Do you sometimes feel like your period is very irregular? Or do you notice a little bleeding even after your period has completely stopped (after menopause)? It is very normal to feel a little scared and worried when you see something like this. But most of the time, the cause of this is a type of small polyp that develops in the uterus. Today, let's talk about uterine polyps, or `(Uterine Polyps)`, without being afraid, and simply.
What are uterine polyps?
Okay, let's understand this simply. Imagine that you have a lining inside your uterus. In medical terms, we call it the endometrium . This lining is shed every month during menstruation. Some areas of the endometrium become overgrown and grow into the uterus like a small tumor, like a small polyp. That's what we call `Uterine Polyps`.
There may be one or more of these. They can range in size from as small as a sesame seed to as large as a golf ball. They are usually attached to the wall of the uterus by a small stalk.
The important thing is that the vast majority of these growths are not cancerous (benign) . So don't be alarmed when you hear this name. However, they can cause problems with menstruation and sometimes have a slight effect on fertility.
Who is at higher risk of developing these?
The likelihood of developing these growths increases with age. They are most common between the ages of 40 and 50 , which is the period approaching menopause (perimenopause). They can also occur after menopause (postmenopause). However, this condition is very rare in people under the age of 20.
In addition, you are also at slightly higher risk if you have the following:
- If you have too much body weight: That means you are overweight or obese.
- If you have high blood pressure (Hypertension).
- If you are taking the drug Tamoxifen: This is a drug commonly given for breast cancer.
- If you are taking hormone therapy that contains high doses of the hormone estrogen.
What are the symptoms of this?
Often, the main and most common symptom of these tumors is abnormal bleeding . However, some people can have them without any symptoms. Sometimes they are discovered accidentally when something like a scan is done for something else.
Let's see what the main symptoms are.
| Symptom | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Menstrual irregularities | The number of days in the menstrual cycle fluctuates, making it impossible to predict exactly when it will come. |
| Heavy bleeding | Bleeding much more than normal during menstruation. |
| Bleeding during menstruation | Spotting, even on days when you are not menstruating. |
| Bleeding after menopause | Bleeding or spotting from the vagina even after your period has completely stopped. This is not normal and you should see a doctor immediately. |
| Difficulty having children (Infertility) | Trying to get pregnant but not succeeding or having a miscarriage. |
| Bleeding after sex | In some cases, this can also be a symptom. |
Do these cause pain?
Usually, uterine fibroids do not cause much pain. However, if they are large, they can sometimes cause a dull ache in the lower abdomen or back, similar to that experienced during menstruation. However, pain is not the main symptom of this condition.
Why are these lumps forming in the uterus?
The exact cause of this is not yet known. However, researchers believe that hormone levels , especially a hormone called estrogen, play a role. Think about it, estrogen is what makes the lining of your uterus (endometrium) thicker every month. So it is believed that it is because of the effect of this hormone that some areas of the uterine wall grow excessively and these lumps form.
How does a doctor find this?
When you see a doctor for the symptoms you mentioned above, he will first ask you about your symptoms. He will ask you a lot of questions about your menstrual cycle, the amount of bleeding, how long you have had this problem, etc. Then he will do a gynecological exam.
Then, to confirm for sure whether this is a meat grinder, you will be asked to perform one or more of the tests below.
| Test | Simply put, this is what happens... |
|---|---|
| Transvaginal Ultrasound | This is like a regular scan. However, a small, thin instrument is inserted through the vagina to clearly view the inside of the uterus. This can detect things like abnormal thickenings in the uterine wall and polyps. |
| Sonohysterography | This is another step in the same scan as the one mentioned above. Here, a small amount of sterile fluid, such as saline, is injected into the uterus through a thin tube to inflate the uterus. This allows the scan to clearly see even the small lumps of flesh inside. |
| Hysteroscopy | This involves inserting a very thin, long tube (hysteroscope) with a camera attached through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. This allows the doctor to see what is inside the uterus with his own eyes. The biggest advantage of this is that if there are any polyps, they can be removed right away using small instruments. |
| Endometrial Biopsy | Here, a small piece of tissue is taken from the inner wall of the uterus and sent to a lab for testing. This can detect whether there are any abnormal cells, such as cancer cells. |
What are the treatments for this?
Whether or not to undergo treatment depends on several factors, such as your symptoms, your age, and your risk of developing lung cancer.
1. Watchful waiting: If you are young, have not gone through menopause, and have no symptoms, your doctor may tell you to wait a while, as some small lumps may go away on their own.
2. Medications: Some medications (e.g. progestins) that balance hormones can help control symptoms. However, symptoms often return once the medication is stopped.
3. Surgical removal: If there are symptoms, if you are postmenopausal, or if there is a slight risk of cancer, the doctor will decide to remove the polyp (polypectomy). This is often done using the hysteroscopy method mentioned above. It is a very accurate and safe method. The polyp removed in this way is definitely sent to the lab to be tested for cancer cells.
Very rarely, that is, only if it is confirmed that there are cancer cells in the removed tissue, you may have to resort to a surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy). But keep in mind that this is very rare.
Should I be worried about this? Could it be cancer?
This is the biggest fear that many people have.
The good news is that about 95% of uterine fibroids are not cancerous . That means that about 5 out of 100 women have a risk of developing cancer. This risk is slightly higher for someone who has abnormal bleeding after menopause.
That's why if a doctor sees a lump, especially in someone with symptoms, they will remove it and examine it. That can confirm 100% whether it contains cancer cells or not. So don't be unnecessarily scared, but don't ignore the symptoms either.
Take-Home Message
- If you are bleeding irregularly, bleeding between periods, or even just a little bit after menopause , don't ignore it and definitely see a doctor.
- Uterine polyps are a common condition. Don't be afraid to call them cancer when you hear the name. The majority of them are not cancerous.
- Treatment depends on your symptoms and condition. You may be able to wait it out, take medication, or have a simple surgery to remove it.
- The surgeries to remove these are now very advanced and safe. So there is no reason to be afraid of it. Talk to your doctor about this openly.
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