Knowing what to expect after uterine polyp removal can help avoid anxiety relating to the procedure. Most people may go home soon after it is complete.

Healthcare professionals consider the procedure that removes uterine polyps safe, but it is common to experience spotting and discomfort afterward.

Uterine polyps are growths that occur in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus.

Keep reading to learn what happens after uterine polyp removal, including the recovery timeline, potential complications, weight loss effect, whether the polyps come back, and when to contact a doctor.

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The standard method of polyp removal is a procedure called hysteroscopy. This involves inserting a lighted tube into the vagina so the doctor can look inside the uterus. If the hysteroscopy shows an atypical growth, the doctor can remove it during the procedure and take a tissue sample to send to a lab for microscopic examination.

Most people tolerate the procedure well and can go home soon after its completion. While recommendations for recovery following the procedure vary between doctors, some state that people may resume their daily activities in 24 hours. Before discharge, the healthcare team will make a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of the tissue examination.

Learn about uterine polyps.

Overall, hysteroscopy is safe. However, side effects of discomfort and spotting afterward are common.

Additionally, the procedure could cause complications. According to 2020 research, although they are serious, they occur at a low rate. These complications include the below.

Uterine perforation

This refers to a breakage or hole in the uterus. It is the most common complication, as it occurs in up to 1.7% or less of cases. Several factors may increase the risk, such as a previous cesarean section or having given birth several times.

Fluid overload

During a hysteroscopy, a doctor may inject a gas or liquid into the uterus to expand it for a better view. Research indicates that if there is excess fluid absorption, it can lead to swelling in the lungs, neurological difficulties, and death. Additionally, the use of a certain type of fluid may result in low levels of sodium in the blood and swelling in the brain.

However, there are preventive measures doctors can take to minimize this risk.

Embolism

If a doctor injects the gas carbon dioxide into the uterus, it may result in an air embolism, which is an obstruction in a blood vessel. When this occurs, it has the potential to cause heart failure and death.

A 2018 review reports that the incidence of fatal and nonfatal air embolisms can range from 10% to 50% with the use of gas in a hysteroscopy.

Can uterine polyps grow back?

Uterine polyps can grow back after a removal procedure. The recurrence rate is approximately 2.5 to 3.7%.

Alan Lindemann, MD, an obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, told Medical News Today that uterine polyp removal does not cause weight loss.

“Because most of these polyps are about the size of a pencil eraser, they are usually too small to make a significant weight change,” he says. “This is in contrast with some types of growths in the female genital tract — such as ovarian tumors — that can weigh considerably more.”

Learn more about weight loss and uterine polyp removal.

A person with symptoms of uterine polyps needs to contact a healthcare professional. These symptoms include the most common, which is atypical bleeding from the uterus that exits the body via the vagina. Other symptoms may involve:

  • pelvic pain
  • abdominal pain
  • infertility

If the polyps are very small, a healthcare professional may monitor them, and they may disappear on their own without treatment. Monitoring can let the healthcare professional know when or if removal becomes necessary, which is advantageous because removing the polyps before they become large is best.

Additionally, since noncancerous polyps can be present in people with endometrial cancer, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a diagnosis of any possible growths.

If a person knows what to expect after uterine polyp removal, they may be less likely to feel anxious about it. Most individuals may return home following the completion of the procedure, and some doctors state they can resume their daily activities in 24 hours.

Spotting and discomfort are common side effects. Although polyp removal is safe, the procedure could cause complications, such as uterine perforation. Sometimes, uterine polyps recur after removal.

People who have atypical bleeding from the uterus need to contact a healthcare professional.