Understanding Uterine Polyps: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Prof. Dr. Dr. Andon Hestiantoro, Sp.OG-KFer |
Haibunda

Sunday, 28 May 2023 16:35 WIB

Uterine polyps are the appearance of lumps in the lining of the uterus or the condition of the lining of the uterus that is overgrown with many blood vessels. The growth of uterine polyps is in the uterine cavity, Mother.

Polyps can be as small as the size of a green bean, or as large as a kidney bean. Uterine polyps have a soft texture or consistency because they are in the uterus. Lumps from polyps can grow more than one or many in this reproductive organ.

Now, because uterine polyps are lumps filled with blood vessels, they can cause bleeding to come out of the uterus, either outside the menstrual cycle or after sexual intercourse.

Types of uterine polyps

The type of uterine polyp will depend on the location of the growth, namely:

1. Endometrial polyps located in the uterus
2. Endocervical polyps which are located at the outlet of the uterus

Symptoms of uterine polyps

Uterine polyps can only be detected through a medical examination. The symptoms are similar to some medical conditions that occur in the uterus.

Here are some typical symptoms of uterine polyps:

• Excessive menstrual volume (menorrhagia)
• Bleeding outside the menstrual cycle
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Difficulty or not being able to get pregnant (infertility)

Causes and risk factors for uterine polyps

Uterine polyps can be caused due to an imbalance in the hormones estrogen and progesterone in women. This cause can be influenced by several risk factors, such as:

1. Obesity or overweight

An imbalance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone is common in women who are overweight or obese. Mothers who are obese need to be wary of uterine polyps, especially if they experience bleeding outside the menstrual cycle.

2. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Hormonal problems or disorders such as PCOS can also increase the risk of developing uterine polyps, Mother. PCOS is generally experienced by women of childbearing age.

PCOS and uterine polyps have the same symptoms, namely the appearance of bleeding outside the menstrual cycle. To make a diagnosis, further tests are needed, such as looking at the source of the bleeding, and whether or not there are organ and structural abnormalities (polyps).

3. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a disorder of the uterus. This is a condition in which endometriosis cells enter the uterine muscle. In this condition, the uterus will appear enlarged. Adenomyosis can also be a risk factor for the growth of uterine polyps.

4. Menopause

Abnormalities to hormonal changes can also occur when women have entered menopause. As a result, bleeding can occur again even though the woman has not had her period for 2-3 years.

This blood that comes out can be a sign that the endometrial lining is growing and can trigger uterine polyps.

5. People with breast cancer undergoing treatment

People with breast cancer will generally get the drug tamoxifen. This drug works to kill cancer cells and prevent cancer cells from growing back.

In the breast, the drug tamoxifen will suppress the activity of the mammary glands. But in the uterus, this drug can actually stimulate the growth of polyp cells. So sometimes patients who are undergoing breast cancer treatment will complain of bleeding outside the menstrual cycle.

Uterine polyps can make it difficult to get pregnant

Apart from menopause, uterine polyps are also common in women of childbearing age. This condition can also interfere with fertility or fertility, Mother.

The tissue that grows on the polyp will not interfere with the egg, but rather the place where the embryo attaches to the uterus. When compared, it is like an airplane (embryo) that has difficulty landing on the landing site (uterine lining) because there are lots of rocks (polyps).

So, because of a foreign object in the uterus, polyps can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. But if polyps are treated quickly, it usually only takes 6 months for the woman to get pregnant.

Can uterine polyps become cancerous?

Uterine polyps don’t harm or cause death, Mother. In addition, the possibility of these polyps turning into cancer is also very small, in fact there is no cancer caused by these polyps.

However, early detection is needed to overcome the discomfort of continuing to experience bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle. Apart from that, detection is also important for women who are planning to have a baby.

Diagnosis of uterine polyps

Symptoms of uterine polyps are the same as those with PCOS and adenomyosis, so this condition is difficult to recognize without special examination. There are several examination techniques to establish the diagnosis of uterine polyps, namely:

1. Ultrasonography (USG)

Ultrasonography (USG) is a method of examination using sound waves. This examination can produce images inside the uterus to see the location of polyps. Ultrasound examination may be difficult to detect polyps in the uterus directly, so further examination is needed.

2. USG dengan Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (SIS)

Uterine polyps can also be detected through an ultrasound examination with Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (SIS). The examination is carried out by injecting fluid into the uterus, then using ultrasound to see whether or not polyps are present.

3. Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose the main cause of bleeding in the uterus, one of which can be due to polyps. This examination is done using a tool called a hysteroscope, which can see the condition of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be done immediately on an outpatient basis.

4. Biopsy

Detection of uterine polyps with a biopsy can also be done, Mother. A biopsy is done by taking tissue in the body (possibly polyps) for further examination. Biopsy for the diagnosis of polyps is even better when combined with hysteroscopy.

Treatment of uterine polyps

Polyp removal surgery is the only way to treat this medical condition. Especially if the polyps have grown bigger and cause bleeding outside the menstrual cycle. Polyp removal can be done through hysteroscopy or curette technique.

But even though it has been removed, polyps can still grow back in the uterus. This can occur in women who have not managed their risk factors, such as obesity or hormonal disorders in the body.

If you don’t want to undergo surgery, you can choose another way to suppress the growth of polyps in the uterus. This treatment is in the form of injecting drugs containing hormones or having hormones installed in the uterus (IUD mirena). Sometimes, giving these hormones can overcome polyps.

Prevention of uterine polyps

• Implementing a healthy lifestyle
• Fulfill nutritional intake, especially if you lack vitamin D
• Maintain an ideal weight or lose weight when overweight
• Treatment or management of PCOS or adenomyosis
• Do periodic checks to the doctor, especially if you want to have a baby

When to see a doctor?

The appearance of symptoms of uterine polyps, such as bleeding outside the menstrual cycle and bleeding after sexual intercourse, can be a reason for you to see a doctor immediately. Before going to the doctor, make sure the bleeding occurs for at least three months in a row.

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Check out information about other fertility disorders in the video below:

(rap/rap)