What are uterine polyps?

When should you visit a doctor?

A patient who necessitates removing the polyps when one or more of the following symptoms occur should visit the doctor immediately.

• Infertility
• Lengthy and heavy menstrual periods
• Irregular periods
• Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause

How to get rid of uterine polyps?

Polyps that are smaller in size go away by themselves without any surgery. It is required to monitor to ensure they don't grow to a large size and they dissolve on their own.

To diagnose, the doctor performs a pelvic ultrasound. In some cases, the ultrasound alone cannot help in diagnosing the polyps. So, the doctor uses a small camera or scope, called the hysteroscopy, to look deep inside the uterus.

Based on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor might recommend any one of the below treatments.

• Medications: Drugs that regulate hormonal balance can help to relieve symptoms. However, this is not a permanent solution, as the symptoms may eventually develop when the medications are stopped.
• Hysteroscopy: In this method, the doctor inserts the surgical instruments through the incision made over the uterus region and looks deep inside the uterus with the help of the hysteroscope inserted through the other incision made. The polyps, if any are found, are then surgically removed.
• Curettage: This is an effective method used to remove smaller polyps. The procedure is done along with a hysteroscopy. While the doctor looks at the uterus through hysteroscope, if polyps are found, are scraped and removed from the region with the help of a curettage. The specimen is then sent to the laboratory to test if the cells are cancerous or benign.
• Hysterectomy: This surgery involves removing the entire uterus. A vaginal hysterectomy is done through the vagina. In an abdominal hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through an incision in the stomach area.

Can uterine polyps be prevented and what are the risk factors seen?

Uterine polyps cannot be prevented rather treated by having regular gynecological checkups.

Risk factors include the following:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure

What can you expect during post-surgical care for uterine polyps' removal?

Like every surgical procedure, the patient will have slight discomfort post-surgery as the anesthesia wears off and can be treated with medications.

Slight bleeding can be experienced due to the removal of polyps. This might continue for about 14 days post-surgery and stomach cramps may also be felt. It is normal and recedes after 14-16 days.

Besides, the patient will not have periods in the case of hysterectomy as the entire uterus is removed in the procedure.

The following measures are usually advised by a doctor:

• Do not lift heavy weights or exercise strenuously until the incisions are healed completely
• Do not scratch or constantly touch the suture scars as you might have infections.
• Avoid having sex until the incisions are healed and take advice from your doctor on when to go for it. It is normally advised to refrain until 6 weeks post-surgery.
• Avoid using tampons for at least 2 weeks after the procedure