Key takeaways

  • A cervical polyp is a growth that develops on the cervix, which is the canal connecting the uterus to the vagina. Sperm must pass through this canal to fertilize an egg.
  • Cervical polyps are tumors, but they are usually benign (noncancerous). Symptoms may include irregular vaginal discharge or bleeding. Some people experience no symptoms.
  • Treatment for cervical polyps may involve surgical removal of the polyps. However, this may only be necessary if the polyps are large, could indicate cancer, or cause symptoms.

Since polyps have a similar appearance to some signs of cancer, it is essential that a doctor checks them to ensure that they are not cancerous.

Cervical polyps can grow either as singular masses or in clusters. They vary in size but are usually less than 3 centimeters (cm) long.

People may be more likely to develop cervical polyps after starting menstruation, if they have given birth to more than one child, or if they have higher estrogen levels during pregnancy.

Polyps can vary in color from a gray, almost-white color to bright red or purple. They can grow to different sizes and look like bulbs growing on stems.

Two different types of polyps can develop on the cervix:

  • Ectocervical polyps: Postmenopausal people are more likely to have these polyps, which grow on the cells in the outer surface layer of the cervix.
  • Endocervical polyps: More common overall, endocervical polyps grow from cervical glands inside the cervical canal. This type of polyp is more likely to affect people who are premenopausal.

It is unclear why some people develop cervical polyps, although the causes may include the body responding atypically to estrogen.

Other causes may include:

Estrogen is a sex hormone, and its levels will rise and fall throughout a person’s life. For example, estrogen levels will rise during pregnancy.

It is also possible for chemical estrogens in products such as cosmetics to affect estrogen levels.

Inflammation of the cervix may occur due to many reasons, including:

It is rare for people who have not yet started menstruating to develop cervical polyps.

It is possible for someone to develop cervical polyps and not experience any symptoms.

Others will notice symptoms, which may include:

If people experience any symptoms of cervical polyps, it is a good idea to make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible. While these can be signs of cervical polyps, they could also indicate cancer.

The diagnosis of most cervical polyps takes place during routine pelvic examinations or Pap smear tests.

If polyps are present, a doctor may wish to remove them. The doctor may also take tissue samples, called biopsies, of the polyps to check whether they are cancerous or benign.

Most cervical polyps are benign and possible to remove surgically.

Treatment may not be necessary if the polyps are not causing any symptoms or discomfort, but a doctor will continue to monitor the polyps closely. They may only remove symptomatic, large, or irregular polyps.

There are different methods for surgically removing polyps. These might involve a doctor:

  • using polyp forceps to take hold of the polyp and pull it out gently
  • tying surgical string around the polyp before cutting it out
  • twisting the polyp at its base and pulling it off

The doctor will then use liquid nitrogen, laser surgery, or electrocautery ablation to destroy the base of the polyp.

For very large polyps, surgical removal may occur in an operating room at a hospital under local, regional, or general anesthesia.

After the removal of a polyp, the individual may experience some bleeding and cramping. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers may help reduce the discomfort.

The polyp or polyps will need testing to check for cancer. If a polyp is cancerous, further treatment will be necessary. The treatment will depend on the type and extent of cancer.

Sometimes, cervical polyps may come away from the cervix on their own. This can happen during menstruation or sexual intercourse.

What is the recovery like?

People may feel mild pain and discomfort during the removal of the polyps. However, once the procedure is over, they will be able to go home and treat any cramping or pain with OTC pain relievers.

Even if the surgery takes place in a hospital under anesthesia, the individual should still be able to go home on the same day.

Doctors recommend that people abstain from sexual intercourse following surgery until the bleeding stops.

The outlook for people who have had surgical polyp removal is favorable. The typical recurrence rate for cervical polyps after surgical removal is around 6.2%, although figures may be inaccurate due to follow-up attendance.

Someone who has developed cervical polyps in the past may have a higher risk of developing them again. Therefore, they should have routine pelvic examinations to check for new growths.

It is not always possible to prevent cervical polyps. However, people may be able to take the following steps to reduce their risk:

  • Attend regular pelvic examinations and Pap smear tests so doctors can catch any polyps and treat them early on.
  • Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of STIs.
  • Practice proper hygiene to reduce the risk of genital infections.

Cervical polyps are benign growths that can occur due to an irregular response to estrogen, infections, and other factors. In some cases, there may be no apparent underlying cause.

Surgical removal may be necessary for some polyps. However, doctors may only choose to remove polyps that are large or irregular, or ones that cause symptoms.

Most people only discover that they have cervical polyps during routine examinations, so it is important to attend check-ups and maintain contact with healthcare professionals.