Cervical polyp


How long does it take to recover from cervical polyp removal surgery?
Cervical polyp removal varies depending on the size and location of the polyp. Recovery also varies accordingly. For small external cervical polyps, routine polypectomy is commonly performed, allowing patients to recover shortly after surgery, generally without any discomfort within two to three days. However, for larger cervical polyps, especially endocervical polyps that require removal, the surgery must be completed under hysteroscopic electrocautery. Recovery from this type of surgery generally takes about a week. Regardless of the type, regular follow-up exams are necessary after removing cervical polyps to rule out the possibility of recurrence.


Can cervical polyps fall off by themselves?
Whether cervical polyps will fall off on their own depends on the location and size of the cervical polyp and whether the base of the polyp is deep. If the cervical polyp is small and located at the external opening of the cervix, and the base of the polyp is shallow, there is a possibility that the polyp may fall off during physical activity, but this is rare. Especially when the cervical polyp is large, with a deep base, and located deep in the internal opening of the cervix, in this case, the cervical polyp will not fall off on its own, and surgery is required to remove it.


What to eat after cervical polyp surgery
Cervical polyp surgery is a common minor procedure in gynecological clinics. The surgical process for cervical polyps is relatively simple and has a minor impact on the patient’s body post-operatively. Generally, there are no special dietary requirements after cervical polyp surgery, and patients can resume a normal diet. However, it is important for patients to avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods shortly after the surgery to prevent gastrointestinal issues like bloating and diarrhea, which could affect the recovery from the cervical polyp surgery.


How long will cervical polyps recur?
Cervical polyps can recur at various times, and this varies greatly from person to person, mainly related to the presence of chronic inflammation. If cervical inflammation persists, the likelihood of recurrence is somewhat higher and is also related to the surgical method used at the time. Methods like using a LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) generally result in a longer recurrence time. If it is just a simple removal surgery and the root is not completely removed, some may recur in about three months. Thus, there is significant individual variability.


How to stop bleeding from a cervical polyp
Bleeding caused by cervical polyps in women can be due to infection or post-coital because the polyp tissue is relatively fragile, leading to bleeding. In most cases, the bleeding stops on its own without the need for medical intervention. However, some women may need to go to the hospital for treatment. For instance, local application of Chinese patent medicine with hemostatic properties can be used to stop the bleeding. Alternatively, iodine-soaked gauze can be applied for compression hemostasis. If the clinic has a LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) device available, electrocoagulation with the LEEP device can also be used for hemostasis. In cases where the cervical polyp is inflamed, leading to bleeding, anti-inflammatory treatment should also be administered alongside other hemostatic methods to effectively stop the bleeding.


Do cervical polyps require surgery?
Under normal circumstances, cervical polyp surgery is required. The purpose of the surgery is firstly to completely remove the cervical polyp tissue, and secondly, the removed polyp tissue can be sent for pathological examination to further confirm the diagnosis and determine the potential malignancy of the cervical polyps. If the patient's cervical polyp is relatively small, it is recommended that the patient undergo other methods of surgical removal of the polyp, such as laser or cryotherapy physical treatment methods.


Do cervical polyps require hospitalization?
Generally, women with cervical polyps can undergo a minor removal surgery in an outpatient setting, and hospitalization is not necessary. This is because cervical polyps are usually not very large and have a thin, long stalk connected inside the cervical canal. In the outpatient setting, the polyp on the cervix can be clamped with hemostatic forceps, followed by minor excision, or the cervical forceps can be directly rotated to cause ischemia and hypoxia at the base of the stalk, making it fall off on its own. However, some women may have larger cervical polyps, especially those with deeper and broader bases. If polyp removal surgery is performed in an outpatient setting, it may be difficult to locate the base of the polyp to completely remove it, and there could be considerable bleeding during the surgery. Additionally, cervical polyps in some women may be an indication of cervical cancer or endometrial cancer. In such cases, hospitalization and surgical treatment are typically required.


Is the LEEP surgery for cervical polyps painful?
Cervical polyp removal using the LEEP procedure can be painful, but with advances in medical science, this operation can now be performed painlessly to minimize patient discomfort. Therefore, particularly sensitive patients who are very fearful of pain can opt for a painless LEEP procedure at the hospital. This can be achieved through intravenous anesthesia, which generally yields very good results, causes minimal discomfort, and facilitates a smooth recovery. Therefore, LEEP surgery on the cervix without anesthesia might be painful, but with anesthesia, it is usually very effective and problem-free. After surgery, it is important to manage inflammation appropriately and perform a pathological examination of the removed tissue. If there are no other complications, an annual follow-up is generally sufficient.


Can cervical polyps disappear on their own?
Under normal circumstances, cervical polyps do not disappear on their own. However, it is often observed in outpatient clinics that cervical polyps identified before menstruation disappear after menstruation. This scenario is relatively rare, but it does occur. This does not mean that the cervical polyp has disappeared spontaneously. Rather, under the influence of menstruation, the cervical polyp can retract into the cervix. During gynecological ultrasound or examinations, it is not possible to detect the retracted cervical polyp. In such cases, it is recommended that the patient returns for a follow-up examination in the clinic one to two weeks later to confirm whether the cervical polyp still exists.


Is it serious if a cervical polyp bursts?
The texture of cervical polyps in women tends to be more fragile, and they may have inflammatory cell infiltration on their surfaces, which could also affect coagulation functions. If rupture occurs, the bleeding could last longer. Some women with cervical polyps experience minor ruptures and minimal bleeding, which can be quickly stopped using simple compression hemostasis or by applying traditional Chinese medicines locally. However, if the rupture area of the polyp is large, ordinary methods may not suffice to stop the bleeding. Particularly, some cervical polyps in women may indicate carcinogenic changes, as cancer can grow rapidly, possibly outpacing the blood supply, leading to local rupture and shedding. In such cases, the resulting bleeding can be fatal and difficult to control.