Endometrial polyps (or uterine polyps) are small fingerlike growths inside your uterus (womb). You may have one or a number of polyps, ranging in dimension from a small seed (a couple of millimeters) to a golf ball (a number of centimeters).
Endometrial polyps are widespread, affecting about 40% of individuals with uteruses. They’re not often cancerous.
Many individuals with endometrial polyps haven’t any signs, however potential signs embrace irregular menstrual bleeding, abdomen ache, or hassle getting pregnant.
The commonest symptom of endometrial polyps is irregular bleeding, which implies bleeding that isn’t typical for you. About 68% of individuals with endometrial polyps will expertise irregular bleeding.
Irregular bleeding brought on by endometrial polyps could appear like:
- Bleeding between intervals
- Recognizing or gentle bleeding between intervals
- Experiencing heavier-than-normal intervals
- Experiencing intervals that final extra days than regular
- Having bleeding or intervals that come at totally different instances than regular
Whereas endometrial polyps may cause irregular bleeding in folks of all ages, it is barely extra widespread for individuals who have reached menopause (stopped having intervals) or perimenopause (the transition to menopause). Endometrial polyps are commonest in folks aged 40-49, seemingly on account of hormonal adjustments.
In case you expertise any bleeding after menopause, you must promptly discuss to your healthcare supplier. Endometrial polyps are not often cancerous, however in case you are older, your healthcare supplier could wish to do a biopsy to examine the polyp for cancerous cells.
Having endometrial polyps can generally make it more durable to get pregnant or keep pregnant. Specialists aren’t totally positive why, however since endometrial polyps are in your uterus, they might make it harder for a fertilized egg to implant itself in your uterine wall.
Endometrial polyps could make it more durable for sperm to enter your uterus. The polyps can also trigger irritation, which may make implantation of a fertilized egg harder.
When you’ve got endometrial polyps and are having hassle getting pregnant, your supplier could advocate a hysteroscopic polypectomy, a minimally invasive process to take away your endometrial polyps.
Although much less widespread, some folks could expertise ache from endometrial polyps. The ache usually presents within the stomach space (abdomen) or pelvic space (decrease abdomen space, the place the uterus, bladder, and genitals are). It could really feel like a uninteresting ache or like interval cramps.
Most polyps will not be power, which means they do not final for lengthy intervals. Nevertheless, they generally return after being eliminated. Continual endometrial polyps have the identical signs as every other endometrial polyp, together with irregular bleeding or hassle getting pregnant.
When you’ve got small endometrial polyps that are not inflicting any signs, they might go away on their very own. Some healthcare suppliers go away endometrial polyps alone if they don’t seem to be inflicting signs or bothering you.
There are some instances the place endometrial polyps should be eliminated. In case you are having hassle getting pregnant or staying pregnant, your healthcare supplier could advocate a hysteroscopic polypectomy.
Hormonal remedies can even assist get rid of endometrial polyps. These could embrace taking oral progesterone or hormonal contraception tablets.
Most endometrial polyps don’t return after remedy. Solely about 2.5-3.7% of instances return.
When you’ve got indicators of irregular bleeding, heavy intervals, bleeding between intervals, ache, or hassle getting pregnant, you must attain out to your healthcare supplier. Listed below are some questions to contemplate asking them:
- How do I do know if these signs are brought on by an endometrial polyp or one thing else?
- If I’ve an endometrial polyp, will I’ve to get it eliminated?
- Will eradicating my endometrial polyp assist me get pregnant?
- Will eradicating my endometrial polyp lower my irregular bleeding?
- What does removing of endometrial polyps contain?
Endometrial polyps are fingerlike growths within your uterus. Endometrial polyps are widespread and infrequently do not trigger signs. They’re not often cancerous.
Endometrial polyps may cause signs like irregular intervals and bleeding, bleeding between intervals, hassle getting pregnant, and ache. Some folks expertise no signs, and the polyps could go away on their very own.
Your supplier could advocate endometrial polyp removing in some instances, particularly in case you are having hassle getting pregnant or experiencing irregular bleeding.