BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEndometrial polypsUterine polyps; Uterine bleeding - polyps; Vaginal bleeding - polypsThe endometrium is the lining of the inside of the womb (uterus). Overgrowth of this lining can create polyps. Polyps are fingerlike growths that attach to the wall of the uterus. They can be as small as a sesame seed or larger than a golf ball. There may be just one or many polyps. Causes The exact cause of endometrial polyps in women is not known. They tend to grow when there is more of the hormone estrogen in the body.Most endometrial polyps are not cancerous but they can be cancerous or precancerous. The chance of cancer is higher if you are postmenopausal, on tamoxifen, or have heavy or irregular periods.Other factors that may increase the risk for endometrial polyps are:Obesity ObesityObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, i...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tamoxifen, a treatment for breast cancer Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy Family history of Lynch syndrome or Cowden syndrome (genetic conditions that run in families)Endometrial polyps are common in women between 20 to 40 years of age. Symptoms You may not have any symptoms of endometrial polyps. If you do have symptoms, they may include:Menstrual bleeding that is not regular or predictable Long or heavy menstrual bleeding Bleeding between periods Bleeding between periodsThis article discusses vaginal bleeding that occurs between a woman's monthly menstrual periods. Such bleeding may be called "intermenstrual bleedin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding from the vagina after menopause Trouble getting or staying pregnant (infertility)InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider may perform these tests to find out if you have endometrial polyps:Transvaginal ultrasound Transvaginal ultrasoundTransvaginal ultrasound is a test used to look at a woman's uterus, ovaries, tubes, cervix and pelvic area. Transvaginal means across or through the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hysteroscopy HysteroscopyHysteroscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the womb (uterus). Your health care provider can look at the:Opening to the womb (cervix)Inside...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Endometrial biopsy Endometrial biopsyEndometrial biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hysterosonogram: a specialized type of ultrasound in which fluid is put into the uterine cavity while an ultrasound is performed Three-dimensional ultrasound Treatment Many polyps should be removed because of the small risk for cancer.Endometrial polyps are most often removed by a procedure called hysteroscopy. Sometimes, a D and C procedure (Dilation and Curettage) can be done to biopsy the endometrium and remove the polyp. This is less commonly used.D and CD and C (dilation and curettage) is a procedure to scrape and collect the tissue (endometrium) from inside the uterus. Dilation (D) is a widening of ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Postmenopausal women who have polyps that are not causing symptoms may also consider watchful waiting. However, the polyp should be removed if it is causing vaginal bleeding. Outlook (Prognosis) In rare cases, polyps can return after treatment. Possible Complications Endometrial polyps may make it hard to get or stay pregnant. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have:Menstrual bleeding that is not regular or predictable Long or heavy menstrual bleeding Bleeding between periods Bleeding from the vagina after menopause Prevention You cannot prevent endometrial polyps.Open ReferencesReferencesBulun SE. Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive axis. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.Dolan MS, Hill CC, Valea FA. Benign gynecologic lesions: vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary, ultrasound imaging of pelvic structures. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.Gilks B. Uterus: corpus. In: Goldblum JR, Lamps LW, McKenney JK, Myers JL, eds. Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 33.AllVideoImagesTog Tests for Endometrial polyps Endometrial biopsyRelated Information Review Date: 11/10/2022 Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Endometrial polypsUterine polyps; Uterine bleeding - polyps; Vaginal bleeding - polypsThe endometrium is the lining of the inside of the womb (uterus). Overgrowth of this lining can create polyps. Polyps are fingerlike growths that attach to the wall of the uterus. They can be as small as a sesame seed or larger than a golf ball. There may be just one or many polyps. Causes The exact cause of endometrial polyps in women is not known. They tend to grow when there is more of the hormone estrogen in the body.Most endometrial polyps are not cancerous but they can be cancerous or precancerous. The chance of cancer is higher if you are postmenopausal, on tamoxifen, or have heavy or irregular periods.Other factors that may increase the risk for endometrial polyps are:Obesity ObesityObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, i...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tamoxifen, a treatment for breast cancer Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy Family history of Lynch syndrome or Cowden syndrome (genetic conditions that run in families)Endometrial polyps are common in women between 20 to 40 years of age. Symptoms You may not have any symptoms of endometrial polyps. If you do have symptoms, they may include:Menstrual bleeding that is not regular or predictable Long or heavy menstrual bleeding Bleeding between periods Bleeding between periodsThis article discusses vaginal bleeding that occurs between a woman's monthly menstrual periods. Such bleeding may be called "intermenstrual bleedin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding from the vagina after menopause Trouble getting or staying pregnant (infertility)InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider may perform these tests to find out if you have endometrial polyps:Transvaginal ultrasound Transvaginal ultrasoundTransvaginal ultrasound is a test used to look at a woman's uterus, ovaries, tubes, cervix and pelvic area. Transvaginal means across or through the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hysteroscopy HysteroscopyHysteroscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the womb (uterus). Your health care provider can look at the:Opening to the womb (cervix)Inside...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Endometrial biopsy Endometrial biopsyEndometrial biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hysterosonogram: a specialized type of ultrasound in which fluid is put into the uterine cavity while an ultrasound is performed Three-dimensional ultrasound Treatment Many polyps should be removed because of the small risk for cancer.Endometrial polyps are most often removed by a procedure called hysteroscopy. Sometimes, a D and C procedure (Dilation and Curettage) can be done to biopsy the endometrium and remove the polyp. This is less commonly used.D and CD and C (dilation and curettage) is a procedure to scrape and collect the tissue (endometrium) from inside the uterus. Dilation (D) is a widening of ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Postmenopausal women who have polyps that are not causing symptoms may also consider watchful waiting. However, the polyp should be removed if it is causing vaginal bleeding. Outlook (Prognosis) In rare cases, polyps can return after treatment. Possible Complications Endometrial polyps may make it hard to get or stay pregnant. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have:Menstrual bleeding that is not regular or predictable Long or heavy menstrual bleeding Bleeding between periods Bleeding from the vagina after menopause Prevention You cannot prevent endometrial polyps.Open ReferencesReferencesBulun SE. Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive axis. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.Dolan MS, Hill CC, Valea FA. Benign gynecologic lesions: vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, oviduct, ovary, ultrasound imaging of pelvic structures. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.Gilks B. Uterus: corpus. In: Goldblum JR, Lamps LW, McKenney JK, Myers JL, eds. Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 33.