Irregular periods, miscarriage, or infertility could be a sign that you have uterine polyps. These soft growths are found inside your uterus, and while they’re generally harmless, they can cause a number of negative side effects. For expert diagnosis and treatment for uterine polyps, visit Lauren Rubal, MD, at her office in Newport Beach, California. Dr. Rubal is a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and she’s dedicated to offering women of all ages personalized treatment that works for them. Book online or call the office for an appointment.
Uterine polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that form inside your uterus. Also known as endometrial polyps, they develop from endometrial tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. A polyp forms when the endometrium grows excessively.
Uterine polyps can range in size and number. Some are as small as a seed, while others can be the size of a golf ball. Some women have only one polyp while others might have a lot of polyps at once.
Any woman can get uterine polyps, but certain risk factors may make it more likely that you’ll develop them. Women between the ages of 40 and 50 are at the highest risk for developing polyps.
Additional risk factors include being overweight, having high blood pressure, or taking the breast cancer drug, tamoxifen.
Many women with uterine polyps don’t know they have them, because they don’t always have symptoms. If uterine polyps do produce symptoms, the most common signs are:
The most common symptom of uterine polyps is abnormal menstruation. But if you don’t have any noticeable symptoms, you might only get a diagnosis when seeking treatment for other health conditions, such as infertility.
While uterine polyps don’t always cause infertility, they can make it harder to conceive and stay pregnant for some women. The size, number, and location of your polyps affect fertility.
Some research indicates that the presence of polyps irritates the endometrium, which makes it harder for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterine lining. If you’re having trouble conceiving, Dr. Rubal can help you determine if uterine polyps could be the cause.
Dr. Rubal regularly performs transvaginal ultrasounds to assess the presence of uterine polyps. Ultrasound technology allows her to see an image inside your uterus and identify any polyps.
Along with the ultrasound, she talks with you about your symptoms and menstrual cycle history to help identify potential causes.
For small polyps that aren’t accompanied by negative symptoms, Dr. Rubal might recommend watchful waiting. For larger polyps or polyps that affect your fertility, hormonal medication or surgical removal might be a good option for you. Seeking treatment for uterine polyps is often effective at relieving symptoms.
Uterine polyps are often painless, but in some cases, they can bring negative side effects and infertility. For comprehensive reproductive endocrinology care, schedule your first appointment with Dr. Rubal by phone or online today.
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