Cervical polyps grow on the cervix (where the vagina connects to the uterus). They are common and usually harmless. But they can cause irregular vaginal bleeding and may become cancerous over time.

Cervical polyps vary in size and shape, but they are usually less than 3 cm in diameter.

Uterine polyps grow in the uterus. They can occur at any age but are most common between the ages of 40 to 49.

Uterine polyps vary in size and can be one growth or a group of growths.

Symptoms of cervical polyps can include:

• bleeding in between periods
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding after menopause
• abnormal vaginal discharge
• heavy periods
• periods that vary in length and heaviness
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding after menopause
• infertility.

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

• blocked blood vessels in the cervix
• cervical infection
• the body’s response to increased levels of oestrogen.

Uterine polyps are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus. It’s thought that oestrogen plays a role in their growth. The risk of uterine polyps may increase if you are:

• perimenopausal or postmenopausal
• overweight
• taking hormone medicine for breast cancer or menopausal symptoms.

If you think you might have polyps, see your doctor. They will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may also do a pelvic examination and a cervical screening test.

Most of the time cervical polyps are found during a routine cervical screening test.

If your doctor thinks you might have uterine polyps, they may recommend an ultrasound or hysteroscopy to confirm the diagnosis. A hysteroscopy is a thin telescope that shows the inside of your uterus.

Cervical polyps are often removed during a pelvic examination (polypectomy) in your doctor’s clinic. This is usually a painless procedure. If a polyp is too large, you may need to have it removed in surgery, under general anaesthetic.

If polyps are making it hard for you to get pregnant, you may need surgery to remove them.

The polyps are usually checked after they have been removed to make sure they were not cancerous.

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

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms, such as unusual or heavy bleeding, stop you from doing day-to-day activities.

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that form in an ovary or on its surface. Cysts can affect one or both ovaries. Ovarian cysts are very common. Most are harmless and go away without needing treatment.

Ovarian cysts are not related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal condition.

Most of the time ovarian cysts don’t cause any symptoms. But symptoms can include:

• pain in your belly or pelvis that comes and goes
• pain when you do a poo
• pelvic pain just before or just after you get your period
• painful sex
• pain with certain movements
• bloating, pressure or heaviness in your belly.

In some cases, large ovarian cysts can cause your ovary to move or twist, which can be very painful. This can reduce or stop blood flow to your ovary.

Ovarian cysts can also burst (rupture). This can lead to severe pain and bleeding in your pelvis.

Each month, tiny sacs (follicles) in your ovaries release an egg. Sometimes these follicles turn into cysts called functional cysts. Functional cysts are the most common ovarian cysts.

Sometimes ovarian cysts can be cancerous, but this is rare – especially before menopause.

If you think you might have ovarian cysts, see your doctor. They will ask about your symptoms and medical history.

They may also do a pelvic examination and other tests, such as:

• a pregnancy test
• an ultrasound
• blood tests.

Most ovarian cysts don’t need treating. They usually go away on their own.

Some ovarian cysts may need to be removed. For example, if they:

• don’t go away after 3 months
• keep growing
• are larger than 6 cm
• cause symptoms that impact your daily life
• could become cancerous.

Ovarian cysts are usually removed via a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is keyhole surgery performed through small cuts in your belly (abdomen).

Your doctor may also recommend you use the Pill to help prevent the growth of more functional cysts.

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms, such as pelvic pain, stop you from things you normally do.

See your doctor straight away if you have:

• sudden severe pelvic pain
• pain with fever, nausea or vomiting.