Benign characteristics of endometrial polyps

Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 17, 2025
00:00
00:00

If a woman is diagnosed with endometrial polyps, then the condition is benign. If there are symptoms such as irregular vaginal bleeding, increased menstrual flow, or prolonged menstruation, endometrial polyps should be considered. It is advised to undergo diagnostic curettage or hysteroscopic endometrial polyp electrosurgical resection, and the removed tissue should be sent for pathological examination. Whether it is benign or malignant is mainly determined by the pathological examination as the final diagnostic basis. If confirmed as endometrial polyps, then it is benign. If precancerous lesions are present or if it is confirmed as malignant tumor, the case will be described in detail.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
54sec home-news-image

Do uterine polyps affect pregnancy?

Endometrial polyps refer to the hyperplasia of the endometrial lining due to inflammatory stimuli, resulting in many polypoid tissues. Whether endometrial polyps affect pregnancy mainly depends on the number and size of the polyps, and whether they cause clinical symptoms. First, if the polyps are small and few in number without causing an increase in menstrual flow, they generally do not affect pregnancy and do not require removal of the endometrial polyps, as removing them could instead easily damage the function of the endometrial lining. Second, if the polyps are large, over one centimeter, or there are multiple endometrial polyps, and they cause an increase in menstrual volume, this indicates that the endometrial polyps have impacted the woman's body. In such cases, it is necessary to use a hysteroscope to remove the endometrial polyps before trying to conceive.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Do uterine polyps cause lower abdominal pain?

Endometrial polyps generally manifest clinically with a shorter menstrual cycle, usually occurring every 20 days or so, and a longer period, typically lasting 8 to 10 days or more before it ends. This is a typical clinical presentation of endometrial polyps, and there is usually no pain in the lower abdomen. However, if there is frequent bleeding and the bleeding lasts for a long time, causing endometrial inflammation, pain in the lower abdomen may occur. If the endometrial polyps are not inflamed, there will be no pain in the lower abdomen. If endometrial polyps are detected, the treatment generally involves performing a polypectomy under hysteroscopy within three to seven days after the end of the menstrual period, followed by anti-inflammatory treatment as appropriate. With simple endometrial polyps, there is no pain in the lower abdomen.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
43sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
36sec home-news-image

Can uterine polyps disappear on their own?

Endometrial polyps are generally located in the uterine cavity. Some endometrial polyps may be expelled during menstruation, as each menstrual period involves the shedding of the endometrial lining, causing some small polyps to disappear after menstruation. However, if the endometrial polyps persist and are relatively large, causing irregular bleeding, excessive menstrual flow, or affecting pregnancy, it might be necessary to perform a hysteroscopy for examination and treatment, and to send samples for pathological testing.