WHENAUTERINE POLYPIS
CAUSING YOUR BLEEDING
A uterine or endometrial polyp in a woman technically speaking, is a tumor, although it’s almost always a benign (non cancerous) tumor. Generally, uterine polyps are harmless.
The symptoms of uterine polyps are abnormal vaginal bleeding after intercourse, or abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of the menstrual period or after menopause. Other symptoms are irregular periods, heavy menstrual periods, and a dull abdominal aching (if the polyps are large).
According to Dr Steven R. Goldstein, an Obgyn in Manhattan, and a specialist in Transvaginal Ultrasound, a polyp is a growth with its own central blood vessel, as opposed to tissue growth. The bigger ones Dr Goldstein has seen range from the size of a thumbnail to the size of a lime. Uterine polyps have a connection to the uterine lining known as a stalk.
Sometimes the stalk is very broad, sometimes very narrow. But whatever
their appearance, they are growths derived from endometrial tissue projecting into the endometrial cavity. Uterine polyps can be a major source of abnormal bleeding. Sometimes they cause cramps as the uterus tries to expel them.
Since a uterine polyp is inside of the uterus, your doctor can’t feel it during a pelvic exam. In the past, the only way to diagnose a uterine polyp was to do a Dilatation and Curettage (D&C). However, this is a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia and recovery time.
Today, a Transvaginal Ultrasound shows the lining of the uterus. Let’s say the lining looks thick in an area. The thickness might be a polyp off the front wall, for example. However, since the uterus is collapsed, the doctor really can’t be sure. However, with saline infusion Sonohysterography, fluid can be introduced into the uterus, which slightly separates the front and back walls from each other, allowing the doctor to clearly see an abnormality that is focal (coming off just one area) like a polyp, versus abnormal buildup of the tissue, which occurs in every nook and cranny of the endometrium and is known medically as “global”.
Dr Goldstein, an Obgyn in Manhattan and former Director of Gynecologic Ultrasound at New York University Medical Center and a past President of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, performs his own Transvaginal Ultrasounds and saline infusion Sonohysterography in his office. He doesn’t rely on a technician or a report, he sees the uterus clearly for himself. These procedures are painless and take a few minutes (unlike a D&C).
Polyps are removed via Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) or hysteroscopy. Once removed, they are not likely to recur. It is important that you have the D&C to remove a polyp you know about, not to find out if you have one or not. This article is provided for information only. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, check with your gynecologist. As usual, Dr Goldstein, a leading Obgyn in Manhattan is available for a consultation.