Can cervical polyps be seen with the naked eye?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on June 29, 2025
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Cervical polyps are a common condition in gynecological clinics, and most cervical polyps can be seen with the naked eye. These tissues are visible red polyp-like tissues. However, it is important to note that if the polyps are located deep within the cervix, they may not be detectable by the naked eye. There is also a special situation where patients undergo a gynecological examination to check for cervical polyps during non-menstrual periods. However, as menstruation occurs, the cervical polyps may not be visible during several gynecological examinations. This might be due to the influence of menstruation, causing the cervical polyps to retract into the cervix, thus, remaining out of sight.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if cervical polyps keep recurring?

Women with cervical polyps, although benign, have a characteristic of recurring. When this happens, it is important to first identify if there are any factors promoting their recurrence, such as recurrent vaginal inflammation in women. This inflammation can affect the cervix and cause recurrent cervical polyps. At this point, it is advisable to first conduct a vaginal discharge test to determine the type of vaginal inflammation and treat it with medication appropriate for the specific type of vaginal inflammation. Once the vaginal inflammation is treated, the recurrence of cervical polyps can be reduced. Additionally, for unexplained recurrent cervical polyps, it is necessary to regularly follow up and check, trying to ensure early detection and removal of cervical polyps to prevent an increase in size or number of polyps.

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Why is cervical polyp prone to recurrence?

Cervical polyps are a type of benign lesion of the cervix. However, recurrent episodes are common after cervical polyp removal surgery. This may be due to inflammation that causes the polyps; if the inflammation, such as vaginitis or cervicitis, is not fully cleared after surgery, it can stimulate the regrowth of cervical polyps. Additionally, in some women, the base of the cervical polyp may be deep, and if it is not completely removed during surgery, recurrence may occur. Furthermore, in some cases, the polyp itself may undergo malignant transformation, leading to potential recurrence after the surgery.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does cervical polyp removal hurt?

Cervical polyp removal surgery will not cause significant pain; however, some discomfort may arise, typically due to the use of a vaginal speculum, which feels similar to the discomfort experienced during regular examinations. The cervix itself does not have pain receptors, so there is no pain felt during cervical examinations and treatments. If there are cervical polyps, the surgery can be scheduled for three to seven days after menstruation has ended, as this timing allows for a longer interval before the next bleeding occurs, which is relatively safer and minimizes the risk of infection.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can cervical polyps be treated in the outpatient department?

Cervical polyps are a common gynecological condition. Because the surgical procedure is simple and the relative risk is quite low, most patients undergo this surgery on an outpatient basis. However, if the patient's physical condition is special, complicated by severe internal medical issues, or if the cervical polyp’s base is deep and the local blood supply is rich, increasing the surgical risk, it might be safer to perform the surgery in a hospital setting. The specific approach should be tailored to the patient's individual condition. Trust in your doctor and cooperate with their treatment plan to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, cervical polyps are a manifestation of an inflammatory disease and are benign, so patients need not be overly anxious.

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Do cervical polyps require hospitalization?

Generally, women with cervical polyps can undergo a minor removal surgery in an outpatient setting, and hospitalization is not necessary. This is because cervical polyps are usually not very large and have a thin, long stalk connected inside the cervical canal. In the outpatient setting, the polyp on the cervix can be clamped with hemostatic forceps, followed by minor excision, or the cervical forceps can be directly rotated to cause ischemia and hypoxia at the base of the stalk, making it fall off on its own. However, some women may have larger cervical polyps, especially those with deeper and broader bases. If polyp removal surgery is performed in an outpatient setting, it may be difficult to locate the base of the polyp to completely remove it, and there could be considerable bleeding during the surgery. Additionally, cervical polyps in some women may be an indication of cervical cancer or endometrial cancer. In such cases, hospitalization and surgical treatment are typically required.