from the walls of the uterus (endometrium), or a curettage which is more similar to an operation in which a metal instrument is used to scrape off the tissue or polyps.
To treat polyps a doctor will use one of the above methods, a hysteroscopy or curettage. If removal isn't required then medication will be used to treat the symptoms, however if the medication stops, it is likely the symptoms will return.
What are they?
Uterine polyps are growths that occur inside the uterus (womb) that are attached to the wall of the womb (the endometrium). They develop when the endometrium has an overgrowth of cells which turn into polyps. These polyps can also be called endometrial polyps, however both terms refer to the same thing.
Uterine polyps are usually non-cancerous, however they can cause problems with your monthly period and your ability to get pregnant. In some more rare cases as well these polyps can be either pre-cancerous or cancerous.
A woman can have up to mutiple polyps at once ranging in size from a growth as small as a sesame seed to a growth the size of a golf ball.
Who's more at risk?
Uterine polyps are most likely to grow in women in their 40's and 50's when they are either going through or have already gone through menopause, however they can happen in younger people as well.
While the exact cause of uterine polyps is unknown, there has been a link made between polyps and estrogen levels (a female hormone) in the body.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosing uterine polyps can be done a few ways.
The first that might be done is an ultrasound done through the vagina for the doctors to have a look at the uterus.
If a clearer picture is needed, the doctor may perform a sonohysterography in which fluid is inserted into the uterus through a tube. The liquid makes the uterus widen and allows the ultrasound to take a much clearer picture.
The third way to diagnose uterine polyps is which a procedure that can also treat the polyps. This is called a hysteroscopy in which a tube with a light on the end is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. A hysteroscopy can be performed with surgery to remove the polyps at that time as well.
If the doctor chooses not to use this method, she might decide to either do an endometrial biopsy in which a plastic tube is inserted through the vagina and into the cervix to collect tissue from the walls of the uterus (endometrium), or a curettage which is more similar to an operation in which a metal instrument is used to scrape off the tissue or polyps.
To treat polyps a doctor will use one of the above methods, a hysteroscopy or curettage. If removal isn't required then medication will be used to treat the symptoms, however if the medication stops, it is likely the symptoms will return.
Symptom list:
Uterine polyps
Financial support
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Emotional support
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