Do cervical polyps require surgery?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 25, 2024
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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.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 17sec home-news-image

How to perform surgery on cervical polyps

According to the different shapes of cervical polyps in women and the varying depths of their stalks, the surgical methods also vary. For instance, if a woman discovers a small cervical polyp with a thin stalk that isn’t located too deeply, it can be treated in an outpatient setting. Usually, the stalk is clamped with a hemostatic forceps, then continuously twisted until it naturally breaks off, and the bleeding is generally not substantial, often not requiring hospitalization. However, for some women with larger cervical polyps and broader stalks located deeper within, especially when the stalk is deep within the cervical canal, performing a cervical polyp removal surgery in an outpatient setting may result in incomplete removal of the stalk, and the bleeding can be more significant. In such cases, hospitalization is usually required to perform an electrosurgical excision of the cervical polyp under hysteroscopy, during which the stalk can be completely removed and the bleeding can be thoroughly controlled.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can cervical polyps heal themselves?

Cervical polyps can sometimes heal on their own. If the cervical polyp is small or has a thin stalk, there is a possibility that it might become necrotic and fall off, but this scenario is relatively rare. Most cervical polyps require surgical treatment. However, the surgery for cervical polyps is relatively simple; the stalk of the polyp can be destroyed using laser or radiofrequency, causing it to fall off. Additionally, if cervical polyps are not treated, they might cause irregular vaginal bleeding, and there is a possibility of malignant transformation, although the rate of malignancy is quite low.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Is it okay not to have surgery for cervical polyps?

When women have cervical polyps, surgical treatment is required regardless of the size of the polyps, and not undergoing surgery is not an option. Firstly, the texture of cervical polyps is relatively fragile, which can easily lead to bleeding upon contact, such as bleeding after intercourse. Some women with vaginal inflammation can infect the cervical polyps, leading to inflammatory secretions, such as purulent secretions or secretions containing blood. If cervical polyps are not surgically removed, they may continue to grow, and they have a characteristic of being multiple. For instance, the occurrence of multiple cervical polyps can also affect the normal menstrual cycle of women. Some women with cervical cancer or endometrial cancer can also present polyp-like growths, and from the appearance, it is not possible to distinguish whether the growths are malignant or benign. Therefore, generally, once cervical polyps are found, they should be surgically removed, and a histological examination should be performed after surgery to rule out the possibility of malignant changes.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you have sexual intercourse with cervical polyps?

Patients with cervical polyps can easily experience bleeding during sexual intercourse. Therefore, if cervical polyps are present, the first step should be their removal. If bleeding during sexual intercourse persists after the removal, it is essential to undergo precancerous cervical screening. This is because contact bleeding during intercourse can occur if there are precancerous lesions in the cervix, and timely treatment is necessary. Precancerous cervical screening, which includes HPV and TCT tests, is a mandatory examination for women over the age of 30, allowing for the early detection of precancerous cervical changes and cervical cancer.

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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.