Endometrial Polyps
Learn more about endometrial polyps and how they are treated.
Overview
Endometrial polyps are abnormal growths of endometrial tissue attached to the lining of the uterus.
Endometrial polyps (also called uterine polyps) are small growths of endometrial tissue that attach to the lining of your uterus. You can think of them as skin tags on the uterus.
These polyps are fairly common and, in many cases, do not cause any symptoms. Most polyps are non-cancerous (benign).
However, endometrial polyps are often associated with infertility. Removing polyps may increase the chance of conceiving.
In up to 12 per cent of cases, endometrial polyps may contain cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. The likelihood of a polyp being cancerous increases with age, the severity of symptoms, the size of the polyp and whether you have taken tamoxifen (a medicine used to treat breast cancer).
Symptoms
Endometrial polyps do not cause noticeable symptoms and are not associated with pelvic pain, bloating, or bowel or bladder issues.
The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can include heavy or prolonged periods, bleeding between periods or bleeding after menopause.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms of endometrial polyps, a gynaecologist will use a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound to make the diagnosis.
In some cases, a more advanced ultrasound called a sonohysterogram may also be needed.
Depending on your risk factors, the gynaecologist may recommend an endometrial biopsy. This is a simple procedure that can be done in our clinic. A thin tube is inserted into the opening of the uterus through the vagina. The tube is used to collect small tissue samples, which a pathologist examines for cancerous or pre-cancerous cells.
Treatment
Depending on your needs, treatment for endometrial polyps falls into two categories.
Expectant management of polyps
When symptoms are mild and the risk of cancer is low, endometrial polyps can be left untreated.
Some small polyps may go away on their own over time.
Surgical management of polyps
If symptoms are bothering you or the risk of cancer is higher, surgery may be recommended.
A hysteroscopic polypectomy is a common, minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove endometrial polyps. It can often be performed in a medical office without sedation.
The surgery does not require any incisions. It uses a hysteroscope, an instrument inserted into the uterus through the vagina.
The hysteroscope has a camera that allows your gynaecologist to see your polyps and remove them at the same time.
Most patients can go home on the same day as their surgery.