Is it okay not to have surgery for cervical polyps?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 02, 2025
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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 Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can cervical polyps recur?

Cervical polyps are highly prone to recurrence. Often after removal, polyps can repeatedly grow back. Possible causes may be related to persistent inflammatory stimulation, hormonal imbalances such as excessively high levels of estrogen, and infections from pathogens. Mainly, infections from pathogens might occur through invasive procedures or external factors such as childbirth in women. Therefore, if the inflammation persists, individual differences in physical constitution with continuously high levels of estrogen, and the invasion of external pathogens can all contribute to the recurrent occurrence of cervical polyps.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can cervical polyps be detected during a gynecological examination?

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 Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does cervical polyp require surgery?

Cervical polyps require surgery. Patients with cervical polyps may experience contact bleeding during intercourse and irregular bleeding. Therefore, if there are cervical polyps, surgery is needed for treatment. Generally, polyps can be removed during an outpatient procedure called cervical polypectomy. After the surgery, the removed tissue is sent for pathology analysis. Most of these polyps are benign, but there is a high likelihood of recurrence after surgery. Therefore, if you have cervical polyps, it is recommended to have surgery to remove them as soon as possible. It is difficult to achieve treatment goals with medication or other methods; surgery is needed to remove them. Thus, it is advisable to undergo surgery for cervical polyps as early as possible, as the surgery is inevitable.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to perform surgery on cervical polyps

According to the different shapes of cervical polyps in women and the varying depths of their stalks, the surgical methods also vary. For instance, if a woman discovers a small cervical polyp with a thin stalk that isn’t located too deeply, it can be treated in an outpatient setting. Usually, the stalk is clamped with a hemostatic forceps, then continuously twisted until it naturally breaks off, and the bleeding is generally not substantial, often not requiring hospitalization. However, for some women with larger cervical polyps and broader stalks located deeper within, especially when the stalk is deep within the cervical canal, performing a cervical polyp removal surgery in an outpatient setting may result in incomplete removal of the stalk, and the bleeding can be more significant. In such cases, hospitalization is usually required to perform an electrosurgical excision of the cervical polyp under hysteroscopy, during which the stalk can be completely removed and the bleeding can be thoroughly controlled.