Cervical and uterine polyps

Cervical polyps are small growths that appear on the cervix (where the vagina connects to the uterus). They may vary in size and shape, but are usually less than 4 cm in diameter.

Cervical polyps are quite common and usually harmless. But, in rare cases, they can be cancerous.

Most women with cervical polyps don’t have any symptoms. For those who do, the most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can include:

• bleeding between periods
• heavy periods
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding after menopause.

We don’t know the exact cause of cervical polyps, but it may be associated with:

• blocked blood vessels in the cervix
• infections
• unusual reactions to higher levels of the oestrogen hormone
• genetic factors.

Most of the time cervical polyps are found during routine health checks, for example, pelvic examinations.

Doctors may ask about your symptoms and medical history to help decide on the best treatment. In some cases, a cervical screening test may be done to check for other possible causes of symptoms.

If you don’t have any symptoms, the polyps may not need to be removed. But some women choose to have them removed to prevent possible symptoms in the future. This procedure can usually be done in a doctor’s clinic.

Once polyps are removed, they don’t usually grow back.

You can’t prevent cervical polyps. But you can see your doctor for regular sexual health checks to find and treat polyps early.

Uterine polyps are small growths that form in the lining of the uterus. They can vary in size and may be a single or multiple growths.

Although they aren’t usually cancerous, they can be, so it’s important to see your doctor if you’re worried about symptoms, such as heavy periods.

Uterine polyps can develop at any age, but they are most commonly found in women between the ages of 40 and 49.

Some women don’t experience any symptoms from uterine polyps.

The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can include:

• heavy periods
• bleeding between periods
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding after menopause.

Uterine polyps can also cause:

• abdominal pain
• unusual vaginal discharge
• infertility

Uterine polyps are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus. This may be caused by factors like:

• oestrogen hormone levels
• inflammation
• genetics.

Uterine polyps are usually found during routine pelvic examinations or fertility checks.

To diagnose them, your doctor will usually ask about your symptoms and medical history, do a pelvic examination and use imaging tests.

Commonly recommended tests include:

• transvaginal ultrasound (where an ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina)
• hysteroscopy (a procedure that uses a small camera to look inside the uterus).

If you don’t have any symptoms, the polyps may not need to be removed. Your doctor will usually recommend monitoring through regular check-ups.

Most polyps aren’t cancerous and some may shrink or disappear on their own without treatment.

Hormonal treatments, such as progesterone therapy or hormonal IUDs, may be used before or after surgery to help reduce bleeding and prevent new polyps from forming.

Polyp removal (called a polypectomy) may be recommended if:

• the polyps are large
• there is a risk for endometrial cancer
• the polyps are affecting fertility.

This procedure can be done in some hospital outpatient clinics or under a general anaesthetic.

After removal, polyps are sent for lab testing to check for signs of cancer.

There is currently no proven way to prevent uterine polyps.

Talk to your doctor if you’re worried about polyps or if symptoms, such as heavy periods, impact your day-to-day activities.