Cervical polyps are a growth of tissue in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Women of any age may have cervical polyps.
Polyps are very rarely cancer, and they seldom develop into cancer of the cervix. However, we can be sure that a polyp is a benign polyp only by removing it and looking at the tissue in the lab.
We do not know why some women develop polyps. They are not related to sexually transmitted diseases and are very rarely related to cancer.
Cervical polyps often do not cause any symptoms. You usually cannot feel or see them. Sometimes they may cause bleeding between menstrual periods, especially after sexual intercourse.
Most cervical polyps are discovered during a pelvic exam or with tests looking for causes of unusual bleeding.
Most polyps need to be removed. Your health care provider will remove the polyp with a small sharp instrument. Your provider may scrape the base of the polyp to make sure all of the polyp is removed. He or she may put a type of paste on the cervix to control any bleeding. The tissue removed will be sent to a lab for tests to make sure it is not cancerous. This procedure can usually be done in your provider's office.
If the polyp is not removed:
After treatment for cervical polyps, you should continue to have a pelvic exam every year. Then, if you develop another polyp, your health care provider can take care of it.
Tell your provider if you have bleeding after intercourse.
There is no known way to prevent polyps.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File WOM5214F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
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