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Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
About me
Engaged in obstetrics and gynecology work for more than twenty years, serving as the deputy chief physician of the obstetrics and gynecology department. Familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of common and frequently-occurring diseases in obstetrics and gynecology.
Proficient in diseases
- Uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, cervical cin lesions, HPV infection, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, gynecological inflammation. Report interpretation, pregnancy care, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding, postpartum care and health.
Voices
How is a cervical polyp examined?
Cervical polyps in women can be detected through routine gynecological examinations, especially the smaller cervical polyps, which can be seen inside the cervical canal when the vagina is opened with a speculum. These small, blood-red protrusions resemble tongues and their stalks, generally located inside the cervical canal, are invisible. Therefore, other diagnostic methods, such as the commonly used color ultrasound, can also detect cervical polyps, but usually only when the polyps have reached a certain size in diameter that the ultrasound can differentiate them. Even with transvaginal ultrasound, the cervical polyps need to be large enough to be detected, so ultrasound should not be considered as the first choice for examination. Furthermore, another important diagnostic method is pathological examination. All surgically removed cervical polyps must undergo histopathological examination to rule out the possibility of malignancy.
What color is the bleeding from a cervical polyp?
Women's cervical polyps are relatively soft and fragile. They can bleed easily when touched, such as during sexual intercourse or a gynecological examination. Contact with the polyp can cause bleeding, which usually appears as bright red. Some women may have vaginal discharge with bright red blood streaks. Because cervical polyps lack muscle fibers, they cannot contract to close the bleeding blood vessels. Therefore, they tend to bleed upon contact. When there is an accompanying infection, there may be abnormal vaginal secretions, such as purulent discharge containing fresh red blood streaks.
Difference between cervical cysts and cervical polyps
Cervical cysts and cervical polyps in women are different, primarily because they form for different reasons. Cervical cysts in women mainly occur when the cervix is damaged and, during the repair process, epithelial tissue grows into the glands and blocks them, causing the secretions inside to not be discharged. This is often just a marker of the squamocolumnar junction of the cervix. On the other hand, cervical polyps in women are often a pathological condition caused by chronic inflammation and require treatment. In terms of treatment methods, cervical cysts usually do not require special treatment, but other co-existing cervical conditions may necessitate consideration of treatment. Female cervical polyps, however, should be surgically removed once detected because of the potential for malignancy, such as endometrial or cervical cancer, which can also present as polypoid growths. Therefore, a histopathological examination is necessary after removal.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a type of endocrine disorder, and its exact cause is unclear, but it might be closely related to genetic and environmental factors. Generally, most women start to show symptoms during puberty. Blood tests for six hormone levels commonly indicate elevated androgen levels, or an imbalance in the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone. Persistent anovulation can be observed through ultrasound monitoring or basal body temperature tracking. The ovaries may display multiple cystic changes, which are actually anovulatory follicles. Some women may also experience insulin resistance and obesity. This condition can severely impact a woman’s menstrual cycle and normal fertility, as prolonged estrogen stimulation may also lead to endometrial cancer.
Does cervical cancer hurt?
Women with cervical cancer usually have no specific clinical symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the tumor increases in size, some women may experience contact bleeding, which occurs after sexual intercourse. As the cancer grows and compresses the surrounding tissues, it can cause local feelings of distension and even pain. In some women, the spread of cancer cells can compress nerves in the pelvic area, also causing localized pain. However, this generally occurs in the later stages of the disease. By this advanced stage, the pain caused by the tumor cannot be alleviated by ordinary analgesics, and drugs like morphine are usually required for pain relief. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can uterine prolapse be cured?
Uterine prolapse in women is treatable. Depending on the severity of the prolapse, different treatment methods are applied. For example, women with mild to moderate uterine prolapse can adopt conservative treatment methods such as pelvic floor exercises. The specific method involves contracting the anus for 3 seconds, then relaxing, and repeating this action. Do 30 repetitions per set, and based on personal physical condition, 2-3 sets can be performed daily. This can be complemented with acupoint massage or by taking traditional Chinese medicine orally to help replenish qi and blood. In cases of severe uterine prolapse, surgery is often necessary and can yield very good treatment outcomes. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Do uterine polyps require hospitalization?
Women with endometrial polyps sometimes require hospital treatment, especially in certain cases. For instance, women with smaller and fewer polyps, limited by economic conditions, can undergo diagnostic curettage in outpatient settings. This is followed by a pathological histological examination to rule out the possibility of malignancy. However, this method carries a risk of missed diagnosis. If the women's endometrial polyps are larger and more numerous, or if economic conditions allow, they can be hospitalized for hysteroscopic polypectomy under anesthesia. This procedure offers accurate localization and minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Post surgery, a pathological histological examination can also be performed to determine the type of lesion.
Postoperative Care for Teratoma Surgery
After undergoing teratoma surgery, women shouldn't assume that everything is settled once the surgery is over. There are several precautions to be mindful of. For example, it's advisable to avoid exhaustion, sexual intercourse, sitz baths, and swimming for a month. It's also important to stay away from spicy foods. These measures primarily help prevent infections and promote the healing of the surgical site. Under normal circumstances, unless there are particular issues such as purulent vaginal discharge, or the surgical site becomes split, swollen, or starts discharging pus, a routine follow-up is recommended one month post-surgery. This includes a gynecological exam and a pelvic ultrasound to assess the healing of the incision. Additionally, understanding the recovery of the menstrual cycle is essential. For women planning to conceive, some pre-pregnancy advice should also be provided. Afterwards, it is suggested that women undergo a check-up every six months to a year to monitor for any signs of recurrence.
Can cervical polyps be left untreated?
If polyps are found on the cervix during a gynecological examination, they must be removed because the texture of cervical polyps is somewhat fragile and prone to bleeding. This is especially true during intercourse or gynecological internal examinations, which can cause contact bleeding. When polyps become infected, such as when a woman has vaginal inflammation, the infected polyps can become congested and swollen, leading to the appearance of purulent secretions. These purulent secretions contain many inflammatory cells that can engulf male sperm, affecting the normal conception in women of childbearing age. Most importantly, some malignant alterations in women, such as cervical cancer or endometrial cancer, can also present polyp-like growth. These cannot be distinguished by the naked eye as either benign or malignant. Therefore, when polyps are discovered on the cervix, they must be surgically removed and followed by histopathological examination to understand whether the lesion is benign or malignant.
How to treat ovarian teratoma?
In women, ovarian teratomas are largely mature teratomas, although benign, they consist of a variety of components, including solid and cystic elements, leading to a heterogeneous texture. This can result in complications such as torsion or infection, and very rarely malignant transformation. Therefore, surgical intervention is generally recommended. Depending on the size of the tumor, the surgery can be performed through laparotomy or laparoscopy. During surgery, it is crucial to completely excise the tumor while avoiding rupture of the cyst wall, which can cause spillage of the contents into the abdominal cavity and lead to contamination.