Is surgery necessary for cervical polyps?

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 03, 2024
00:00
00:00

Cervical polyps are a clinical manifestation of chronic cervicitis. Polyps can originate from the lips of the cervix or within the cervical canal, and generally vary in size. They are usually connected to the cervix by a small stalk. Cervical polyps rarely become malignant, with a very low chance of malignancy. However, if left untreated, the polyp can gradually increase in size, causing bleeding during intercourse, and even bleeding without contact. Additionally, there is the risk of malignancy, so once detected, it is recommended to remove them and definitely send them for pathological examination to rule out any possibility of malignancy.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
54sec home-news-image

Do cervical polyps affect menstruation?

Cervical polyps do not affect menstruation because cervical polyps are just localized inflammatory changes in the cervix, resulting from chronic inflammation that causes localized hyperplasia and the formation of polyps. They do not affect the endocrine system, nor do they affect the endometrium, so they do not affect menstruation. However, cervical polyps may also cause bleeding problems, such as contact bleeding or irregular bleeding following an infection, but this is different from menstrual bleeding. Therefore, in cases of vaginal bleeding, routine examinations are necessary to check for bleeding on the cervical surface and to see if there are issues like cervical polyps, and to examine for conditions such as uterine inflammation, etc.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
48sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
57sec home-news-image

How is cervical polyp surgery performed?

Cervical polyp removal surgery is a very common minor procedure in gynecology. This surgery involves minimal trauma, short operation time, and quick postoperative recovery. Generally, we conduct this surgery in the minor operation room of the gynecological outpatient clinic, and it does not require hospitalization; patients can go home right after the removal. During the procedure, we can use a biopsy forceps or a small curved forceps to directly clamp the pedicle of the polyp and remove it. Ideally, the procedure should be done under a colposcope. When using a colposcope, applying acetic acid or Lugol's solution helps in observing the appearance of the cervical polyp, facilitating differentiation from other conditions, such as Nabothian cysts which can easily be confused with cervical polyps.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
40sec home-news-image

What are the harms of cervical polyps?

Cervical polyps are a common gynecological condition, with their main risks including: First, cervical polyps can undergo malignant transformation, albeit rarely. Once malignant transformation occurs, it leads to adverse consequences and affects the patient's survival. Second, cervical polyps can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. The tissue of female cervical polyps is fragile, so when exposed to external friction or during sexual activity, the blood vessels on the surface of the cervical polyps can rupture, leading to irregular vaginal bleeding.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

Can you have sexual intercourse with cervical polyps?

In general, if cervical polyps in women are relatively small, they tend to grow slowly and do not present any clinical symptoms. In such cases, sexual intercourse can be considered normal. However, as the size of the cervical polyps increases, because they are soft and fragile, they can easily bleed when touched. For example, during intercourse, contact with the surface of the cervical polyp might cause bleeding. In such instances, it is best to seek treatment first, possibly start with anti-inflammatory treatment, remove the cervical polyp, and consider normal intercourse after recovery.