Cervical polyps are common in women aged 40-60 and are usually benign, but can cause heavy bleeding or abnormal discharge. They can be detected during a pelvic exam and removed by twisting or cutting. Regular checkups are recommended.
A cervical polyp is a small growth that appears on the lining of the cervical canal. Polyps are common in women who have had children, especially in women between the ages of 40 and 60. Nearly all polyps are benign, which means they are unlikely to become cancerous or cause serious health problems. A particularly large or irritated polyp, however, can lead to abnormal vaginal discharge or heavy bleeding during menstruation. Once a polyp is detected by a gynecologist, your doctor may decide to remove it to prevent the chances of infection.
A polyp usually emerges as a small red or purple bump along the cervical lining. It is considered a hyperplastic condition, which means that otherwise healthy cells in the cervix multiply and grow faster than normal until they form a polyp. Doctors don’t fully understand why polyps grow, but research suggests that blood vessel blockages and inflammation from infections may play a role. The condition is also related to abnormally high levels of estrogen in the body.
Most women who have polyps have no physical symptoms and the growths aren’t found until routine gynecological exams. It is possible for a cervical polyp to cause heavy bleeding during a woman’s period or abnormal spotting after intercourse or douching. If the polyp of the cervix becomes infected, it can lead to a condition called leucorrhoea in which white or yellow mucus is discharged from the vagina. A person experiencing symptoms should make an appointment with her gynecologist so she can receive a proper diagnosis.
A gynecologist can see a polyp of the cervix during a pelvic exam. Your doctor may decide to remove a small piece of tissue from the polyp for laboratory testing to make sure the growth is benign. Once tests confirm that the polyp is not cancerous, your ob-gyn can determine if it should be removed. Polyps that cause no symptoms are usually left alone, but a particularly large growth that causes bleeding can be extracted.
In many cases, a gynecologist can remove a cervical polyp simply by twisting it. If the twist is ineffective, the doctor usually chooses to tie a string around the base of the polyp to cut off the blood supply and cut the growth away with a scalpel. After removing the growth, your doctor may stitch or cauterize the base to stop the bleeding and prevent infection. It’s rare for a cervical polyp to come back after successful surgery, but a woman who is being treated should schedule regular checkups with her ob-gyn to maintain the health of her reproductive tract.
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