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What are Cervical Polyps?
Cervical polyps are small, finger-like growths that develop on the cervix. They usually appear on the cervical canal, where it opens into the vagina. They vary in size and are generally cherry red to reddish-purple or grayish-white.
Cervical polyps are usually benign (not cancerous) and can occur alone or in groups. They may appear as a symptom of chronic inflammation or a cervix infection.
Most polyps are small, about 1-2 centimeters long. Because rare types of cancer can look like polyps, all polyps should be removed and examined for signs of cancer.
How are polyps diagnosed?
Polyps are easy for our doctor to see during a routine pelvic examination, which will include a pap test/pap smear.
There are two types of cervical polyps: ectocervical and endocervical.
Ectocervical polyps usually occur on the outer surface layer of cells on the cervix. The most common type of cervical polyp, endocervical polyps, arises from the cervical glands. Postmenopausal women are more likely to have ectocervical polyps, and premenopausal women are more likely to be at risk for endocervical polyps.
If Dr. Aliabadi finds any growths or polyps on the cervix, she’ll take a tissue sample for biopsy. A lab will examine the tissue sample to check for any unusual changes or signs of cancer. Results usually show benign polyp cells. In rare cases, abnormal cells or precancerous growth patterns known as neoplastic changes may be present.
What are the symptoms of cervical polyps?
Many times, cervical polyps have no symptoms at all. But in some cases, cervical polyps cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially:
- After vaginal intercourse
- After douching
- Between periods
- Post-menopause
Polyps may also cause vaginal discharge and heavy periods.
What are the risk factors for cervical polyps?
The cause of cervical polyps is not well understood, but they are associated with cervix inflammation. They may also result from a build-up in the cervical blood vessels or an abnormal response to increases in estrogen levels.
Inflammation of the cervix — which can increase your risk of polyps — can be caused by:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HPV
- Yeast infections
- Pregnancy, miscarriage, and abortion
How are cervical polyps treated?
Dr. Aliabadi generally won’t remove cervical polyps unless they cause symptoms or you have a high risk of cervical cancer. Cervical polyps do not necessarily need to be treated unless they are large, causing abnormal bleeding, interfering with menstruation or fertility, or appear to be infected.
A polypectomy (polyp removal) is a simple outpatient procedure that we can perform in our office with minimal pain.
A polyp may be removed during a routine pelvic exam. Using fingers or forceps, our doctor can gently twist the polyp at its base and detach it from the cervical tissue. She’ll then apply a solution to the site to stop any bleeding.
Other removal methods for cervical polyps include:
- Tying a surgical string around the base of the polyp and cutting it away
- Using ring forceps to remove the polyp
Methods to destroy the base of the polyp include the use of:
- Liquid nitrogen
- Electrocautery ablation, which involves using an electrically heated needle
- Laser surgery
Larger polyps are sometimes too large to remove in a doctor’s office. If this is the case, you may need to have surgery to remove the cervical polyp in a hospital or surgery in a hospital or surgery center.
Sometimes, cervical polyps will disconnect from the cervix on their own. This can occur while a woman is menstruating or during sexual intercourse and is perfectly normal.
What to expect after cervical polyp removal?
You may experience brief, mild pain during the removal of the polyps and mild to moderate cramps for a few hours afterward. This is totally normal. You may also have spotting for a couple of days after polyp removal.
Have questions about your health? Talk to Dr. Aliabadi
Dr. Aliabadi and her compassionate team are experts in women’s health care. When you’re treated by Dr. Aliabadi, you’re guaranteed to feel safe, heard, and well cared for.
Dr. Aliabadi has been an OB/GYN for over 20 years and is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. With more than two decades of happy patients to vouch for her, you can be sure that Dr. A is treating you with a long track record of success and patient safety.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Cervical polyps can sometimes rupture, especially if they are irritated, which can lead to bleeding. However, this is not a common occurrence.
Cervical polyps are typically benign and not considered a direct cause of cervical cancer. However, they can sometimes exhibit abnormal cells. So, we often remove and examine them to check for precancerous or cancerous cells.
Cervical polyps can cause pain, especially during or after sexual intercourse.
Yes, cervical polyps can bleed. They often cause spotting or light bleeding, particularly after intercourse or between menstrual periods. This bleeding is typically due to the fragile nature of the polyp tissue.
Cervical polyps are generally not associated with infertility. However, if you have large polyps, multiple polyps, or abnormal bleeding caused by cervical polyps, they might indirectly affect fertility by influencing the environment in the cervical canal. It’s important for individuals experiencing symptoms or concerns to consult our healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation.
Cervical polyps do not always need to be removed, especially if they are small, asymptomatic, and benign. However, removal may be recommended if they cause symptoms like irregular bleeding or are suspected to be precancerous. Doctors often remove them as a precautionary measure to examine them more closely for any signs of malignancy.
Sources
Cooper, N. A. M., Clark, T. J., Middleton, L., Diwakar, L., Smith, P., Denny, E., … & Daniels, J. (2015, March 23). Outpatient versus inpatient uterine polyp treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding: Randomised controlled non-inferiority study. BMJ, 350, h1398
https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h1398.full
Salim, S., Won, H., Nesbitt-Hawes, E., Campbell, N., & Abbott, J. (2011, September–October). Diagnosis and management of endometrial polyps: A critical review of the literature [Abstract]. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 18(5), 569–581
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1553465011002573
