What is a Cervical Polyp?

Cervical polyps are small, irregular growths on the surface of the cervix or the cervical canal. The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. A polyp on your cervix is rarely cancerous; however, some polyps can change into precancers. Your healthcare provider will recommend removing a cervical polyp if it's causing symptoms.

What are the types of cervical polyps?

There are two types of Cervical Polyps:

• Ectocervical polyps: Polyps that appear on the outermost layer of your cervix.
• Endocervical polyps: Polyps that arise within your cervical canal. These are more common.

What are the symptoms of a cervical polyp?

Most people never have symptoms of a cervical polyp. If you do, they could include:

• Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia).
• Bleeding after sex.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, like between periods or after menopause.
• A vaginal discharge that smells bad or looks like pus, and is white or yellow.

What does a cervical polyp look like?

Most polyps are teardrop-shaped growths that stick out from your cervix. They feel smooth or a little soft and are bright red, pink, purple, or grayish white. Some polyps have a long, thin stem attached to them. They are usually less than half an inch long but can get bigger. They might bleed if you touch them.

What causes cervical polyps?

Cervical polyps are due to:

Chronic inflammation of your cervix.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yeast infections or bacterial infections.

How are they diagnosed?

A cervical polyp is usually diagnosed during a pelvic exam or Pap test. Your healthcare provider will be able to see a polyp once they insert a speculum into your vagina. A speculum is a device that opens the walls of your vagina to better see your cervix.

The procedure for diagnosing cervical polyps are

A healthcare provider usually finds a polyp during a speculum exam. You might not need more tests to find out if it is a cervical polyp. The provider removes the polyp, and some of it may be sent to a lab for testing.

Sometimes, your healthcare provider will order an ultrasound to check the area around the cervical polyp. A small sample of tissue may be taken to see if the polyp is cancerous. It is rare for a cervical polyp to be cancerous.

How are cervical polyps treated?

Removing a polyp is called a polypectomy. This is usually done in your provider's office during a pelvic exam. If the polyp is large, your healthcare provider may do the procedure in a surgery center or operating room with medicine to make you sleep.

Your provider removes small cervical polyps by pulling or twisting them off with a tool. You are not put to sleep, and it is a quick and mostly painless procedure. If the polyp is large or does not have a stalk to grab, your healthcare provider may use a procedure called LEEP. This uses a heated wire loop with electricity to remove the polyp from your cervix. Your provider will numb your cervix before doing LEEP.

Do polyps in the cervix need to be removed?

Most of the time, the best way to treat a polyp is to remove it. Your health provider will take out any polyps that cause bleeding or other symptoms, usually right after finding them during a pelvic exam. If the polyp is large, it may be better to remove it in a surgery center because there could be more risks.

They will send the polyp to a lab for testing to make sure there is no cancer present.

What are the complications of getting a polyp removed?

Complications are rare. Having a cervical polyp removed could cause:

• Infection.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Uterine perforation.

How long does it take to heal after getting a cervical polyp removed?

You may have some mild cramping after a polyp is removed. Most women will have light bleeding afterward and can take over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for comfort. You should avoid sex and tampons for at least two weeks or until the bleeding stops. Talk to your healthcare provider about what to expect after this procedure.

What are the side effects of getting a cervical polyp removed?

Light bleeding and cramping are common. These should get better in a day or two. Removing a polyp is a very safe and simple procedure that rarely causes problems. You can usually return to your normal activities a day or two after the polyp is removed.

How Do I Lower My Risk for a Cervical Polyp?

It is not easy to prevent cervical polyps, but you can lower your risk by taking some steps, like practicing safe sex by wearing a condom. Most other causes of cervical polyps cannot be controlled. The best way to find and treat polyps before they cause problems is to have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests.

Should I be worried about a polyp on my cervix?

Most cervical polyps are benign and easy to remove. Your doctor will advise on removal of the polyp if felt necessary. Long-term complications are not associated with having a cervical polyp.

Do cervical polyps come back?

It’s rare for cervical polyps to grow back, but it can happen. You may be more likely to develop cervical polyps if you’ve had them in the past.

What happens if I am pregnant?

Cervical polyps are rare in pregnancy. They are usually small and asymptomatic. Some obstetricians will advocate for the removal of a cervical polyp in pregnancy, but others will discourage it because it may interfere with your cervix. If you develop a polyp in pregnancy, your provider may or may not remove the polyp. It depends on your condition, the size of the polyp, and its location.

Living With

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

• Irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Heavy periods or bleeding in between periods.
• Bleeding after menopause.
• Foul-smelling or irregular vaginal discharge.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Cervical Polyp treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Cervical Polyp treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced gynecologists, known as some of the best doctors for women’s cervical health care. We provide accurate diagnosis through clinical examination and imaging, personalized medical management, and simple surgical removal when required. Our team has decades of experience in successfully treating Cervical Polyp in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Cervical Polyp treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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