What is a Polyp?
A polyp is a small piece of flesh that grows inside your body. They can be in different places, such as the intestines and vocal cords, and cause complaints depending on where they are located. Sometimes they do not cause any complaints and are noticed accidentally during examination and imaging methods.
There may be two different types of polyps: the first one is stalked polyps, they are called pedunculated polyps, the second one is flat and grows directly from the surrounding tissue. They are called sessile polyps. Most polyps are benign, but they can rarely turn into cancer. Polyps in the female genital tract can be in 2 different places: Cervical polyps and Intrauterine polyps
Cervical (Cervical) Polyps
Cervical polyps are small polyps that grow in the cervix. The cervix is the canal of the uterus that extends towards the vagina, thus providing the connection between the internal cavity of the uterus and the vagina. During labor, the canal opens and allows the birth of the baby.
Polyps originate from the surface of the cervix or inside the cervical canal, they are usually stalked and They bleed easily. They may be one or more. Diagnosis is usually made by examining the speculum, which is used to see the cervix during gynecological examination.
It is mostly seen in women in their 40s and 50s who have more than one child. Polyps do not develop in young girls who have not yet started their menstrual periods. It may be due to the increase in estrogen hormone.
Polyps are often silent and may not cause complaints. If you have complaints such as bleeding after intercourse, irregular bleeding or spotting between menstruations or after menopause, excessive menstrual bleeding, white or yellow vaginal discharge, you should definitely consult a gynecologist. Cervical polyps are usually benign, rarely developing into cancer. The most important cause of cervical cancer is the HPV virus. However, these complaints may also be symptoms of cervical cancer. Your doctor will perform your gynecological examination and take your Pap Smear test.
Intrauterine (Endometrial) Polyps
They originate from the endometrium that lines the inner cavity of the uterus, and they are called endometrial polyps. Most of them are stalked polyps, but sometimes they can be stalkless. They are round in shape and can be as small as a sesame seed. They can be as big as a golf ball. They may cause bleeding irregularities, spotting, post-menopausal bleeding, groin pain and menstrual pain, or prevent pregnancy.
Since the probability of cancer is very low, polyps may not be removed if there are no complaints. However, it should be removed in women who consult a doctor due to infertility. Unfortunately, it is not possible to treat it with medication, they can be removed with a hysteroscopy tool, which has a lighted camera on its tip and is similar to other endoscopy methods.
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