Intrauterine polyps can be defined as "pieces of meat" formed inside the uterus as a result of the thickening and growth of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium). Polyps can develop in different sizes, numbers and in different places within the uterus.
It is thought that the estrogen hormone has an effect on the development of polyps. Although polyps are common in reproductive age, they occur more often in the 40s and 50s. While polyps sometimes do not cause any complaints or symptoms, sometimes they are diagnosed during an ultrasound performed during a gynecological examination. It should be removed when the diagnosis is made.
What Kind of Complaints Do Intrauterine Polyps Cause?
The most common symptom in women with uterine polyps is irregular vaginal bleeding. In studies conducted on women with abnormal vaginal bleeding, polyps were found in 30% of them.
Other symptoms are menstrual bleeding lasting longer than normal, menstrual bleeding being more severe than normal, pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse, and cramp-like pain during menstrual periods. Sometimes polyps can grow too large and protrude from the cervix, extending into the vagina and becoming infected. This causes discharge.
Can Women with Intrauterine Polyps Get Pregnant?
Although most polyps do not cause any symptoms, they can make it difficult to get pregnant by preventing sperm passage, embryo attachment and development, and pregnancy. During pregnancy, they can cause miscarriage.
How Are Intrauterine Polyps Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of endometrial polyp can be made with a simple ultrasound examination. The following methods can be used to diagnose polyp:
1. SIS (Uterine Examination with Serum)
SIS method is the observation of the inner cavity of the uterus with ultrasound while physiological saline is injected into the uterus through a thin catheter. Generally, it may not be possible to see polyps in the uterus clearly with ultrasonography alone. The reason for this is that the front and back walls inside the uterus are stuck to each other.
Since the polyps are stuck between the two, they become flat and are not easy to see. However, it is possible to clearly see the polyps inside during the "hysterosonography" examination, which is performed by filling the uterus with water.
2. HSG (Uterine Film i)
Polyps may appear as filling defects in the uterine film.
3. Hysteroscopy
It is the most important method for both diagnosis and treatment. Hysteroscopy is an endoscopy method in which the inner cavity of the uterus is examined through a lighted camera. Polyps are detected by hysteroscopy and removed in the same session.
Is it Possible to Treat Intrauterine Polyps?
Polyps can be removed by viewing the camera from the inside of the uterus using the "hysteroscopy" method. The removed polyps are examined by pathology. Polyps need to be monitored regularly.
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