Know anything and everything about Uterine Polyps here!

Uterine polyps are generally soft & pedunculated growths which adhere to the inner wall of the uterus and protrude directly into the uterine cavity.

· Endometrium : mucous tunic that internally covers the uterine cavity

· Cervix: lower portion of the uterus adjacent to the upper part of the vagina (bottom) and the uterine isthmus (top)

What are Uterine Polyps made up of?

Uterine polyps are made up of a tissue rich in mucous glands. Increasing in volume, the tissue - already extremely fragile and delicate in itself - can cause bleeding , sometimes even very copious. They can grow individually, in pairs or form larger groups (complex aggregates consisting of many small polyps).

Uterine polyps can be classified according to their method of anchoring to the wall of the uterus:

• Pedunculated uterine polyps: They are fixed to the uterine mucosa by means of a peduncle. Most often, these growths remain confined within the uterus; although rarely, they can protrude into the vagina

• Sessile uterine polyps: they are anchored to the uterine mucosa with their entire base and, being not pedunculated, they cannot protrude into the vagina.

Uterine polyps symptoms can appear in women of all races and ages, therefore develop both during the woman's fertile period and after menopause (rare). However, the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 40 and 50, while the phenomenon rarely affects teenagers.

Uterine Polyps Causes-

Uterine Polyps Causes include-

It seems that hormonal factors play an essential role in etiopathogenesis: in fact, uterine polyps are estrogen- sensitive, that is, they respond to estrogen similarly to the endometrium.

Risk factors for uterine polyps include:

• Age between 40 and 50 years

• Genetic predisposition

Uterine polyps’ symptoms-

Uterine polyps’ symptoms include-

The clinical symptoms of uterine polyps are not very evident: many women do not perceive the presence of a polyp until they undergo a standard gynaecological examination .

However, uterine polyps are prone to bleeding , therefore abnormal uterine losses - outside the menstrual cycle - can be lit spy on uterine polyp.

When symptomatic, uterine polyps can cause different discomforts:

• Irregular menstrual cycle

• Dysmenorrhea ( painful menstruation ) accompanied by severe abdominal cramps

• Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)

• Hypermenorrhea ( copious menstruation ) or menorrhagia (extremely abundant blood loss during menstruation)

• Menstruation-like uterine losses during the postmenopausal period

• Spotting

How to prevent polyps in uterus: Uterine Polyps Diagnosis-

Uterine Polyps Diagnosis include-

To date, transvaginal ultrasound examination allows to locate uterine polyps in asymptomatic patients.

Uterine polyps can also be diagnosed by scraping (or curettage): the tissue sample taken will be subsequently examined in the laboratory to rule out a possible malignant lesion. Even hysteroscopy is sometimes performed to confirm a suspicion of uterine polyp: this technique uses a particular instrument (hysteroscope) to view the inside of the uterine cavity. Last but not the least, hysterosalpingography, a radiological test useful for assessing the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Uterine Polyps Treatment-

Uterine Polyps Treatment include-

Small benign uterine polyps tend to self-resolve within a short period, although it is recommended to always keep them under control to avoid a possible (even if unlikely) neoplastic evolution. . However, the intake of progestogens or gonadotropins is not the best choice for eliminating uterine growths, since the risk of recurrence is very high.

Although it is an almost harmless and benign condition, large uterine polyps must be treated surgically, since they can create significant menstrual discomforts.

• Hysteroscopy (therapeutic): it consists in the complete surgical removal of the uterine polyp.

• Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus): indicated when the uterine polyps contain malignant neoplastic cells.

Even following a perfectly successful surgical treatment, uterine polyps tend to recur. On the occasion of recidivissm, the woman will have to undergo an additional intervention.

To know more about how to prevent polyps in uterus, visit the best fertility clinic in India.