Can uterine polyps disappear on their own?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on October 28, 2024
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Endometrial polyps are generally located in the uterine cavity. Some endometrial polyps may be expelled during menstruation, as each menstrual period involves the shedding of the endometrial lining, causing some small polyps to disappear after menstruation. However, if the endometrial polyps persist and are relatively large, causing irregular bleeding, excessive menstrual flow, or affecting pregnancy, it might be necessary to perform a hysteroscopy for examination and treatment, and to send samples for pathological testing.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Endometrial polyp pain sensation

Do endometrial polyps feel painful? Generally, endometrial polyps do not cause any pain unless there is malignant transformation. In such cases, one might experience discomfort or a dragging pain in the lower abdomen. How are endometrial polyps typically diagnosed? They are diagnosed due to clear changes such as excessively heavy menstrual flow. An ultrasound can reveal polyps, or if the menstrual flow is too heavy, a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure is performed, and the material removed is sent for pathological examination to confirm the presence of endometrial polyps. If the polyp is small, it can be left alone as 27% of them resolve on their own. However, if the polyp is large and causes changes in menstruation or affects fertility, a hysteroscopy is necessary.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can endometrial polyps be misdiagnosed?

Endometrial polyps can be misdiagnosed as they are caused by excessive proliferation of the endometrial lining. Clinically, the thickness of the endometrium varies throughout the menstrual cycle. Typically, just before menstruation, the endometrium is quite thick. As a result, some women might notice that their endometrium appears thick, resembling a polyp. If such a condition is observed, it is advisable to wait until after a menstrual period when the endometrium has shed before undergoing an ultrasound examination. If it is indeed an endometrial polyp, it will not shed with the menstrual flow. If it’s just thickened endometrium, it will resolve after menstruation. Therefore, it is essential to perform an ultrasound after menstruation to confirm if it is an endometrial polyp. If the polyp persists after a clean menstrual cycle, it can be diagnosed definitively.

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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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home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
36sec home-news-image

Can uterine polyps disappear on their own?

Endometrial polyps are generally located in the uterine cavity. Some endometrial polyps may be expelled during menstruation, as each menstrual period involves the shedding of the endometrial lining, causing some small polyps to disappear after menstruation. However, if the endometrial polyps persist and are relatively large, causing irregular bleeding, excessive menstrual flow, or affecting pregnancy, it might be necessary to perform a hysteroscopy for examination and treatment, and to send samples for pathological testing.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
37sec home-news-image

What should I do about endometrial polyps?

Endometrial polyps are a common condition in women, with many experiencing them. The treatment for endometrial polyps discovered during an ultrasound primarily depends on the size of the polyps and whether they cause clinical symptoms. Firstly, if the endometrial polyp is relatively small, less than 5mm, and does not cause significant clinical symptoms, it may not require intervention and can be monitored with regular check-ups. Secondly, if the endometrial polyp is larger than 1cm or causes a significant increase in menstrual flow, hysteroscopic surgery should be performed to excise the polyp.