Table of Contents
- Summary
- What Are Endometrial Polyps?
- How Are Polyps Diagnosed?
- Are Endometrial Polyps Cancerous?
- Symptoms of Endometrial Polyps
- Risk Factors for Endometrial Polyps
- Keeping Your Healthcare in Check
Summary:
- Endometrial polyps are small, soft growths that develop from the endometrial lining of the uterus and extend into the uterine cavity, often likened to “skin tags.”
- Affecting up to 35% of women, endometrial polyps are frequently undiagnosed due to a lack of symptoms and are sometimes discovered incidentally during pelvic ultrasounds for unrelated issues.
- Approximately 90% of endometrial polyps are benign, but some may contain precancerous or cancerous cells, with a malignancy risk ranging from 0–12%. This can be influenced by age, polyp size, and Tamoxifen use.
- While most polyps are asymptomatic, some do include symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or difficulties conceiving in women of reproductive age.
Endometrial polyps are small growths that develop within the uterine lining and extend into the uterine cavity, affecting up to 35% of women. While most polyps are benign, a small percentage may contain precancerous or cancerous cells, with the risk increasing based on factors such as age, symptoms, and medication history.
Though certain factors may increase susceptibility to polyps, they can develop in individuals without any known risks.
What Are Endometrial Polyps?
Endometrial polyps are growths of the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, that extend into the uterine cavity. Often likened to “skin tags” in the uterus, these polyps are small, soft overgrowths of tissue.
How Are Polyps Diagnosed?
Endometrial polyps are relatively common, affecting up to 35% of women—though this number may be underestimated, as many cases go undiagnosed due to a lack of symptoms.
Endometrial polyps are sometimes diagnosed incidentally during pelvic ultrasounds performed for unrelated reasons.
Are Endometrial Polyps Cancerous?
Most endometrial polyps (around 90%) are benign. However, some may contain precancerous or cancerous cells, with the risk of malignancy ranging from 0–12% depending on the patient population.
Factors that increase the likelihood of cancerous polyps include:
- Older age
- Presence of symptoms
- Larger polyp size
- History of Tamoxifen use
Symptoms of Endometrial Polyps
Most endometrial polyps do not cause symptoms and are unlikely to be associated with pelvic pain, pressure, bloating, or bowel and bladder issues.
For those who do experience symptoms, the most common is abnormal vaginal bleeding. In women of reproductive age, endometrial polyps may also contribute to difficulty conceiving.
Risk Factors for Endometrial Polyps
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing endometrial polyps.
These factors can include:
- Advancing age
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Use of Tamoxifen (a medication used in breast cancer treatment)
However, many individuals without these risk factors may still develop endometrial polyps.
Keeping Your Healthcare in Check
Endometrial polyps are non-cancerous growths in the uterine lining that commonly go undetected due to a lack of symptoms. Often discovered incidentally during pelvic ultrasounds, they affect up to 35% of women, although many cases may go undiagnosed.
While most polyps are benign, some carry a low risk of malignancy, with factors like age, symptoms, size, and Tamoxifen use increasing this risk. Symptoms, when present, often include abnormal vaginal bleeding and, for some, challenges with conception.
Speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding endometrial polyps and find a treatment plan that works for you.
