Endometrial polyp


Can you get pregnant with endometrial polyps?
It is best to get pregnant after surgery for endometrial polyps, as this condition can lead to infertility. Endometrial polyps refer to an excessive growth of the uterine lining, where a polyp-like mass is found inside the uterine cavity. In this case, the presence of a foreign body around the uterine cavity can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting inside the uterus. Therefore, if suffering from endometrial polyps, which can also cause infertility, it is necessary to promptly remove the polyps and then send them for pathological examination. If there are no problems, it is best to consider pregnancy after three months.


What are endometrial polyps?
Endometrial polyps refer to excessive proliferation of the endometrial lining, forming polyp-like tissues. Patients typically experience irregular vaginal bleeding, primarily manifesting as minor vaginal bleeding after menstrual periods have ended. Upon visiting the hospital and undergoing a vaginal ultrasound examination, a polyp-like tissue can be detected within the uterine cavity. Once identified, a hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage is required to remove these tissues. Subsequently, a pathological examination must be conducted to clearly determine the cause and nature of the polyps.


Can endometrial polyps cause bleeding?
Endometrial polyps can cause irregular vaginal bleeding, which can manifest as non-menstrual vaginal bleeding or menstrual vaginal bleeding, leading to prolonged menstrual periods and incomplete menstrual discharge. These conditions are generally caused by endometrial polyps. Generally, if endometrial polyps occur, it is recommended that patients undergo a hysteroscopic examination to assess the number and size of polyps. If necessary, surgical removal under hysteroscopy is required.


How to investigate endometrial polyps?
Endometrial polyps require an ultrasound examination to be detected, as they are located within the uterine cavity and cannot be seen by a gynecological examination alone. Under ultrasound, one can see a polyp-like object in the uterine cavity, which usually measures only a few millimeters, although some may be about ten or more millimeters in size. Certainly, if possible, a hysteroscopy can also identify them. However, generally, an ultrasound is conducted first to observe the endometrial polyps, followed by a hysteroscopy to remove them.


How to prevent endometrial polyps
Endometrial polyps can be prevented through some daily life adjustments. Firstly, it is important to maintain a good mentality and avoid being in a consistently gloomy mood for a long period, as these negative emotions can lead to a decrease in the body's immune function, which may trigger certain diseases. Additionally, it is important not to marry and conceive too early, and also to avoid conceiving too late. The optimal age for childbirth is between 25-28 years old. These measures can effectively prevent endocrine disorders and the occurrence of endometrial polyps. Furthermore, after marriage, if there is no plan for childbirth, women can take some contraceptive measures, such as using condoms or an intrauterine device, to prevent accidental pregnancies. This is important because accidental pregnancies, followed by surgical or medical abortions, can affect the body's hormonal balance and may lead to the development of endometrial polyps.


Can endometrial polyps be misdiagnosed?
Endometrial polyps can be misdiagnosed as they are caused by excessive proliferation of the endometrial lining. Clinically, the thickness of the endometrium varies throughout the menstrual cycle. Typically, just before menstruation, the endometrium is quite thick. As a result, some women might notice that their endometrium appears thick, resembling a polyp. If such a condition is observed, it is advisable to wait until after a menstrual period when the endometrium has shed before undergoing an ultrasound examination. If it is indeed an endometrial polyp, it will not shed with the menstrual flow. If it’s just thickened endometrium, it will resolve after menstruation. Therefore, it is essential to perform an ultrasound after menstruation to confirm if it is an endometrial polyp. If the polyp persists after a clean menstrual cycle, it can be diagnosed definitively.


Can endometrial polyps cause bleeding?
Endometrial polyps can bleed, which is due to the proliferation of the endometrium resulting in a polyp-like tissue formation. This tissue sticks to the endometrium and thus has blood vessels on it. If women experience this, clinical symptoms will present as irregular vaginal bleeding. Such bleeding mostly occurs after menstruation has ended, followed by renewed vaginal bleeding, and the amount of bleeding can increase after physical activity. If this condition occurs, it is necessary to go to the hospital for an ultrasound to first rule out if it is caused by endometrial polyps.


Can endometrial polyps recur?
Endometrial polyps are a common gynecological condition. Generally, when detected, endometrial polyps need to be surgically removed. After treatment, there is still a chance of recurrence of endometrial polyps, although the chance is not particularly high. Some patients may have a higher chance of recurrence, which varies from person to person. If endometrial polyps recur, further surgical treatment may be necessary. Under normal circumstances, oral medication can be administered post-surgery to help possibly prevent the recurrence of endometrial polyps. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)


Symptoms of endometrial polyps
The most common clinical symptom of endometrial polyps is vaginal bleeding, which manifests in the following ways: Some women may experience heavy menstrual flow with a large amount of blood clots. This is because most patients with endometrial polyps have excessive proliferation of the endometrial lining. When this excessively proliferated endometrium sheds during menstruation, it can result in a heavier flow. Additionally, some women may experience vaginal bleeding after their menstruation has ended. Typically, this bleeding is not heavy and is dark red in color. This could indicate the presence of endometrial polyps.


What should I do about endometrial polyps?
Endometrial polyps are a common condition in women, with many experiencing them. The treatment for endometrial polyps discovered during an ultrasound primarily depends on the size of the polyps and whether they cause clinical symptoms. Firstly, if the endometrial polyp is relatively small, less than 5mm, and does not cause significant clinical symptoms, it may not require intervention and can be monitored with regular check-ups. Secondly, if the endometrial polyp is larger than 1cm or causes a significant increase in menstrual flow, hysteroscopic surgery should be performed to excise the polyp.