Can endometrial polyps cause bleeding?

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Endometrial polyps can bleed, which is due to the proliferation of the endometrium resulting in a polyp-like tissue formation. This tissue sticks to the endometrium and thus has blood vessels on it. If women experience this, clinical symptoms will present as irregular vaginal bleeding. Such bleeding mostly occurs after menstruation has ended, followed by renewed vaginal bleeding, and the amount of bleeding can increase after physical activity. If this condition occurs, it is necessary to go to the hospital for an ultrasound to first rule out if it is caused by endometrial polyps.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are endometrial polyps?

Endometrial polyps refer to excessive proliferation of the endometrial lining, forming polyp-like tissues. Patients typically experience irregular vaginal bleeding, primarily manifesting as minor vaginal bleeding after menstrual periods have ended. Upon visiting the hospital and undergoing a vaginal ultrasound examination, a polyp-like tissue can be detected within the uterine cavity. Once identified, a hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage is required to remove these tissues. Subsequently, a pathological examination must be conducted to clearly determine the cause and nature of the polyps.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Do uterine polyps affect pregnancy?

Endometrial polyps refer to the hyperplasia of the endometrial lining due to inflammatory stimuli, resulting in many polypoid tissues. Whether endometrial polyps affect pregnancy mainly depends on the number and size of the polyps, and whether they cause clinical symptoms. First, if the polyps are small and few in number without causing an increase in menstrual flow, they generally do not affect pregnancy and do not require removal of the endometrial polyps, as removing them could instead easily damage the function of the endometrial lining. Second, if the polyps are large, over one centimeter, or there are multiple endometrial polyps, and they cause an increase in menstrual volume, this indicates that the endometrial polyps have impacted the woman's body. In such cases, it is necessary to use a hysteroscope to remove the endometrial polyps before trying to conceive.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do uterine polyps require surgery?

Endometrial polyps require surgery. Patients with endometrial polyps generally have clinical symptoms, mainly characterized by irregular vaginal bleeding. This can be a small amount of bleeding after menstruation has ended, or extended periods during menstruation. In such cases, a hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage is needed to remove these polyps. Relatively speaking, hysteroscopy is more accurate and has fewer side effects after surgery, but its disadvantage is the higher cost. The goal of both is to remove the endometrial polyps and then send them for pathological examination.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to check for endometrial polyps?

Endometrial polyp examinations are generally conducted through ultrasound at hospitals, which can provide a clear diagnosis. The best time for this ultrasound is within three to seven days after the end of menstruation. During this period, the thickness of the endometrium is between three to four millimeters, and the endometrial echo is uniform. If, during this period, the endometrial thickness is greater than four millimeters and the echo suggests unevenness, this generally indicates a high possibility of endometrial polyps. Patients with endometrial polyps typically experience shorter menstrual cycles, usually occurring every 20 days, with longer menstruation periods. Normally, the menstruation period lasts from three to seven days, but in patients with endometrial polyps, it can extend to over eight to ten days. Therefore, through symptoms and ultrasound, it is possible to determine whether there are endometrial polyps.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you have intercourse with endometrial polyps?

Endometrial polyps do not prevent sexual intercourse. This is because endometrial polyps are located within the uterine cavity, and sexual intercourse generally affects the vulva, vagina, and cervix. As long as these organs do not have any pathological changes, sexual intercourse is generally possible because the polyps inside the uterine cavity are not contacted during intercourse. Therefore, intercourse does not significantly affect the presence of polyps and can occur. However, if endometrial polyps are discovered, it is crucial to undergo early surgical treatment, which can be done through hysteroscopy or diagnostic curettage, as the polyps can grow larger over time.