Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsWho Is at Risk?DiagnosisTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Who Is at Risk?

Diagnosis

Treatment

Almost a quarter of all females experienceuterine polyps, an overgrowth of tissue in the endometrium. While many people experienceabnormal uterine bleeding, the fact is that uterine polyps are often asymptomatic.

When symptoms of uterine polyps are apparent, they’re similar to those of more serious conditions, such asendometrial cancer.If you have thesesymptomsit’s important that you see a healthcare provider to rule outcancer. The symptoms may include several types of abnormal uterine bleeding such as:

An illustration with information about the symptoms of uterine polyps

Uterine Polyps and Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of trying. One study noted that the prevalence of diagnosing unsuspected intrauterine abnormalities during hysteroscopy prior to in vitro fertilization was between 11% and 45%.If a person is experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, it’s more likely that polyps are present.

Uterine polyps can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. They can also block the area where the fallopian tube connects to the uterine cavity, preventing sperm from traveling into the tube to meet the egg.

Similarly, they can block the canal of the cervix, which would prevent sperm from entering the uterus at all. Polyps may also play a role in miscarriage for some people.

In a study published in 2005, women undergoing artificial insemination after having their polyps removed became pregnant at about twice the rate of women who did not have their polyps removed. In fact, the women who had their polyps removed often became pregnant without artificial insemination.

The exact cause of uterine polyps is unknown, but they are sensitive to the hormone estrogen. You may be more likely to develop polyps if you are:

Fewer than 1% of all uterine polyps are associated with cancer.

Your healthcare provider may recommend one of several methods for finding out whether you have uterine polyps:

Examination of tissue under a microscope is the only way to reliably determine whether a polyp is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Hysteroscopy is generally performed using either local or noanesthesia, but general anesthesia is sometimes used as well.

After hysteroscopy, you may experience slight bleeding and mild cramps, but you should be able to resume normal activities right away, with the possible exception of intercourse, which you may need to avoid for a week or two if your healthcare provider advises.

When cancer is found, a hysterectomy may be recommended.

There is no specific method for preventing uterine polyps, although keeping yourself at a healthy weight and watching your blood pressure are the best methods of lessening your risk factors.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nijkang NP, Anderson L, Markham R, Manconi F.Endometrial polyps: Pathogenesis, sequelae and treatment.SAGE Open Med. 2019;7:2050312119848247. doi:10.1177/2050312119848247Al Chami A, Saridogan E.Endometrial polyps and subfertility.J Obstet Gynaecol India.2017;67(1):9-14. doi:10.1007/s13224-016-0929-4Pérez-Medina T, Bajo-Arenas J, Salazar F, Redondo T, Sanfrutos L, Alvarez P, Engels V.Endometrial polyps and their implication in the pregnancy rates of patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: a prospective, randomized study.Hum Reprod. 2005 Jun;20(6):1632-5. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh822Grahn SW, Varma MG.Factors that increase risk of colon polyps.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2008;21(4):247-55. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1089939Haimov-Kochman R, Deri-Hasid R, Hamani Y, Voss E.The natural course of endometrial polyps: could they vanish when left untreated?Fertil Steril. 2009;92(2):828.e11-2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.054Additional Reading"Defining Overweight and Obesity." cdc.gov. 20 Jun. 2008. Centers for Disease Control.“Endometrial Conditions.” frankfordhospitals.org. 2008. Frankford Hospitals.“Endometrial Polyps.” umich.edu. 2006. The University of Michigan.“Hysteroscopy.” stjohnsmercy.org. 2009. St. John’s Mercy Health Care.“Infertility – Uterine Factor.” jonesinstitute.org. 2006. The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine.“Pathology Report: Endometrial Polyps.” cap.org. 1 April 2005. College of American Pathologists.“Sonohysterogram.” dhmc.org. 2009. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.Dreisler, Eva, Soren S. Sorenson, and Gunnar Lose. “Endometrial Polyps and Associated Factors in Danish Women Aged 36-74 Years.” American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 200:2(2008): 147.Giordano, Giovanna, Letizia Gnettia, Carla Merisio, and Mauro Melpignano. “Postmenopausal Status, Hypertension and Obesity as Risk Factors for Malignant Transformation in Endometrial Polyps .” Maturitas 56:2 (2007):190-197.McGurgan, P., L.J. Taylor, S.R. Duffy, and P.J. O’Donovan. “An Immunohistochemical Comparison of Endometrial Polyps From Postmenopausal Women Exposed and Not Exposed to HRT.” Maturitas 53:4 (2006):454-461.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nijkang NP, Anderson L, Markham R, Manconi F.Endometrial polyps: Pathogenesis, sequelae and treatment.SAGE Open Med. 2019;7:2050312119848247. doi:10.1177/2050312119848247Al Chami A, Saridogan E.Endometrial polyps and subfertility.J Obstet Gynaecol India.2017;67(1):9-14. doi:10.1007/s13224-016-0929-4Pérez-Medina T, Bajo-Arenas J, Salazar F, Redondo T, Sanfrutos L, Alvarez P, Engels V.Endometrial polyps and their implication in the pregnancy rates of patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: a prospective, randomized study.Hum Reprod. 2005 Jun;20(6):1632-5. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh822Grahn SW, Varma MG.Factors that increase risk of colon polyps.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2008;21(4):247-55. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1089939Haimov-Kochman R, Deri-Hasid R, Hamani Y, Voss E.The natural course of endometrial polyps: could they vanish when left untreated?Fertil Steril. 2009;92(2):828.e11-2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.054Additional Reading"Defining Overweight and Obesity." cdc.gov. 20 Jun. 2008. Centers for Disease Control.“Endometrial Conditions.” frankfordhospitals.org. 2008. Frankford Hospitals.“Endometrial Polyps.” umich.edu. 2006. The University of Michigan.“Hysteroscopy.” stjohnsmercy.org. 2009. St. John’s Mercy Health Care.“Infertility – Uterine Factor.” jonesinstitute.org. 2006. The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine.“Pathology Report: Endometrial Polyps.” cap.org. 1 April 2005. College of American Pathologists.“Sonohysterogram.” dhmc.org. 2009. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.Dreisler, Eva, Soren S. Sorenson, and Gunnar Lose. “Endometrial Polyps and Associated Factors in Danish Women Aged 36-74 Years.” American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 200:2(2008): 147.Giordano, Giovanna, Letizia Gnettia, Carla Merisio, and Mauro Melpignano. “Postmenopausal Status, Hypertension and Obesity as Risk Factors for Malignant Transformation in Endometrial Polyps .” Maturitas 56:2 (2007):190-197.McGurgan, P., L.J. Taylor, S.R. Duffy, and P.J. O’Donovan. “An Immunohistochemical Comparison of Endometrial Polyps From Postmenopausal Women Exposed and Not Exposed to HRT.” Maturitas 53:4 (2006):454-461.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Nijkang NP, Anderson L, Markham R, Manconi F.Endometrial polyps: Pathogenesis, sequelae and treatment.SAGE Open Med. 2019;7:2050312119848247. doi:10.1177/2050312119848247Al Chami A, Saridogan E.Endometrial polyps and subfertility.J Obstet Gynaecol India.2017;67(1):9-14. doi:10.1007/s13224-016-0929-4Pérez-Medina T, Bajo-Arenas J, Salazar F, Redondo T, Sanfrutos L, Alvarez P, Engels V.Endometrial polyps and their implication in the pregnancy rates of patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: a prospective, randomized study.Hum Reprod. 2005 Jun;20(6):1632-5. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh822Grahn SW, Varma MG.Factors that increase risk of colon polyps.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2008;21(4):247-55. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1089939Haimov-Kochman R, Deri-Hasid R, Hamani Y, Voss E.The natural course of endometrial polyps: could they vanish when left untreated?Fertil Steril. 2009;92(2):828.e11-2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.054

