What Is a Uterine Polyp? | Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What Is a Uterine Polyp?

Uterine health shapes everything from monthly comfort to long-term fertility. Among the common issues people face is the uterine polyp. It is usually a harmless growth that can still cause bothersome symptoms like irregular bleeding.

Many discover a polyp only after a routine check or when investigating heavy periods, spotting, or trouble conceiving. The good news is that most polyps are benign, often easy to remove when needed, and treatments are highly effective.

This guide explains what uterine polyps are, who gets them, how they’re found, and what your options are if one shows up on a scan or exam.

What Exactly is a Uterine Polyp?

A uterine polyp is a small overgrowth of tissue on the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium). It forms when cells in the endometrium multiply more than usual and create a soft projection attached by a slender stalk or a broader base.

Polyps can be round or oval and vary in size from a few millimeters (like a sesame seed) to a few centimeters (about the size of a golf ball), and sometimes larger. You may have a single polyp or several at the same time. Most are noncancerous, but some can cause irregular bleeding or affect fertility.

How do Uterine Polyps Form?

Polyps are linked to the normal hormone cycles that thicken the uterine lining each month. Estrogen, in particular, stimulates the endometrium to grow. When this process becomes unbalanced, small areas may overgrow and form a polyp. That’s why many risk factors for polyps relate to higher lifetime exposure to estrogen.

Who can get Uterine Polyps?

They’re most often found in people in their 40s and 50s, around the years leading up to menopause and just after it. Polyps are less common under age 20, but they can occur at any adult age.

Your chances are higher if you are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, or if you take certain medicines that influence hormones (for example, some breast-cancer treatments) or use high-estrogen hormone therapy. People with specific inherited conditions (such as Lynch or Cowden syndromes) also have a higher risk and should be followed closely.

Are Uterine Polyps Common?

Yes, especially around perimenopause and after menopause. It’s hard to pin down exact numbers because many polyps don’t cause symptoms and go undetected. But among people who are scanned for bleeding or fertility concerns, polyps are a frequent finding.

Symptoms of Uterine Polyps

The hallmark symptom is abnormal uterine bleeding. That can look like:

• Irregular periods (unpredictable timing or flow)
• Heavier-than-usual periods
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sex
• Any bleeding after menopause

Some people with polyps have no symptoms at all, and the growth is found during tests for another issue. Very large polyps can sometimes cause a dull pelvic ache that feels like menstrual cramps, though pain isn’t typical.

Can Polyps Affect Fertility or Pregnancy?

They can but not always. A polyp can interfere with sperm meeting the egg or with embryo implantation simply by taking up space in the uterine cavity or by altering the local environment.

Removing a cavity-distorting polyp can improve the uterine landscape. While many people conceive without any problem even with a polyp present, those dealing with infertility or repeated treatment cycles may be advised to remove one before trying again.

How are Uterine Polyps Diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with your history and a pelvic exam, then may include one or more of these:

• Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS): A small probe in the vagina creates images of the uterus. This is often the first step and can show thickened lining or a polyp-like area.
• Saline infusion sonography (sonohysterography): Sterile fluid is gently instilled into the uterus during ultrasound to “open” the cavity, making small polyps easier to see.
• Hysteroscopy: A thin lighted scope is passed through the cervix so your clinician can look directly inside the uterus. This can be diagnostic and therapeutic, because tools can be used through the scope to remove a polyp during the same procedure.
• Endometrial sampling (biopsy) or curettage: A small amount of tissue is collected from the lining for lab analysis. If a polyp is removed, it’s routinely sent to the lab to check for any abnormal or cancerous cells.

Treatment options For Uterine Polyps

Treatment depends on your age, symptoms, fertility plans, and overall risk profile. Many plans are simple and highly effective.

