Understanding Uterine Polyps
Uterine polyps (also known as endometrial polyps) are small, soft, bulbous growths that attach to the inner lining of the uterine cavity. They develop when there is a localized overgrowth of endometrial tissue, often driven by fluctuating levels of the hormone estrogen. While many polyps are under the size of a sesame seed, some can grow to the size of a golf ball or develop in clusters.
The vast majority of uterine polyps are entirely benign (non-cancerous). However, because they are highly vascular and sit directly within the uterine lining, they can cause unpredictable bleeding, heavy periods, and fertility challenges. At Miami Women’s Center, we provide ultra-precise diagnostic visualization and advanced, no-incision removal techniques to quickly eliminate polyps, stop abnormal bleeding, and protect your reproductive health.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions About Uterine Polyps & Removal
What are the most common symptoms of uterine polyps?
While some polyps are completely silent and only found during routine fertility evaluations, most symptomatic polyps trigger abnormal uterine bleeding:
- Irregular bleeding or spotting between your normal menstrual periods
- Abnormally heavy menstrual flows (menorrhagia)
- Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse
- Unpredictable spotting or bleeding in postmenopausal women
- Difficulty getting pregnant (infertility) or a history of recurrent miscarriages
How are uterine polyps diagnosed?
Standard pelvic exams cannot detect polyps since they are hidden deep inside the uterus. At Miami Women’s Center, we identify them using advanced diagnostic imaging:
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: High-resolution sound waves create early images of the uterine interior, showing an abnormally thickened lining or a suspected mass.
- Saline Infusion Sonography (Sonohysterogram): A small amount of sterile saline is gently channeled into the uterus during an ultrasound. The fluid expands the uterine walls slightly, perfectly outlining the exact size and location of the polyps.
- Diagnostic Hysteroscopy: Inserting a tiny, lighted camera directly into the uterine cavity for immediate visual confirmation.
How are uterine polyps removed?
The gold standard for removing these growths is an outpatient procedure called a Hysteroscopic Polypectomy. Your surgeon slides a slender, lighted telescope (a hysteroscope) through your natural vaginal and cervical pathways into the uterus. Because this approach navigates entirely through natural openings, there are absolutely no skin cuts or external abdominal incisions.
The surgeon passes a microscopic surgical loop or a specialized tissue-reversal device through the scope to cleanly snip or shave the polyp away at its stalk, fully preserving the surrounding healthy uterine tissue.
Do uterine polyps need to be removed if they aren’t causing pain?
Yes, in most clinical scenarios. While small, asymptomatic polyps in premenopausal women can occasionally be monitored, our clinical team strongly recommends removal if the polyps are causing bleeding, are larger than 1 centimeter, or if you are actively trying to conceive. Furthermore, any polyp discovered in a postmenopausal woman must be removed and biopsied to fully rule out a rare precancerous condition or uterine malignancy (endometrial cancer).
What is the recovery process like after a polypectomy?
Because a hysteroscopic polypectomy requires no abdominal incisions, the recovery is remarkably fast. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you will return home the same day. For the first 24 to 48 hours, you may experience mild, period-like uterine cramping and light spotting. Most women can comfortably return to office work, driving, and light daily activities within 1 to 2 days. To ensure the uterine lining heals perfectly, you will simply be advised to avoid sexual intercourse, tampons, and douching for up to one week following the procedure.
What to Expect During a Hysteroscopic Polypectomy
At Miami Women’s Center, we provide a streamlined, supportive surgical environment designed around your absolute comfort and safety:
- Tailored Comfort Control: The procedure can be performed comfortably under light intravenous (IV) sedation or a local paracervical block, depending on your preferences and medical history.
- Precision Tissue Extraction: Utilizing modern tissue-removal systems that cleanly capture and extract the polyp sample whole. This ensures a complete, pristine specimen is sent to our pathology laboratory for definitive confirmation.
- Rapid Healing Cycle: Patients recover briefly in our post-anesthesia suite and are discharged to a trusted companion within hours, experiencing minimal post-operative restrictions.