Uterine polyps specialists 

Uterine polyps can affect women of all ages, but most commonly form during perimenopause or after menopause. This is because hormonal changes during this time can make polyps more likely to appear. If you have high blood pressure, are overweight, or are taking certain hormonal medications, this can also put you at a greater risk of developing uterine polyps.

While the exact causes of uterine polyps aren’t fully understood, hormonal imbalances are thought to play a significant role. A woman’s uterine lining thickens each month in response to the hormone oestrogen, and uterine polyps may develop when this lining grows excessively, and fails to shed properly. Other potential factors of polyps developing include:

• Your age, particularly approaching or after menopause 
• High blood pressure
• A high BMI (of 25 or more)
• Using tamoxifen, a medication for breast cancer
• Taking HRT with a high level of oestrogen

Symptoms can vary depending on how big the uterine polyps are, and where they form. Common signs can include:

• Heavy periods
• Irregular periods
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Problems trying to conceive 
• Bleeding after menopause
• Bleeding after sex

Yes, it’s entirely possible to have uterine polyps without experiencing any symptoms. In many cases, they’re only discovered during an unrelated medical exam or pelvic ultrasound.

While uterine polyps don’t always cause pain, you might experience discomfort, especially if the polyps are large or located near your cervix. You may feel a cramping sensation, pelvic pain, or pressure in your lower abdomen.

Our gynaecology specialists would diagnose uterine polyps after taking your medical history, a physical examination, and some imaging tests via an ultrasound. The diagnostic tools we commonly use are:

• Transvaginal ultrasound: We would insert a slim probe into your vagina to obtain detailed images of your uterus.
• Hysteroscopy: We would insert a thin, flexible tube with a camera into your uterus to allow us to see any polyps.
• Endometrial Biopsy: We would take a small sample of your uterine tissue to check for the possibility of cancer or other abnormalities.

Treatment for uterine polyps depends on your symptoms, age, and whether you’re planning to have children. Treatment options can include:

• Monitoring: If the polyps are small and asymptomatic, we may simply recommend keeping an eye on the polyps during regular check-ups. 
• Medication: Hormonal therapies, such as progestins, may temporarily alleviate symptoms.
• Surgical Removal: A procedure called a hysteroscopic polypectomy can be used to remove polyps.

Yes, uterine polyps can impact fertility by interfering with egg fertilisation, implantation, and your fallopian tubes. If you’re struggling to conceive, we may advise that you have your polyps removed to improve your chances of conceiving.

In some cases, uterine polyps can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable, particularly if your polyps are large, or located near your cervix. If you experience pain during sex, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor, as they can investigate the reasons why this might be.

Most uterine polyps are benign and don’t lead to cancer. However, a small percentage may become cancerous or indicate a higher risk of endometrial cancer. This is why it’s really important to visit your doctor at regular intervals, so they can monitor your polyps and give you the best advice on management, treatment and potential removal.

It’s important to visit your doctor if you experience symptoms of a polyp in the uterus. These may include:

• Unusually heavy or irregular periods
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Postmenopausal bleeding
• Pain during sex or pelvic discomfort

It’s totally understandable to feel anxious if you have uterine polyps, but with proper diagnosis and care, they are highly manageable.