Uterine polyps
Endometrial polyps are morphomas that erupt from the inside of the uterus (endometrium). Usually they are benign, but there are also cases that may be malignant, depending on their morphology and the age of the patient. Their size can vary from a few millimetres to a few centimetres, and sometimes they may even protrude from the cervix and be visible in the vagina.
What are the symptoms?
Often polyps do not cause problems and are found accidentally during a gynaecological check-up. When symptoms do appear, the most common ones are:
- Atrial hemorrhage between periods
- Large amount of blood in the period (Menorrhagia)
- Vaginal haemorrhoids in menopause
- Infertility
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of endometrial polyps is made by transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus – ovaries immediately after the end of menstruation (6th -10th day of the cycle).
What is the treatment?
As long as the polyps are very small in size and do not cause problems, one option is to have them regularly monitored by the gynaecologist with ultrasound. Otherwise they are removed by hysteroscopy. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. A very thin instrument called a hysteroscope is inserted through the cervix and has a camera at the end. It is inserted into the endometrial cavity and the polyps are removed under direct vision. The operation is painless and the patient is discharged after a few hours. She returns to work the following day, and if she wants pregnancy she can try from the next cycle.
