You may be experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, or your monthly period may be very heavy. Sometimes, you may have a cervical polyp without any symptoms. So today, let's talk about what cervical polyps are, why they form, and what treatments are available for them.

What is a cervical polyp? Let's understand it very simply!

Simply put, cervical polyps are small, irregularly shaped growths that form on the surface of your cervix or inside your cervical canal. As you know, the cervix is ​​the part of your body that connects your uterus to your vagina.

Think about it, like we sometimes get little bumps on our skin, right? That's what this polyp is like. But this one is on the cervix. The chance of a cervical polyp becoming cancerous is very low. That means most of the time, they are harmless. However, very rarely, some polyps can become precancerous. That's why if you have any symptoms, a doctor may recommend removing one of these polyps.

Are there types of cervical polyps?

Yes, there are two main types. They are:

• Ectocervical polyps : These form in the outermost layer of cells of the cervix.
• Endocervical polyps: These are those that develop inside the cervical canal. This type is slightly more common.

How common are cervical polyps? Who gets them more often?

Roughly speaking, between 2% and 5% of women develop these cervical polyps. They are most often seen after they are past childbearing age, around 40 years old, and among mothers who have had more than one child.

The important thing is that most of these cervical polyps are not cancerous (benign). Malignant polyps are more common in postmenopausal women. But that still accounts for less than 1% of all cases. So there's nothing to worry about.

What are the symptoms of a cervical polyp? See if you have these too

Many people with this polyp do not show any symptoms. However, some people may experience symptoms. Check to see if you have these symptoms:

• Excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). This means that your period lasts longer than normal, or you bleed a lot.
• Bleeding after sex.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding. For example, bleeding between periods or after menopause .
• A white or yellow vaginal discharge that has a foul odor and is pus- like.

If you have something like this, it's definitely best to see a doctor and get advice.

What does this cervical polyp look like?

These polyps are often elongated, teardrop-shaped. They look like they have come out of the cervix. They feel smooth, or a bit spongy, to the touch. They can be bright red, pinkish-purple, or grayish-white in color . Some polyps have a long, thin stalk (pedicle). They are usually smaller than half an inch, but can sometimes grow larger. They may bleed when touched.

Why do these cervical polyps form? What are the causes?

Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this, there are several factors that are thought to be the main factors:

• Chronic inflammation of the cervix. This means that the cervix is ​​constantly infected and swollen.
• Sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Yeast infections or bacterial infections can also cause cervicitis.
• Increased levels of the hormone estrogen. This hormone greatly affects the functioning of the female reproductive system.

How does a doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)

A cervical polyp is usually found during a pelvic exam or Pap test . The doctor inserts a device called a speculum into your vagina so that the cervix can be seen clearly. That's when you can see if you have a polyp. A speculum is a device that is used to move the walls of the vagina apart to see the cervix clearly.

Are you testing anything else?

In most cases, a speculum exam can detect a polyp. No further tests are needed. However, the doctor will remove the polyp and send it to a lab to check for cancer cells.

Sometimes, the doctor may also do an ultrasound to look at the area around the cervical polyp. A biopsy, which is a small piece of cervical tissue, is the only way to determine whether the polyp is cancerous. However, as I mentioned earlier, the chance of a cervical polyp becoming cancerous is very low.

Do I need to remove this polyp?

Yes, in most cases, removing a polyp is the safest option. If you have symptoms like bleeding, your doctor will remove the polyp during a vaginal exam (i.e., as soon as it's found). However, if the polyp is very large, and there are potential complications, your doctor may send you to an operating room and give you anesthesia to remove it.

The removed polyp will definitely be sent to the lab for testing to confirm whether there are any signs of cancer.

How do you remove a cervical polyp? (Polypectomy)

Removing a polyp is called a polypectomy . This is usually done in the doctor's office, during a vaginal exam. If the polyp is very large, it is done in an operating room under anesthesia.

Small cervical polyps are removed using a forceps-like technique called a traction device. This is not done under anesthesia, and it is a quick and painless procedure.

But if the polyp doesn't have a stalk that you can grab, or if the polyp is very large, your doctor may use a procedure called LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) . This involves burning the polyp off the surface of the cervix with a heated wire loop. Before performing the LEEP procedure, your doctor will numb your cervix (anesthetic).

Are there any complications after removing a polyp?

Complications are very rare, but in rare cases, the following may occur:

• Infection.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Uterine perforation (this is very rare)

How long does it take to heal after removing a polyp?

After a polyp is removed, you may experience mild cramping . Many people may also experience some bleeding afterwards. This can be relieved by taking a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. You should avoid having sex and using tampons for at least two weeks, or until the bleeding has stopped completely. Talk to your doctor about this.

What are the side effects of removing a polyp?

The most common side effects are some bleeding and mild stomach pain. These will subside within a few days. Removing a polyp is a quick and safe procedure. Major complications are rare. You should be able to resume your normal activities within a day or two after the polyp is removed.

Can't the formation of these cervical polyps be reduced?

It's difficult to completely prevent cervical polyps because we can't control some of the causes. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of infection. For example, practicing safe sex (using a condom).

But the best thing is to see a gynecologist regularly for vaginal exams and Pap tests. That way, if you have polyps like this, they can be found and treated before symptoms appear.

Should I be afraid if I'm told I have a cervical polyp?

In fact, most cervical polyps are benign and can be easily removed. The doctor will only recommend removal if they feel it is necessary. Having a cervical polyp does not cause any long-term complications. So don't be unnecessarily worried.

Can this polyp grow back?

It's very rare for these to come back. But it's not impossible. If you've had cervical polyps before, there may be a small chance they'll come back.

What should I do if something like this happens while I'm pregnant?

Cervical polyps are not very common during pregnancy. If they do occur, they are usually small and do not cause symptoms. Some doctors recommend removing cervical polyps during pregnancy, but others do not. This is because it can have unwanted effects on the cervix. So if you develop a polyp while you are pregnant, the decision whether or not your doctor removes it will depend on your condition, the size of the polyp, and its location.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have any of the symptoms below, be sure to see a doctor:

• Irregular or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Heavy menstruation or bleeding between periods.
• Bleeding after menstruation has completely stopped (postmenopause).
• A foul-smelling or unusual vaginal discharge.

Remember, regular vaginal exams are the best way to detect things like cervical polyps early. If you have unusual vaginal bleeding, be sure to tell your doctor. Even if you are diagnosed with a cervical polyp, most of the time it is not a serious problem or something that can lead to cancer, so there is nothing to worry about.

Finally, the most important things for you to remember

Okay, so here are some things you need to remember from what we've talked about:

• Cervical polyps are small fleshy growths that form on the cervix.
• Most of these are not cancerous conditions. That is, they are harmless.
• Some people may experience symptoms (such as heavy periods, irregular bleeding), while others may have no symptoms at all.
• A doctor can easily detect these with a vaginal exam.
• If necessary, these can be easily removed.
• It is very important to have regular gynecological checkups.
• If you have unusual symptoms, be sure to seek medical advice.

So, I hope this information is useful to you. It is very important to take care of your health. If you have any problems, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor.