Is the LEEP surgery for cervical polyps painful?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 17, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
51sec home-news-image

Can cervical polyps be detected during a gynecological examination?

Cervical polyps are generally detected through a gynecological internal examination or colposcopy, and this diagnosis is not difficult. Once cervical polyps are detected, they are usually removed 3 to 7 days after the menstrual cycle has ended. The removed polyps are then examined pathologically, and postoperative anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment is sufficient. The vast majority of cervical polyps are benign, with a very low likelihood of becoming malignant, so patients with cervical polyps need not worry. If one wishes to know whether they have cervical polyps, they can undergo a gynecological internal examination and a colposcopic examination at the hospital; both tests can detect cervical polyps.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can cervical polyps lead to natural childbirth?

Cervical polyps generally allow for natural childbirth, as they do not affect the delivery process. During pregnancy, if cervical polyps are present, there may be minor vaginal bleeding, but these polyps usually do not impact the pregnancy or childbirth. If vaginal bleeding occurs during pregnancy, it is necessary to examine the cervix. If cervical polyps are observed, the bleeding might be caused by the polyps, which could indicate a threatened miscarriage. Therefore, if cervical polyps are present, they should be removed. Once the cervical polyps are removed, bleeding generally ceases. Thus, if vaginal bleeding continues after the removal of cervical polyps, it may indicate a threatened miscarriage during pregnancy, requiring further examination.