Why Do Endometrial Polyps Occur?

The uterus is a complex organ consisting of three types of tissue. Outside, it is covered with a serous membrane, the middle layer is muscular, and the uterine cavity is lined with endometrium from the inside. In some cases, outgrowths of endometrial polyps can form inside the uterine cavity, on the surface of the mucous membrane.

These can be both single elements and multiple formations, ranging in size from a few millimeters to 2-3 cm or more. Their presence can affect the volume of menstrual flow and provoke infertility but rarely leads to cancer since an endometrial polyp is not prone to degeneration into a tumor.

Types of Endometrial Polyps

Based on the morphological structure and how the polyp looks, gynecologists distinguish several classification options. These are:

• Glandular polyps formed by endometrial tissue containing glands. They are typical for young women.
• Adenomatous formations consist of glandular epithelium but have signs of proliferation and restructuring. The most dangerous of all requires constant supervision.
• Glandular-fibrous are represented by glandular and stromal (connective) tissue. Typical for women in adulthood;
• Fibrous polyps predominantly have dense fibrous tissue with single glands in their structure. They are typical for women over 40 years old;
• Separately, it is worth highlighting placental polyps, formed by fragments of an incompletely removed placenta after childbirth or miscarriage, missed pregnancy, or abortion. They are characterized by prolonged bleeding with large blood loss, infections, inflammation of the uterus, and infertility.

The Causes of Endometrial Polyps in the Uterus

It is not completely known what causes polyposis formations in the uterus. The main role is assigned to inflammatory processes affecting the endometrium and neurohormonal influence. It has been found that endometrial polyps often develop in the presence of hormonal disorders in the ovaries, excess estrogen. This leads to the formation of foci of excessive growth of the endometrium, and the formation of polyposis elements in the area of the mucous membranes. In addition, excess estrogen can stimulate the development of fibroids in the uterus, mastopathy, adenomyosis, and polycystic ovaries.

Provoking factors of polyps in the uterus can be the following:

• Inflammatory processes in the uterus, appendages, and small pelvis.
• Trauma to the endometrium during abortion or diagnostic curettage.
• Prolonged usage of the spiral.
• Sexual infections of a chronic nature.
• Obesity and high blood pressure.
• Thyroid pathology.
• Diabetes.
• Immune disorders.
• Mental illnesses.

But the exact cause of the development of polyps can not always be determined.

The Symptoms of a Polyp in the Uterus

Among the main symptoms of an endometrial polyp, regardless of their histological structure, a number of typical manifestations can be distinguished. If the polyp is single and small in size, and grows slowly, it does not manifest itself in any way. As a certain size is reached, uterine bleeding may occur. They can be in two versions:

• Cyclic, correlated with the phases of menstruation;
• Acyclic, unconnected.

In addition, the presence of menorrhagia is possible – these are abundant painful menstruations, which are accompanied by ichor before and after menstruation, spotting during the cycle, and after sex. Women in menopause may have breakthrough bleeding. The problem occurs due to blood loss, which leads to the formation of anemia, pallor, weakness, fainting, and dizziness

If the polyp is large, it can provoke the appearance of copious discharge, soreness during sex, pulling pains in the lower abdomen, and discomfort. The presence of polyps provokes infertility since they interfere with the implantation of the embryo. During pregnancy, there is a higher risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

Signs of uterine polyps are in many ways similar to the symptoms of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pregnancy with a risk of miscarriage, so it is important that a gynecologist makes an accurate diagnosis after the examination.