What are Uterine Polyps?
Uterine polyps are growth fragments in the inner walls of the uterus – the overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus causes the formation of uterine polyps. These are known as endometrial polyps but are non-cancerous growth fragments.

What are the Causes of Uterine Polyps?
Uterine polyps most commonly occur in women who are going through or have completed menopause, although younger women can get them, too. The common causes of developing uterine polyps include – being perimenopausal or postmenopausal with complaints of being hypertensive. Additional risk factors include obesity and a particular variant of cancer drug therapy known as – tamoxifen.

What are the Symptoms of Uterine Polyps?
The common signs and symptoms of uterine polyps include:

• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Excessive menstrual periods
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Infertility

What are the Complications of Uterine Polyps?
Some of the complications of uterine polyps include complications associated with menstruation and fertility. Infertility is caused due to overgrowth of polyps, while spontaneous abortions and anaemia due to excessive bleeding are also common. A polyp can twist to its stalk in the uterus resulting in pain and infection, while some of them also carry a significant risk of becoming malignant at a later stage in life.

How is the Diagnosis of Uterine Polyps done?
The doctor would take a detailed medical history and menstrual history to understand if the patient may have a uterine polyp. Additionally, the following tests may be required to further confirm the presence of uterine polyps – a transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography, a hysteroscopy and an endometrial biopsy. In some rare cases, a Curettage procedure may be required for the diagnosis of uterine polyps.

How is Uterine Polyps treatment done?
For small polyps without any symptomatic manifestations usually resolve on their own. However, treatment of small polyps is unnecessary unless you’re at risk of uterine cancer. For more serious complaints of uterine a hysteroscopy may be performed. Doctors use specialized equipment to see inside the uterus and subsequently remove the polyps.

Uterine Polyps vs. Fibroids
Polyps and fibroids are similar but also very different from each other. While fibroids are overgrowths of the muscle inside the walls of your uterus, not the tissue lining the inside. However, they also cause heavy bleeding, pain, constipation, and trouble with urination. Polyps, meanwhile, are growth fragments in the inner walls of the uterus – the overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus.

How can you Prevent Uterine Polyps?
There are no specific methods or ways to prevent uterine polyps altogether. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of uterine polyps and this can be by maintaining an appropriate weight, consuming a healthy diet, and sticking to an active healthy lifestyle.

Do Endometrial Polyps Cause Infertility?
Uterine polyps might be associated with infertility. If you have uterine polyps and you’re unable to have children, removing the polyps might allow you to become pregnant. The most common location in the uterus for an endometrial polyp is on the posterior uterine wall. However, polyps that are found towards the opening of the fallopian tubes into the uterus are associated with a higher chance of infertility.