Endometrial Polyps, Uterine Polyps Specialist, Doctor | Gynecologist Midtown Manhattan NYC

Endometrial Polyps

Endometrial polyps, also known as uterine polyps, are abnormal growths in your endometrium, the lining of your uterus. The excessive growth leads to the formation of polyps. Uterine polyps are more commonly found in women who’ve undergone menopause, although younger women can get them too. You can have just one polyp or many.

Polyps will almost always cause problems with pain or bleeding at some time

Endometrial polyps are attached to the inner wall of your uterus by a thin base or a stalk that connects them to the endometrial lining. Polyps can range in size and shape, from the size of a seed all the way up to the size of a ping-pong ball.

Endometrial polyps irritate the surrounding tissues in your uterus and can cause pain or abnormal bleeding. Most endometrial polyps are benign or noncancerous. A small number can be cancerous or precancerous, however, which is why it’s vital that you have them removed and sent to a lab to be analyzed.  Endometrial polyps should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a physician gynecologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as it may be a symptom or sign of a serious illness or condition.

Checking for Polyps

It’s not unusual to be unaware of uterine polyps; not everyone has symptoms. The most common symptom is unusual or spotty bleeding. With bleeding polyps, you might see:

• Periods that last longer than they should
• Breakthrough bleeding or bleeding when you’re not on your period
• A heavier than normal or excessively heavy flow during your period
• Post-menopausal bleeding
• An inability to get pregnant or infertility
• Spotting
• Pelvic pain or painful periods

Any of these symptoms, especially if you notice them on a regular basis, signal that something can be wrong. Bring them to your doctor’s attention because the sooner you’re checked for uterine polyps, the quicker your OBGYN in New York City can rule out more serious concerns. Your gynecologist Midtown, Dr. Mariz can remove the polyps to reduce the abnormal bleeding you’re experiencing.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of uterine polyps isn’t known, although studies show that hormones impact the formation of polyps, which grow in estrogen-rich areas. Additionally, polyps are often found where the endometrial lining has become overgrown. While causes are not concrete, doctors have identified several possible risk factors, such as if you’re:

• Overweight
• On cancer drugs such as Tamoxifen
• Perimenopausal or postmenopausal
• Have a personal history of endometrial or cervical polyps

Testing for Polyps

Since polyps show so few symptoms, the best way to diagnosis and be treat polyps is for gynecologist Midtown, Dr. Mariz to order some tests. Many of these tests require mild sedation and/or localized anesthesia. All are minimally invasive procedures that leave no scars and require only about 24 hours for recovery.

• Sonohysterography, also known as hysterosonography, uses a tube to push sterile saline into your uterus to aid in the clarity of the images made by a sonogram machine. This test is used to see if there are any polyps or masses in your uterus. There should be very little discomfort with this test, although some women do experience period-like cramping afterward.

The best time to schedule this test is seven to 10 days after your period ends. You shouldn’t be on your period or pregnant during this test. For a day or two after the test, the fluids used will seep out of your vagina throughout the day. Some of it may look a little bloody, but that’s normal.

• Endometrial biopsy is the removal of a very small tissue sample from your endometrium. The endometrial biopsy polyp is scraped out and then sent out for analysis. This is the test that your doctor uses to rule out cancer. It may be required if you are over the age of 35 years old and have abnormal uterine bleeding or if you are at a higher risk of cancer due to a family history of uterine cancer.

At least one in four women will have a polyp at some point in their lives

This procedure may cause some cramping during the test, as well as discharge with small amounts of bleeding after the test. Post-procedure bleeding and cramping is not unusual. Mild pain relievers such as  ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) that don’t promote bleeding help you get through the discomfort.

• Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows the Dr. Mariz to see inside your uterus by using a tiny camera while you comfortably sleep
• A basic pelvic exam may allow your doctor to find polyps, especially if you find a polyp on cervix.
• Pap smear, which is a regular and routine test, may reveal abnormal cells if you have polyps.
• Ultrasound is another test that can detect masses in your uterus. It uses images made through sound waves taken from the outside by rubbing a wand over your abdominal area. This test allows your local OBGYN to check for ovarian abnormalities in addition to uterine polyps.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound does the same thing as an ultrasound, except from inside your vagina, using a vagina probe, rather than a wand on the outside of your abdomen.
• Dilation and curettage (D&C) is where your doctor gently cleans your uterine walls to obtain endometrium samples. At this time, it’s possible to detect a polyp on cervix or polyps in vagina.
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a procedure that uses dye injected into your uterus. X-rays reveal if there are any polyps.

Polyps sometimes come back and they can occur more frequently in people who have had polyps in the past, even if they were removed. It is important to visit your gynecologist regularly, especially if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of polyps.

Further Steps

Sometimes, you may not have to do anything if your polyps are very small and causing no symptoms but this is to be decided by your physician. It’s not unusual for polyps to resolve on their own, where your body re-absorbs them without incident. If, however, they aren’t shrinking on their own or they become pre-cancerous or cancerous, gynecologist Midtown, Dr. Fernando Mariz will have to take measures. Further steps may include:

• Some medications containing hormones, such as progesterone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, might help you with any symptoms you’re experiencing with the polyps. Typically, once you stop taking these drugs, the polyps return. This may be the best treatment if you have endometrial hyperplasia, which is an overgrowth of the cells in the endometrium.
• Often, surgery is the last resort. If your gynecologist Midtown, Dr. Fernando Mariz has ordered a hysteroscopy as a test, removing the polyps found may be performed as part of this minimally invasive procedure. Anything removed during this test is sent to a lab, just as with a biopsy. If the polyps turn out to be precancerous or cancerous, then your OBGYN in NYC will most certainly order them all removed and carefully followed with your physician.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide gynecology guidance, not a definitive medical advice. Please consult ob/gyn doctor about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board-certified gynecologist or certified gynecology specialist can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Have questions about Endometrial Polyps? Schedule an appointment with the top Midtown, New York City Gynecologist, Dr. Fernando Mariz, by contacting our office today.

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