Removing Uterine Polyps

What are uterine polyps?

Uterine polyps (also called endometrial polyps) are growth from the internal (endometrial) lining of the uterus. Most are benign (non-cancerous).

What symptoms do uterine polyps cause?

Uterine polyps can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding, such irregular bleeding in between periods or heavy menstrual bleeding. They can also cause bleeding in women who have gone through menopause. Some uterine polyps may not cause any symptoms, and are found incidentally on an ultrasound scan or a hysteroscopy done for another reason by your gynaecologist. Its prevalence is also higher in women with subfertility.

How are uterine polyps diagnosed?

Uterine polyps are diagnosed through ultrasound scan, or a hysteroscopy.

What is the chance of uterine polyps being malignant?

While vast majority of polyps are benign, up to 12.9% of polyps have been reported to be associated with malignancy, especially in symptomatic postmenopausal women.

How do you treat uterine polyp?

Conservative management may be considered in asymptomatic pre-menopausal women with small polyps <10mm in size, with natural regression rates reported as high as 27%.

Most polyps however need removal because of the abovementioned small risk of malignancy. Pregnancy rate is also higher following polypectomy in women undergoing fertility treatment.

Uterine polyps are removed surgically through the cervix using a hysteroscope, with no cuts to the abdomen.

Kent is available to see his private patients in Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne. He also consults in Box Hill and Werribee.

Further Information

Please click here for Dr Kuswanto’s article on Epworth GP Update on a ‘new’ safe approach of performing endometrial polypectomy.