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Cervical Polyps: What you should know.

Cervical polyps are not uncommon. We present to you, a patient-centred article about the abnormal swellings we can find on the cervix. We call them cervical polyps. There’s a brochure that is available for download, from Ferri’s Netter patient advisor, a 3rd edition. You can buy yourself a copy here. Let’s get this started. 

Introduction 

The cervix is at the end of the uterus. It looks like a button with a narrow opening that leads into the uterus. 

Cervical polyps are soft, finger-like growths of tissue that usually start to grow from inside the cervical canal. They hang from a stalk and often push through the opening.

Cervical polyps are common, especially in women older than 20 who have had children. Almost all are benign (not cancerous). They aren’t contagious and seldom grow back. There are no specific ways to prevent them. 

Causes 

We believe that cervical polyps grow due to inflammation with cervical infections highly suspected to be the cause of this inflammation. 

Read this article:

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Symptoms 

Many cervical polyps don’t cause any symptoms. However, abnormal spotting or bleeding after sex or intense bleeding during periods may occur. You can experience abnormal discharge from the vagina. Polyps don’t cause pain or discomfort. 

Diagnosis

 They are found incidentally during a gynecologic examination when doing a Pap smear test. 

Treatment 

Cervical polyps removal is an outpatient procedure. No anaesthesia or pain medications are needed. The polyp is held and twisted off gently or taken off with a biopsy tool. The process takes a few minutes and usually painless. Some mild cramping may occur following the procedure. The cervical polyp is sent to the laboratory to make sure that there are no signs of cancer. 

Cervical polyps are benign growths of the cervix.

DOs and DON’Ts in managing cervical polyps

  • Do keep your doctor’s appointment to have the polyp removed. Much as the majority of the polyps are benign: cancerous polyps do occur at times.
  • Continue with your usual daily activities after the removal of the polyps, but avoid sexual intercourse until the follow-up visit with your health care provider.
  • Do call your health care provider if you have vaginal bleeding after menopause, between periods, or after having resumed sex.
  • Do call your health care provider if you have long or unusually heavy periods.
  • Don’t have sex until the doctor removes the polyp if you have had bleeding after sex and were diagnosed with a polyp.

Download the brochure here: don’t forget to share this article to increase awareness.  

 

IAmDrSsekandi

MBChB (MUK), Graduate Fellow, Department of Physiology, Makerere University Founder and Content Creator Peer reviewer, Associate Editor

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