During the menstrual cycle the inside
lining of the uterus grows and shrinks, if a woman does not become
pregnant,
this lining sheds causing a menstrual period.
After a period, the lining grows rapidly under the influence of
hormones like estrogen.
Polyps are areas that grow a little too much; they are usually about
the size of a pencil eraser,
although they can be even smaller.
Symptoms:
Since most polyps are small, they probably do not often cause symptoms.
However, when symptoms do occur, they usually include excessive
bleeding during a menstrual period, or bleeding in
between periods, or
even spotting after intercourse.
Some women report a few days of brown blood after a normal menstrual
period.
If the polyp interferes with the egg and the sperm, it may make it hard
to get pregnant.
It is also possible that they may lead to a slightly higher chance of
miscarriage. It is not known how common this is.
Diagnosis:
A special ultrasound, called a sonohysterogram (water ultrasound)
allows doctors to see inside the uterus after a few
drops of sterile
water is carefully infused into the uterus through the vagina.
The water opens the uterine cavity, allowing to see if any polyps are
in the uterus.
Another diagnostic test is a hysterosalpingogram, which uses dye under
pressure to open the uterus and tubes.
An X-ray is taken to see if any polyps are in the uterus.
Hysteroscope is also used to look around inside the uterus.
This is a
small, lighted tube that goes into the vagina then the uterus.
Treatment:
Hysteroscopy is use to remove large polyps or fibroids and usually
requires anesthesia in the hospital.
Prognosis:
Fortunately, polyps only rarely turn cancerous. The risk does increase,
but only slightly, as a patient passes age 50.
After removal of a polyp, the patient may notice a little spotting for
a few days.
Only a small percent of polyps seem to come back.
