Cyprus Endometrial Polyp Treatment

What is Endometrial Polyp?

Uterine polyps are lesions which grow in the lining of the uterus (in endometrium) and which are generally benign. They are mostly located on the top region of the uterus. It is thought that estrogen, which known as the female hormone, is the primary cause of endometrial polyp formation. Polyps are benign tissue masses that grow inside the uterus. Endometrial polyps very rarely turn into cancer. Such rate is between 0.3% and 0.5%. Endometrial polyps rarely occur in women under 20 years old. They usually grow in women who are aged between 25 and 50 years and before menopause (pre-menopause). After menopause, menstrual periods stop and ovaries make less of a hormone called estrogen. Therefore, polyp does not grow.

What are The Symptoms?

Most of the polyps do not cause any symptoms and silently grow. The most frequent symptoms that are manifested in women with endometrial polyp are irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair development and infertility. Typical symptom in women with polyp is brown-colored vaginal discharge. Ultrasound scan which is a simple method for final diagnosis must be performed by an experienced and specialist doctor.

How is Polyp Diagnosed?

• SİS (Saline Ultrasound)
• HSG (Fluoroscopic Examination of The Uterus)
• Hysteroscopy
• MR

Does It Cause Infertility?

Polyps are lesions which frequently occur in reproductive age. They are frequently encountered in patients who suffer from infertility problem. Polyps can grow in the uterus in different sizes, different numbers and different locations. Polyps themselves or inconsequential effects of factors that lead to polyp may cause infertility.

Negative effects of polyps on conception:

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Formations of inflammatory endometrial responses (similar to intrauterine device/IUD)
• They act as obstacles on sperm pathway
• Physical and hormonal adverse effect on embryo implantation (embryo’s attachment to the uterine wall)
• Adverse micro-environment effect on embryo implantation and growth

Treatment for Endometrial Polyp

Treatment for polyp is the removal of polyp through surgery.

Polyps are examined by looking into the uterus through camera in the examination method called hysteroscopy and they are simultaneously incised and removed through operative hysteroscopy. In polyp operation, experience and manual skills of the doctor who performs this operation is very important. Op. Dr. Şevket Alptürk has been conducting treatment of polyps by using office hysteroscopy and operative hysteroscopy successfully for years. Endometrial polyp treatment can also be conducted in form of Curettage (D&C).

In procedures conducted by use of Curettage method, bases of polyps cannot be removed and polyps may recur.

As in operations conducted with hysteroscopy, polyps are visible and therefore can be removed more effectively. Therefore, it is the method that is mostly preferred. The procedure used to remove of polyps is also called polypectomy.

Not every polyp requires surgery. After detailed examination, your doctor will decide and inform you accordingly.

Endometrial Polyp Operation and Post-Operation

Polyp operation is a simple procedure that can be performed on the same day. As the operation is performed under sedation which is light anesthesia, it requires the patient to have empty stomach 4-6 hours before the surgery. Operation lasts 10-15 minutes under normal conditions. Patient is expected to regain consciousness after the surgery and can leave the hospital within one hour after that.

Light bleeding that lasts 1-2 days after operation is considered as normal. Endometrial Polyps may recur, though rarely. Therefore, patients are recommended to get it checked periodically. Patients can have sexual intercourse after bleeding that may occur after endometrial polyp treatment stops.

What Happens If Patient Does Not Get Endometrial Polyp Removed?

If endometrial polyps are not removed, they may cause irregular-heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods and, therefore anemia. Patient’s sexual life and social life may be affected negatively. If anemia develops, it causes fatigue and tiredness.

Polyp growth or formation does not generally cause pain. However, they may cause irregular menstrual period and pain-based aches.

There is a risk for endometrial polyps to turn into cancer although it is low. Unremoved polyps may get cancerous in women, especially after menopause. Moreover, they may get cancerous before menopause in women who are heavily obese and with polycystic over syndrome (PCOS).

Polyps may cause infertility as they hinder conception through irregular bleeding and by preventing embryo’s attachment to the uterine wall.