Can cervical polyps be detected during a gynecological examination?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Cervical polyps are generally detected through a gynecological internal examination or colposcopy, and this diagnosis is not difficult. Once cervical polyps are detected, they are usually removed 3 to 7 days after the menstrual cycle has ended. The removed polyps are then examined pathologically, and postoperative anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment is sufficient. The vast majority of cervical polyps are benign, with a very low likelihood of becoming malignant, so patients with cervical polyps need not worry. If one wishes to know whether they have cervical polyps, they can undergo a gynecological internal examination and a colposcopic examination at the hospital; both tests can detect cervical polyps.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is it okay not to have surgery for cervical polyps?

When women have cervical polyps, surgical treatment is required regardless of the size of the polyps, and not undergoing surgery is not an option. Firstly, the texture of cervical polyps is relatively fragile, which can easily lead to bleeding upon contact, such as bleeding after intercourse. Some women with vaginal inflammation can infect the cervical polyps, leading to inflammatory secretions, such as purulent secretions or secretions containing blood. If cervical polyps are not surgically removed, they may continue to grow, and they have a characteristic of being multiple. For instance, the occurrence of multiple cervical polyps can also affect the normal menstrual cycle of women. Some women with cervical cancer or endometrial cancer can also present polyp-like growths, and from the appearance, it is not possible to distinguish whether the growths are malignant or benign. Therefore, generally, once cervical polyps are found, they should be surgically removed, and a histological examination should be performed after surgery to rule out the possibility of malignant changes.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long will it take for bleeding from a cervical polyp to stop?

Cervical polyps generally cause bloody discharge or light bleeding after intercourse. Such bleeding usually does not last long. Therefore, cervical polyps generally require a hospital visit for outpatient surgery to remove the polyps. After the removal, pathology tests are generally conducted and if there are no issues, it is usually not a big concern. Having cervical polyps generally does not cause prolonged bleeding. If irregular bleeding occurs, further examination such as endocrine testing at the hospital is necessary. Additionally, cervical cancer screening should be conducted. It is essential to identify the cause of the irregular bleeding and then treat accordingly based on the examination results. Isolated cervical polyps will not cause heavy bleeding; they only cause light bleeding after intercourse or bloody discharge, which is minor bleeding.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is cervical polyp serious?

Cervical polyps are not serious, and the majority of them are caused by chronic cervical inflammation. Cervical polyps can generally be removed in an outpatient setting at a hospital, and the removed polyp should be sent for pathology. The vast majority of these polyps are benign, with only a very small minority having the potential to become malignant. Therefore, having cervical polyps is generally not a serious issue. The polyps can be removed and appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment can be administered thereafter. Most cervical polyps are not problematic. If there is any concern, one can also undergo cervical cancer screening, which generally involves a TCT (ThinPrep Cytologic Test) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) virus testing. These tests help identify the presence of cervical cancer and its precursors. If the cervical cancer screening shows no issues, and it's simply a case of cervical canal polyps, it is not serious, and removal can be performed in an outpatient setting in the hospital.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.