Cervical Polyps

What are cervical polyps?

Cervical polyps are a growth of tissue on 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.

How do they occur?

We do not know why some women develop polyps. They are not related to sexually transmitted diseases and are very rarely related to cancer.

What are the symptoms?

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.

How are they diagnosed?

Most cervical polyps are discovered during a pelvic exam or with tests looking for causes of unusual bleeding.

What is the treatment?

Most polyps need to be removed. Your healthcare provider will remove the polyp with a small sharp instrument. Your provider may scrape the base of the polyp to make sure the entire 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.

How long will the effects last?

If the polyp is not removed:

• It may keep growing.
• It may cause bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse.
• It may make it harder for you to get pregnant.

How can I take care of myself?

After treatment for cervical polyps, you should continue to have a pelvic exam every year. Then, if you develop another polyp, your healthcare provider can take care of it.

Tell your provider if you have bleeding after intercourse.

How can I prevent cervical polyps?

There is no known way to prevent polyps.