Uterine polyps are benign outgrowths of the lining of the uterus – the endometrium and the mucous membrane of the cervix.
They can be single and multiple, and depending on the location, they secrete polyps of the cervical canal – when located in the cervix, and endometrial – when located in its body.
CAUSES OF OCCURRENCE
The main cause of uterine polyps is hormonal imbalance, in particular an excess of estrogen and a lack of progesterone.
In addition, the risk factors are:
• Hereditary predisposition,
• endocrine diseases, including diabetes mellitus,
• inflammation of the female genital organs,
• the presence of abortions, complicated labor, curettage in the anamnesis,
• metabolic disorders, including obesity,
• immune deficiency.
classification
Uterine polyps are classified according to the tissue from which they have grown.
With hyperplasia of the glandular cells of the uterus, glandular polyps are formed. If connective tissue is also involved in the process, in addition to glandular cells, then such polyps are called glandular-fibrous. With the growth of only connective tissue- stroma – fibrous polyps arise.
The most dangerous type of polyps are adenomatous – they arise from glandular cells, and during a biopsy, atypical cells are found in their tissue. Such polyps require the fastest treatment.
symptoms
Most often, small single polyps are not felt by a woman in any way and turn out to be a godsend during diagnostic examination. The following complaints may lead to the idea of the presence of polyps:
• infertility,
• painful sexual intercourse or contact spotting after it,
• irregular menstrual cycle with copious discharge,
• white, watery discharge from the vagina.
diagnostics
The main diagnostic methods for determining uterine polyps include:
• Gynecological examination on the chair allows you to identify cervical polyps,
• Hysteroscopy – diagnostic examination of the uterine cavity using a special device – a hysteroscope,
• Ultrasound,
• Metrography is one of the types of X–ray examination, when the uterine cavity is filled with a radiopaque substance through the vagina and cervical canal, and then a series of images is taken, which allows you to determine the nature of the surface of the uterine cavity.
In case of detection of polyps, the doctor is also obliged to do a biopsy – in order not to miss the presence of malignancy of the process.
treatment
When detecting polyps of the body and cervix, treatment must be performed necessarily, since this disease belongs to precancerous. When polyps are detected, the optimal method of treatment is the surgical method. The operation of removing polyps is called polypectomy and is performed under the control of a hysteroscope.
After the operation, it is necessary to monitor the dynamics, since there is a high probability of relapses. In case of repeated occurrence, curettage is performed – curettage of the uterus under general anesthesia, in which the upper layer of the uterine lining is removed.
Before performing surgical treatment, a gynecologist should be consulted, who will exclude the presence of inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, as well as various sexually transmitted infections. If any diseases are detected, they must be treated before surgery to prevent the development of complications. If the presence of sexually transmitted diseases is detected, then both partners should undergo treatment.
After determining the level of sex hormones, oral contraceptives or other hormonal drugs may additionally be prescribed to normalize the ratio of estrogens and progesterones.
PREVENTION
The most important thing for the prevention of the formation of polyps of the body and cervix is the passage of regular examinations by a gynecologist, as well as timely treatment when the above complaints appear. Previously, it was believed that polyps are formed mainly in women aged 35-50 years, however, now the disease is detected both in girls at puberty and in the post-menopausal period. Therefore, preventive examinations are necessary for everyone.
When polyps are detected, dynamic monitoring of their condition should be carried out, as well as timely treatment to prevent malignancy of these formations.
