Do uterine polyps require surgery?

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Endometrial polyps require surgery. Patients with endometrial polyps generally have clinical symptoms, mainly characterized by irregular vaginal bleeding. This can be a small amount of bleeding after menstruation has ended, or extended periods during menstruation. In such cases, a hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage is needed to remove these polyps. Relatively speaking, hysteroscopy is more accurate and has fewer side effects after surgery, but its disadvantage is the higher cost. The goal of both is to remove the endometrial polyps and then send them for pathological examination.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can endometrial polyps be cured?

Women with endometrial polyps can be completely cured. First, endometrial polyps are benign lesions, which may be due to abnormally high levels of estrogen in women, leading to proliferative lesions. It is possible to completely remove the polyps through hysteroscopic endometrial polyp electrocision surgery. However, after surgery, some women may experience recurrence. To prevent this, periodic oral progestogen medication can also be administered to prevent recurrence. Some women may have endometrial inflammation, leading to the recurrence of endometrial polyps. In this case, broad-spectrum antibiotics can be used for anti-inflammatory treatment to prevent recurrence. (The use of drugs should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Endometrial polyp removal time

Endometrial polyps require hysteroscopic polypectomy, which is a type of minimally invasive surgery, performed under intravenous anesthesia or general anesthesia. If the polyp is small and the cervical opening is relaxed, the surgery typically concludes within about an hour. After the surgery, the patient can leave the operating room once they regain consciousness. However, if the polyp is located near the uterine corner and the cervix is relaxed, it can complicate the surgical procedure, extending the duration to about one and a half to two hours. Post-surgery, it is important to monitor the patient's bleeding levels.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.