• If you’re pre-menopausal and have a small polyp without symptoms, your clinician may suggest monitoring rather than treating right away. Some polyps shrink or disappear on their own.
• Hormone-based medicines (such as progestins or certain hormone-modulating drugs) can reduce bleeding in the short term. However, symptoms often return after the medication is stopped, so this approach is usually a bridge rather than a permanent fix.
• Hysteroscopic polypectomy is the standard treatment when a polyp needs removal. During hysteroscopy, the polyp is visualized and snipped away using fine instruments.
• Because the clinician can see the exact location, removal is precise, and surrounding tissue is spared. Most people go home the same day, cramping is usually mild, and recovery is quick. The tissue is sent to the lab to confirm the diagnosis.

When is Hysterectomy Considered?

If cancer is found within a polyp, or if there are other serious conditions affecting the uterus, your team may discuss removing the uterus (hysterectomy). This is not typical for simple benign polyps, but it can be the safest option in select cases.

Can Uterine Polyps be Prevented?

There’s no proven way to prevent polyps completely. Regular gynecologic care helps detect changes early, especially if you’re in a higher-risk group or notice new bleeding patterns. Managing weight, blood pressure, and discussing the risks and benefits of hormone-related therapies with your clinician are practical steps that support overall uterine health.

When to see a Doctor for Uterine Polyps

Make an appointment if you have:

• Bleeding or spotting after menopause
• Bleeding between periods
• Heavier or much longer periods than usual
• Bleeding after sex
• Trouble conceiving after several months of trying

Frequently Asked Questions

Are uterine polyps and fibroids the same thing?
No. Polyps are soft overgrowths of the uterine lining (endometrium). Fibroids are firm, muscular growths that start in the wall of the uterus (myometrium). Fibroids are made of muscle tissue; polyps are made of lining tissue. Both can cause heavy bleeding, but they look different on imaging and are treated in different ways.

Can uterine polyps cause bleeding?
Yes, abnormal bleeding is the most common sign. You may notice spotting between periods, heavier periods, or bleeding after sex. Any bleeding after menopause deserves evaluation.

Can uterine polyps cause weight gain?
Not directly. Polyps themselves don’t cause weight gain. However, being overweight or obesity is a risk factor for developing polyps because of higher estrogen exposure. Addressing weight can improve overall reproductive health, but a polyp won’t add pounds by itself.

How common are uterine polyps?
They’re fairly common, especially in midlife and after menopause. Because many polyps cause no symptoms, the true number is hard to estimate. Among people investigated for irregular bleeding or infertility, polyps are a frequent finding.

Are uterine polyps usually cancerous?
Most are benign. Only a small percentage around five percent are cancerous. The risk is higher in people who are postmenopausal or who have unexplained bleeding. That’s why removed tissue is routinely checked in the lab.

Do uterine polyps always need surgery?
No. Small, symptom-free polyps in younger patients can often be watched. Surgery (usually a quick hysteroscopic removal) is recommended if you have symptoms, if the polyp distorts the uterine cavity, if you’re trying to conceive, or if there’s concern about abnormal cells.

Will removing a polyp help with fertility?
It can. If a polyp is taking up space in the uterine cavity or disrupting the lining, removing it can improve implantation conditions. Your clinician will weigh polyp size, location, and your broader fertility plan.

Is uterine polyp removal painful?
You’ll receive pain control for the procedure. Most people feel mild cramping afterward and return to normal activities quickly. Your team will share after-care steps, like avoiding intercourse or tampons for a short time while the lining heals.

Can a polyp come out through the cervix?
Occasionally. Some polyps can “prolapse” and extend through the cervix, where they might be seen during an exam. These can still be removed safely, often with the same hysteroscopic approach.

Do polyps come back after removal?
Recurrence is uncommon. If a new polyp appears later, it can usually be treated in the same minimally invasive way. Keeping up with routine follow-ups is the best way to catch any changes early.

Conclusion

Uterine polyps are common, usually benign growths of the uterine lining. They often come to light because of irregular bleeding or during work-ups for fertility. Diagnosis is straightforward with modern imaging and hysteroscopy, and treatment when needed is typically a brief, precise procedure with quick recovery and excellent results.

While most polyps are not dangerous, it’s important to take new or unusual bleeding seriously, especially after menopause. If you suspect a polyp or have been told you have one, a focused discussion with your clinician about symptoms, fertility plans, and risks will help you choose the best path forward.