Cervical polyps are small, elongated, non-cancerous growth on the cervix, which is a narrow canal situated at the bottom of the uterus and extends into the vagina. The cervix connects the uterine cavity and the upper part of the vagina, which acts as the passageway for sperm to fertilize an egg and result in pregnancy. During the process of labour, the cervix becomes dilated and wider which lets the baby pass via the birth canal.
Cervical polyps do not cause any symptoms and may not need treatment. However, getting periodic pelvic examinations and Pap smear tests can help identify cervical polyps at an early stage. Polyps are delicate structures that grow from stems rooted on the surface of the cervix or inside the cervical canal. It may be present as one or two or three at the most.
Cervical polyps are benign( noncancerous) and cervical cancer rarely occurs from polyps. Generally, most cervical cancers are caused due to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is also a cause of genital warts.
Symptoms
Polyps on the cervix usually may not cause any observable symptoms, however, consult your gynaecologist immediately if you experience vaginal discharge or white or yellow mucus, or abnormally heavy periods.
Also, seek medical advice if you experience vaginal bleeding or spotting:
- After sexual intercourse
- Between periods
- After douching
- After menopause
Some of these can also be signs of cancer. In very rare cases, polyps represent an early stage of cervical cancer, and removing them helps lower the risk of cancer.
Causes
It is still not very clear why cervical polyps develop. Some of the reasons include:
- Increased levels of the female sex hormone estrogen
- Chronic inflammation of the cervix, vagina, or uterus
- Clogged blood vessels
Estrogen levels naturally vary throughout all phases of life. While the levels of estrogen will be highest during childbearing years - pregnancy and during the menopause phase.
A synthetic chemical that imitates estrogen is present in the environment like xenoestrogens, which is found in commercially produced meats and dairy products. Also, chemical estrogens can also be released into food that’s heated in plastic or plastic foam containers. Some air fresheners also contain phthalates, which are a kind of estrogen-like chemicals.
Inflammation
An inflamed cervix looks red, irritated, or eroded. Some of the causes of cervical inflammation include:
- Bacterial infection
- HPV infection
- Herpes
- Yeast infections
- Pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Abortion
- Hormonal changes
Diagnosis
Gynaecologist can easily see polyps during a regular pelvic exam. The doctor will see smooth, finger-like growths on the cervix that look red or purple. Cervical polyps are categorized into two types- ectocervical and endocervical.
Ectocervical polyps occur from the outer surface of cervical cells, while endocervical polyps arise from glands and they’re the common type of cervical polyp. Ectocervical polyp types are common in postmenopausal women and endocervical polyps are more likely seen in premenopausal women.
Biopsy or tissue samples of the polyps are taken and analyzed. Results show benign polyps in most cases and in a very rare case, abnormal or precancerous patterns of growth known as neoplastic changes are observed.
Also Read: Colposcopy: Procedure, Risks And Results
Treatment
Cervical polyps at times will disconnect from the cervix on their own during menstruation or sexual intercourse. Generally, doctors don’t remove cervical polyps until they cause any symptoms. Removing polyps is a simple procedure that can be done as an outpatient procedure and no pain medication is needed.
Methods of removing cervical polyps include:
- Twisting the polyp off at the bottom
- Tying a surgical string around the edge of the polyps and cutting it away
- Using ring forceps to remove
Methods to damage the base of the polyps include:
- With help of liquid nitrogen
- Electrocautery ablation
- Laser surgery
The patient may feel mild pain for a short time during the removal of a polyp and moderate cramps for a few hours. Spotting of blood from the vagina may happen for 1-2 days after removal. If the polyps are too large then you may need to have surgery to remove the cervical polyp in a hospital. Once the doctor removes the polyps they don’t grow back.
Recovery
Polyp removal is a simple, safe, and noninvasive procedure, but if polyps are hard, patients are at higher risk of developing again. Getting regular pelvic exams helps to find any growth early in their development.
Prevention
Following these simple measures may help to reduce the risk of cervical polyps being linked to infections, which include:
- Wearing cotton undergarments that let good air circulation, and avert excess heat and moisture, which is the ideal source for infections.
- Using a condom or other preventive methods during sexual intercourse
- Ensure getting regular pelvic exams and Pap smear tests to help detect cervical polyps early
