This is a bulb of tissue that grows on the inner wall of your womb. It may be attached to your womb by a stalk or a thick base. You can have one or more polyps, and they can be small or large. Most aren't cancerous, but they can cause problems. So when we find them, we may want to remove them.
Why do polyps form? Well, we don't know the exact cause. They're linked to your estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in reproduction. When estrogen levels are high, polyps are more likely. Your risk for polyps is higher as you get older. Obesity, high blood pressure and breast cancer treatment can raise your risk, too. Ask your doctor for a full list of risk factors.
What are the symptoms? You can have one or more polyps without any symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, you may have things like heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding. You may bleed between periods. And you may have trouble getting or staying pregnant.
How do we diagnose them? We can find uterine polyps with ultrasound. Or, we may guide a viewing device, called a "hysteroscope," into your womb. This procedure is called "hysteroscopy."
How do we treat polyps? Often, we remove them during a hysteroscopy. But if you have small polyps that aren't causing problems, we may recommend leaving them alone. We'll watch them closely over time and treat them if we see an issue. Your doctor will create a plan that's right for you.