Nijkang NP, Anderson L, Markham R, Manconi F.Endometrial polyps: Pathogenesis, sequelae and treatment.SAGE Open Med. 2019;7:2050312119848247. doi:10.1177/2050312119848247

Al Chami A, Saridogan E.Endometrial polyps and subfertility.J Obstet Gynaecol India.2017;67(1):9-14. doi:10.1007/s13224-016-0929-4

Pérez-Medina T, Bajo-Arenas J, Salazar F, Redondo T, Sanfrutos L, Alvarez P, Engels V.Endometrial polyps and their implication in the pregnancy rates of patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: a prospective, randomized study.Hum Reprod. 2005 Jun;20(6):1632-5. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh822

Grahn SW, Varma MG.Factors that increase risk of colon polyps.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2008;21(4):247-55. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1089939

Haimov-Kochman R, Deri-Hasid R, Hamani Y, Voss E.The natural course of endometrial polyps: could they vanish when left untreated?Fertil Steril. 2009;92(2):828.e11-2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.054

“Defining Overweight and Obesity.” cdc.gov. 20 Jun. 2008. Centers for Disease Control.“Endometrial Conditions.” frankfordhospitals.org. 2008. Frankford Hospitals.“Endometrial Polyps.” umich.edu. 2006. The University of Michigan.“Hysteroscopy.” stjohnsmercy.org. 2009. St. John’s Mercy Health Care.“Infertility – Uterine Factor.” jonesinstitute.org. 2006. The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine.“Pathology Report: Endometrial Polyps.” cap.org. 1 April 2005. College of American Pathologists.“Sonohysterogram.” dhmc.org. 2009. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.Dreisler, Eva, Soren S. Sorenson, and Gunnar Lose. “Endometrial Polyps and Associated Factors in Danish Women Aged 36-74 Years.” American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 200:2(2008): 147.Giordano, Giovanna, Letizia Gnettia, Carla Merisio, and Mauro Melpignano. “Postmenopausal Status, Hypertension and Obesity as Risk Factors for Malignant Transformation in Endometrial Polyps .” Maturitas 56:2 (2007):190-197.McGurgan, P., L.J. Taylor, S.R. Duffy, and P.J. O’Donovan. “An Immunohistochemical Comparison of Endometrial Polyps From Postmenopausal Women Exposed and Not Exposed to HRT.” Maturitas 53:4 (2006):454-461.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?