Subscribe
Cervical polyp
How long will cervical polyps recur?
Cervical polyps can recur at various times, and this varies greatly from person to person, mainly related to the presence of chronic inflammation. If cervical inflammation persists, the likelihood of recurrence is somewhat higher and is also related to the surgical method used at the time. Methods like using a LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) generally result in a longer recurrence time. If it is just a simple removal surgery and the root is not completely removed, some may recur in about three months. Thus, there is significant individual variability.
How to stop bleeding from a cervical polyp
Bleeding caused by cervical polyps in women can be due to infection or post-coital because the polyp tissue is relatively fragile, leading to bleeding. In most cases, the bleeding stops on its own without the need for medical intervention. However, some women may need to go to the hospital for treatment. For instance, local application of Chinese patent medicine with hemostatic properties can be used to stop the bleeding. Alternatively, iodine-soaked gauze can be applied for compression hemostasis. If the clinic has a LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) device available, electrocoagulation with the LEEP device can also be used for hemostasis. In cases where the cervical polyp is inflamed, leading to bleeding, anti-inflammatory treatment should also be administered alongside other hemostatic methods to effectively stop the bleeding.
Do cervical polyps require surgery?
Under normal circumstances, cervical polyp surgery is required. The purpose of the surgery is firstly to completely remove the cervical polyp tissue, and secondly, the removed polyp tissue can be sent for pathological examination to further confirm the diagnosis and determine the potential malignancy of the cervical polyps. If the patient's cervical polyp is relatively small, it is recommended that the patient undergo other methods of surgical removal of the polyp, such as laser or cryotherapy physical treatment methods.
Do cervical polyps require hospitalization?
Generally, women with cervical polyps can undergo a minor removal surgery in an outpatient setting, and hospitalization is not necessary. This is because cervical polyps are usually not very large and have a thin, long stalk connected inside the cervical canal. In the outpatient setting, the polyp on the cervix can be clamped with hemostatic forceps, followed by minor excision, or the cervical forceps can be directly rotated to cause ischemia and hypoxia at the base of the stalk, making it fall off on its own. However, some women may have larger cervical polyps, especially those with deeper and broader bases. If polyp removal surgery is performed in an outpatient setting, it may be difficult to locate the base of the polyp to completely remove it, and there could be considerable bleeding during the surgery. Additionally, cervical polyps in some women may be an indication of cervical cancer or endometrial cancer. In such cases, hospitalization and surgical treatment are typically required.
Is the LEEP surgery for cervical polyps painful?
Cervical polyp removal using the LEEP procedure can be painful, but with advances in medical science, this operation can now be performed painlessly to minimize patient discomfort. Therefore, particularly sensitive patients who are very fearful of pain can opt for a painless LEEP procedure at the hospital. This can be achieved through intravenous anesthesia, which generally yields very good results, causes minimal discomfort, and facilitates a smooth recovery. Therefore, LEEP surgery on the cervix without anesthesia might be painful, but with anesthesia, it is usually very effective and problem-free. After surgery, it is important to manage inflammation appropriately and perform a pathological examination of the removed tissue. If there are no other complications, an annual follow-up is generally sufficient.
Can cervical polyps disappear on their own?
Under normal circumstances, cervical polyps do not disappear on their own. However, it is often observed in outpatient clinics that cervical polyps identified before menstruation disappear after menstruation. This scenario is relatively rare, but it does occur. This does not mean that the cervical polyp has disappeared spontaneously. Rather, under the influence of menstruation, the cervical polyp can retract into the cervix. During gynecological ultrasound or examinations, it is not possible to detect the retracted cervical polyp. In such cases, it is recommended that the patient returns for a follow-up examination in the clinic one to two weeks later to confirm whether the cervical polyp still exists.
Is it serious if a cervical polyp bursts?
The texture of cervical polyps in women tends to be more fragile, and they may have inflammatory cell infiltration on their surfaces, which could also affect coagulation functions. If rupture occurs, the bleeding could last longer. Some women with cervical polyps experience minor ruptures and minimal bleeding, which can be quickly stopped using simple compression hemostasis or by applying traditional Chinese medicines locally. However, if the rupture area of the polyp is large, ordinary methods may not suffice to stop the bleeding. Particularly, some cervical polyps in women may indicate carcinogenic changes, as cancer can grow rapidly, possibly outpacing the blood supply, leading to local rupture and shedding. In such cases, the resulting bleeding can be fatal and difficult to control.
Difference between endometrial polyps and cervical polyps
Endometrial polyps and cervical polyps are two types of reproductive system polyps that are relatively common in women. Their differences lie in the following aspects: First, the location of the polyps is different. Endometrial polyps are located inside the uterine cavity, whereas cervical polyps grow in the cervical canal or on the external cervix. Second, the symptoms caused by each are different. Cervical polyps may cause symptoms or tend to cause abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation. In contrast, endometrial polyps typically lead to increased menstrual flow and generally do not cause bleeding outside of menstruation. Third, the examination methods are not completely the same. Endometrial polyps are primarily diagnosed through ultrasound, while cervical polyps are mainly checked through gynecological examination.
Do cervical polyps differentiate between benign and malignant?
Under normal circumstances, cervical polyps are considered benign hyperplastic lesions of the cervix, possibly related to the body's hormone levels or caused by inflammatory stimulation resulting in inflammatory polyps. However, sometimes malignancies of the endometrium or cervix can also present as polyp-like growths. It is usually impossible to distinguish benign from malignant lesions just by visual inspection. Therefore, whenever cervical polyps are found, it is common practice to perform a surgical removal of the cervical polyp and then conduct a histopathological examination to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
Best time for cervical polyp surgery
The best time for cervical polyp surgery is within three to seven days after the end of menstruation, when the cervical canal polyp removal surgery should be performed. After the surgery, the removed tissue must be re-examined pathologically, as most polyps are benign, but a very small number may have malignant tendencies. Therefore, it is essential to perform another pathological examination after the cervical polyp removal surgery. After surgery, oral anti-inflammatory medication should be taken for symptomatic treatment, and sexual intercourse should be avoided for a month. Topical medications can also be used for symptomatic treatment. Since most cervical polyps are caused by chronic inflammation, postoperative anti-inflammatory or topical medications can be used for symptomatic treatment to prevent the recurrence of polyps. After the removal of a cervical canal polyp, it is crucial to have a follow-up check every six months to a year, as polyps are prone to recurrence.