Is cervical polyp serious?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 22, 2025
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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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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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What to eat after cervical polyp surgery

Cervical polyp surgery is a common minor procedure in gynecological clinics. The surgical process for cervical polyps is relatively simple and has a minor impact on the patient’s body post-operatively. Generally, there are no special dietary requirements after cervical polyp surgery, and patients can resume a normal diet. However, it is important for patients to avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods shortly after the surgery to prevent gastrointestinal issues like bloating and diarrhea, which could affect the recovery from the cervical polyp surgery.

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How many days will it take to recover from the removal of a cervical polyp?

The removal of cervical polyps is a minor surgery that is short in duration and causes minimal damage. After the surgery, the patient may experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding, but the bleeding is minor and short-lived. Generally, recovery from cervical polyp removal surgery takes about three to five days. However, it is important to note that if the patient has concurrent conditions such as cervicitis or vaginitis, these inflammatory conditions can cause poor healing of the surgical site of the cervical polyp. Therefore, if a patient experiences recurrent vaginal bleeding after the surgery, it is recommended to consult a local hospital for a follow-up.

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What should you pay attention to after the removal of a cervical polyp?

After undergoing cervical polyp removal surgery, women should first pay attention to the cleanliness of the perineum. It is advisable to abstain from sexual activity, tub baths, and swimming for a month to avoid causing infection of the surgical site. Additionally, it is important to observe the condition of vaginal discharge, such as the amount of vaginal bleeding, its duration, and whether there are any abnormal secretions. One month after the cervical polyp removal surgery, it is necessary to visit the hospital for a follow-up to check the healing of the surgical site. Since cervical polyps can recur easily, further check-ups should be conducted within six months to a year to monitor if there are any signs of recurrence of the cervical polyps.

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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.