Endometrial polyps are extra tissue in the uterine cavity, made up of glands and other tissue. They can be small, only a few millimeters, or grow as big as several centimeters. You might have one big polyp or many smaller ones.
The main cause of these polyps is a mystery, but we know some things that make them more likely. For example, too much estrogen, long-term use of a medicine called tamoxifen, and certain genes can play a role. It’s also good to know that some polyps could turn into cancer, especially after a woman has gone through menopause.
When you have these polyps, you might see changes in your period, have pain in your stomach, or find it hard to get pregnant. Doctors use ultrasound and testing with a saline solution to check for polyps. They need to take a small piece of tissue from your uterus to know for sure.
If the polyps aren’t causing you much trouble, your doctor might just keep an eye on them. Hormone treatments or removing the polyps surgically are other options. There’s also something new called stem cell therapy. It’s a way to treat the polyps by using specially grown cells to help heal the uterus.
Key Takeaways:
- Endometrial polyps are abnormal growths in the uterine cavity.
- They can cause symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal pain, and infertility.
- Diagnosis involves imaging techniques and tissue sampling.
- Treatment options include observation, hormonal therapy, and surgical removal of the polyps.
- Stem cell therapy shows potential for the future treatment of endometrial polyps.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Endometrial Polyps
Endometrial polyps often show different symptoms. Abnormal uterine bleeding, especially mid-cycle or heavy bleeding, is common. Feeling pain in the abdomen and getting anemic could also point to polyps. It’s key to know, they might not show any signs and are found by chance during check-ups or infertility tests.
Doctors use several ways to find endometrial polyps. Transvaginal ultrasound is most used. It gives a clear picture of the pelvic area. The ultrasound shows whether there are polyps, where they are, and what they look like.
Saline-infusion sonography (SIS) is another method. Saline is put into the uterus to get a better look at the polyps. SIS helps in seeing the size and shape of polyps in detail.
For both finding and treating, hysteroscopy is used. A tiny endoscope is put in through the vagina and cervix to see inside the uterus. It lets doctors take out polyps and check tissue with a microscope.
Early, precise diagnosis of endometrial polyps is key for the right treatment plans.
| Diagnostic Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Transvaginal Ultrasound | An imaging technique using sound waves to see the pelvis and find endometrial polyps. |
| Saline-Infusion Sonography (SIS) | It uses saline to see polyps better, providing detailed data about their size and shape. |
| Hysteroscopy | A method to directly see the inside of the uterus by inserting a small endoscope. Doctors can remove polyps and take samples for lab checks. |
Treatment Options for Endometrial Polyps
What your doctor chooses for your endometrial polyp treatment will depend on a few things. These include if you have symptoms and if you want to have kids later. If you’re not showing symptoms or are at low risk, your doctor might just watch and wait. Sometimes, polyps go away on their own. For some cases, using special birth control or a hormone therapy is also an option.
If treatment is needed, the go-to method is surgery with a hysteroscopy. This surgery is known as the best way to get rid of the polyps. It’s not too invasive and makes sure the job is done right, lowering the chance of problems. In more serious cases or for older women, removing the uterus might be the best choice.
Getting a small piece of the polyp’s tissue for a sample is a good idea before any surgery. Doctors do this with a biopsy. This test checks for cancer or other serious issues. It can help the doctor plan the best treatment for you.
Even though we have the usual ways to treat polyps, there are exciting new ideas, like stem cell therapy. This new field thinks stem cells might help the body fix its own tissues. But, we need a lot more research to know if it really works and is safe for everyone. So, these new treatments aren’t ready for everyone to use just yet.
FAQ
Q: What are the symptoms of endometrial polyps?
A: The key symptom of endometrial polyps is unusual uterine bleeding. This may be seen as bleeding between periods or very heavy periods. People with this condition might also feel pain in their belly and could be anemic.
Q: How are endometrial polyps diagnosed?
A: Doctors use different ways to find out if someone has endometrial polyps. Two common methods are transvaginal ultrasound and saline-infusion sonography. These can see the polyps and tell us about them. Hysteroscopy is another way, using a tiny camera to look inside and even remove the polyps for a closer look.
Q: What are the treatment options for endometrial polyps?
A: Treatment for endometrial polyps varies. It depends on how someone feels, the polyp’s size, and if the patient wants more children. Watching and waiting is okay for those without symptoms. Hormone treatments or removing the polyps with surgery are also options. Sometimes, a hysterectomy is needed. An exciting new approach, stem cell therapy, is being studied.