Endocervical polyps are growths in the cervix that are usually not cancerous and may not cause symptoms. They can be discovered during routine gynecological exams and can be removed in a doctor’s office or operating room if necessary. Biopsies are often recommended to check for cancerous cells.
An endocervical polyp is a type of growth that appears in a woman’s neck, called the cervix. Polyps are often red, purplish, or grayish in color and can vary in size, although they are usually small. A woman may have a single endocervical polyp or a group of them. They are usually not cancerous and may not even cause symptoms. To be sure they’re not cancerous, however, doctors often recommend that women have them biopsied, which means tested for cancerous cells.
Endocervical polyps form from the glands in a woman’s cervix. These polyps often occur in women who are at least 20 years old but have yet to reach menopause. Ectocervical polyps, which form from the outer layer of the cervix, are usually more common in women who have gone through menopause. These polyps occur only rarely in girls who haven’t had their first period and are more likely to develop in women who have given birth.
A woman can have an endocervical polyp without having any symptoms. In some cases, however, a woman may notice symptoms such as foul-smelling discharge, abnormal discharge without a foul odor, bleeding between menstrual periods, and bleeding after sex. Some women with these polyps may also have heavier periods as a symptom of growing up. When women have no symptoms, polyps can be discovered during routine gynecological exams.
Usually, an endocervical polyp isn’t harmful to a woman’s health, and if it’s not causing symptoms, there may be no reason to treat it. Often, however, doctors find it best to remove this type of polyp so that they can check for cancerous cells. Sometimes an endocervical polyp detaches on its own. For example, it may simply fall off during intercourse or while a woman is menstruating.
If an endocervical polyp is small, doctors can usually remove it in a doctor’s office rather than having the patient checked out in a hospital. If so, a surgical instrument is typically used to grasp the polyp and tear or twist it from the cervix. If the polyp is large or very large, however, it may need to be removed in the operating room. If so, the area may be numb with local anesthesia or the patient may be given general anesthesia to put them to sleep for the procedure.
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