Michael Frey, MD

Uterine polyps are soft fleshy outgrowths from the lining of the womb (the endometrium).
 
Uterine polyps are common and there can be more than one polyp in the uterine cavity.
 
Polyps are prone to bleeding and large polyps can contribute to infertility and miscarriage. Uterine polyps can develop in pre or post-menopausal women. Very rarely, polyps can be cancerous.
 
Symptoms:
Many women who have uterine polyps show no symptoms at all. In others, one or more of the following symptoms may be present:

• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Excessively heavy menstrual periods
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
 
Diagnosis:
-Hysteroscopy is a procedure where a thin telescope is inserted into the uterine cavity allowing the surgeon to look inside the uterus.
-Saline sonography (ultrasound scan is done after filling the uterine cavity with normal saline) may detect uterine polyps.
-An ultrasound scan can also detect a uterine polyp but an ultrasound scan is not always correct especially in younger women who are still having menstrual periods.
-The final diagnosis of uterine polyp is made when a polyp is removed and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory confirms the presence of polyp and what type of polyp it is. It is important that a tissue sample from the polyp is sent for biopsy to rule out cancer.
 
Treatment:
Once identified, polyps can be removed surgically through a hysteroscope. Removal of polyp is advisable in all women with symptoms and in postmenopausal women. Uterine polyps, once removed, can recur. It’s possible that you might need to undergo treatment more than once if you experience recurring uterine polyps. If the polyps are found to contain precancerous or cancerous cells, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may become necessary.