Polyps

Small growths which are usually benign (non-cancerous) which can be found around the body.

This page will cover cervical and uterine polyps.

Cervical Polyp

A cervical polyp is a non-cancerous growth (benign) on the neck of your womb (cervix).

Many women with cervical polyps are asymptomatic (they do not experience any symptoms).

However some women have reported having the following symptoms:

Cervical polyps are usually found incidentally during a smear test (aka. Pap smear or Pap test) or pelvic examination.

Your doctor may refer you to a gynaecologist for further inspection of the cervix and womb to make sure that there are no other polyps.

They will then remove the polyps.

Once the polyps have been removed, they will be sent to the laboratory for examination to ensure that they are not cancerous.

If the polyps are large, you may need to have surgery to remove them.

Your doctor may remove them at your appointment.

A uterine polyp is a non-cancerous growth (benign) on the lining of the womb (endometrium).

Uterine polyps are also known as endometrial polyps.

As with cervical polyps, most women with uterine polyps are asymptomatic.

However uterine polyps can cause the following symptoms:

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should see your doctor.

Your doctor will take a history and examine you.

They will most likely refer you to a gynaecologist for further tests.

The gynaecologist will do a transvaginal ultrasound scan.

A probe is inserted through the vagina to look at the ovaries and womb.

The gynaecologist may also perform a hysteroscopy.

This is a quick procedure which uses a small and specialised telescope with a camera attached (hysteroscope) to inspect the inside of the womb.

If any polyps are found, they will then remove the polyps (endometrial polypectomy).

Once the polyps have been removed, they will be sent to the laboratory for examination to ensure that they are not cancerous.