Uterine polyps may be related to hormones, particularly estrogen, but the exact cause is unknown. Women between ages 40-50, obese women, and those with high blood pressure or who have taken tamoxifen may be at higher risk. Polyps can vary in size and remain in the uterus or grow into the vagina.
Doctors and scientists aren’t sure what causes uterine polyps to develop. Some research shows, however, that they may be related to hormones. For example, they might grow in response to estrogen circulating in the body. There are also factors that can increase a woman’s risk of developing polyps. For example, a woman may be more likely to develop them if she is between the ages of 40 and 50, obese or has high blood pressure. A woman may also be at increased risk if she has been taking a drug called tamoxifen to treat breast cancer.
Uterine polyps are growths of tissue that develop inside a woman’s uterus. They occur when cells in the lining of the uterus grow too large and form polyps, which can vary in size and usually remain in the uterus. It is possible, however, for a uterine polyp to grow large enough to extend into the affected woman’s vagina. A woman might have a single uterine polyp or several at the same time.
Any female can develop a uterus polyp. The cause of the condition is largely unknown, but research indicates that polyp growth is sensitive to estrogen. Interestingly, the lining of a woman’s uterus is sensitive to estrogen and thickens in response to the hormone. Uterine polyps appear to react in the same way, growing in response to circulating estrogen.
While the causes are not known, there are some women who appear to be more at risk for polyps than others. For example, women between the ages of 40 and 50 appear to be more likely to develop the condition. Similarly, a pre-menopausal woman may be more likely to develop a polyp of the uterus. Obesity can also play a role, and a woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is more at risk. Also, women who have taken tamoxifen, which is an anti-estrogen drug used to treat breast cancer, may have an increased risk of developing uterine polyps.
Scientists have also linked the development of uterine polyps to other conditions. For example, some studies suggest that a woman with high blood pressure may be more likely to develop a uterine polyp. Similarly, some studies have revealed a possible link between cervical polyps and uterine polyps. Other studies, however, have failed to find links between those conditions.
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