Cervical polyps are tumors that develop in the cervix and are often asymptomatic. The shape is elongated with brittle structures that grow from the surface of the cervix or the inside of the cervical canal. Although some cervical cancers initially look like polyps, cervical polyps are generally benign and do not contain cancer cells.
The cervix or cervix is a narrow channel under the uterus that extends to the vagina. This part connects the upper part of the vagina with the cervical canal, which serves as the entrance of sperm to fertilize the egg so that pregnancy occurs.
The cause of cervical polyps is not completely known. Apart from infection, this condition can also be triggered by chronic inflammation, an abnormal response to the hormone estrogen, or by blockage of blood vessels around the cervix. In addition, most people experience one, two or at most three polyps, ranging in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Most people with cervical polyps experience no symptoms. This condition is generally only known at the time of examination in the cervix or pap smear. While in a small proportion of people with cervical polyps, symptoms that can appear include:
- Postmenopausal bleeding or between menstrual periods.
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse.
- Menstruation with more volume than usual.
- White or yellow vaginal discharge that may smell due to infection.
As a precaution, consult a doctor if you experience one or more of the above symptoms. Usually, this condition is most often experienced by pregnant women over 20 years who have more than one child, women who are pregnant, and experienced when there is an increase in the hormone estrogen.
When checking, if there are polyps, you will see a bulge or tumor resembling a red or purple finger. Polyp tissue can be taken through a biopsy and then examined in the laboratory, if needed. Biopsy examination is needed to ensure that polyps are not caused by malignancy.
To stop bleeding, polyps are usually removed with special forceps during pelvic examination / examination in the cervix. The choice of liquid nitrogen or laser surgery can also be done, depending on the condition of the polyp.
Large cervical polyps may need to be removed by electrocautery (the process of cutting using a needle that has been heated using electricity) or by surgery. After that, the removed polyp tissue is sent to the laboratory for examination. After removal of cervical polyps, the patient may experience slight cramps or bleeding. This removal is generally a mild procedure that does not require pain medication. But if the pain is felt severe enough, you can use painkillers such as paracetamol.
Cervical polyps usually do not need to be removed if they are not very large and do not cause bleeding or annoying complaints. Sometimes, these cervical polyps can decay by themselves during sexual intercourse or menstruation.
Cervical polyps generally do not reappear after removal. However, to anticipate early cervical polyps or the possibility of polyps returning after removal, the doctor will recommend regular cervical examinations and Pap smears, depending on the patient's medical history and age.
In order to detect early and treat early, examinations in the cervix and Pap smear are recommended on:
- Women aged 21-29 years, every 3 years.
- Women aged 30-65 years, every 3-5 years.
Women over 65 years old who have routinely done this examination, and no abnormalities have been obtained in the last 20 years do not need to get routine checks. In addition, of course the examination schedule and additional examination recommendations will be adjusted from the results obtained and according to doctor's recommendations.
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