Endometrial Polyp

 

Endometrial polyps (uterine polyps) are single or multiple lesions that develop in the innermost layer of the uterus as mostly benign lesions. Hormone estrogen is considered responsible for the development of endometrial polyps. In non-medical words, polyps are benign lentil or chickpea-shaped pieces of meat that develop in the uterus. They are likely to turn into cancer, but it is a low probability (5/1000). This probability depends on the patient’s age and weight, and whether she has a chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension. Compared to younger women, older and overweight women are much more likely to have polyps that tend to turn into cancer.

 

Intrauterine polyps are more common than thought. 15 out of every 100 women have endometrial polyps. It is rare among women under 20 years of age. They are observed at a higher rate among women between 40 and 50 years of age in particular.

 

How Do Endometrial Polyps Show Symptoms?

 

Endometrial polyps usually do not show symptoms. When they give symptoms, they most commonly manifest themselves with irregular vaginal bleeding. When women with menstrual irregularity are examined, 30% of them are found to have endometrial polyps. Polyps may also manifest themselves with brown discharge observed before and after menstruation. Polyps do not cause pain, but they can lead to menstrual pain by causing irregularities in bleeding. Brown discharge can be observed in other diseases as well. Therefore, in the presence of such a symptom, the condition of the patient should be evaluated by an experienced gynecologist.

 

Polyps in different sizes an numbers can develop in different locations of the uterus. Since they cause irregular bleeding, they create reaction to foreign bodies such as an intrauterine device; they may block the passage of sperm, prevent the embryo from attaching to the uterus, and may eventually prevent pregnancy. Pregnancy can rarely be possible even in the presence of polyps. But if the presence of polyps is known, it is appropriate to remove the polyps before planning a pregnancy, in order to increase the chance of success.

 

How is an Endometrial polyp Diagnosed?

 

For the diagnosis of an endometrial polyp, an advanced ultrasound device and an experienced gynecologist are needed. In cases where a complete diagnosis is not possible with ultrasound, the diagnosis can be confirmed with a test called SIS, which is performed by injecting saline into the uterus. Uterine polyps can be detected by performing the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) procedure to view the inside of the uterine. Endometrial polyps can also be detected with diagnostic hysteroscopy.

 

What Happens If Endometrial Polyps Are Not Treated?

 

Polyps in different sizes an numbers can develop in different locations of the uterus. Since they cause irregular bleeding, they create reaction to foreign bodies such as an intrauterine device; they may block the passage of sperm, prevent the embryo from attaching to the uterus, and may eventually prevent pregnancy. Despite being rare, pregnancy can be possible even in the presence of polyps. But if the presence of polyps is known, it is appropriate to remove the polyps before planning a pregnancy, in order to increase the chance of success.

 

Endometrial Polyp

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How are Endometrial Polyps Treated?

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Hysteroscopy is the procedure performed in the treatment of endometrial polyps. It’ is performed using a long, narrow camera inserted into the uterus. Polyps are first examined using a device called hysteroscopy that enables us to observe the inside of the uterus, and then the polyps are cut from their stems using either scissors or energy current. The piece removed is examined by the pathology unit staff for risk assessment. Polyps can also be removed from the uterus with the curettage procedure. However, since it is a blind procedure, it is not possible to know how much of a polyp is removed and how much is left behind.

 

Polyp removal surgery (hysteroscopy) is performed as an outpatient procedure. It does not require a long hospital stay. A 6-hour preoperative fasting is adequate for the procedure. The operation is performed under sedation. The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes on average.

 

The patient can leave the hospital within 3 to 4 hours after coming out of the sedative and waking up. He can resume her normal life the next day. A small amount of bleeding may occur for several days after the operation. Since polyp formation is likely to recur, it would be appropriate to perform periodic controls. After hysteroscopy (polyp removal operation), the menstrual irregularity improves, intermittent bleeding ends, the amount of bleeding decreases, and sexual activities can be started after the cessation of the bleeding.

 

It is not possible to treat endometrial polyps with weird methods such as herbal treatment, onion juice cure, cupping, and aroma therapy. These methods just cause a waste of money and time.

Tamoxifen, a drug that should be used for 5 years in the treatment of breast cancer, has a thickening effect on the endometrium. It is important to determine the extent of this thickening and whether there is also a polyp besides it. It is because uterine cancer may develop due to Tamoxifen. The normal endometrial thickness during menopause is 4 mm. If there is an endometrial thickening and if it is accompanied by excessive or irregular bleeding in particular, endometrial biopsy should be performed and the removed piece should be sent to the laboratory for pathological examination.

If you have irregular bleeding, if you have excessive amount of menstrual bleeding, if you observe bleeding in the form of brown spots before or after your menstrual period, if you have intermittent bleeding between periods, if you have difficulty in getting pregnant, you should be examined to see whether you have endometrial polyps (uterine polyps).

With the advanced ultrasound device we have in our office, we can easily detect endometrial polyps. If you really have polyps, we perform the polyp removal treatment with the operative hysteroscopy procedure in hospital settings.

 

For detailed information and appointments, you can call 0 (212) 728 63 61 or can reach us using our WhatsApp line at 0 (505) 260 72 38 and 0 (505) 260 72 39.