What are Polyps in the Uterus?

Uterine polyps, polyps in uterus or endometrial polyps are tissue over growths in the endometrium, the inner layer of the uterus responsible for menstruation. During menstruation, the endometrium sloughs off and become menses. After it, the endometrium proliferates in preparation for possible pregnancy. When the endometrium over proliferates, it may cause the development of uterine polyps. These over growths are small, round, bulb-shaped outgrowth from the endometrium and are attached to the womb by a stalk. Uterine polyps are soft in contrast to uterine fibroids which are hard and bigger.

Uterine polyps are usually asymptomatic, however, when symptoms appear, these are similar to the symptoms of endometrial cancer, a more serious condition. Uterine polyps are generally benign, but less than one percent of cases are associated with uterine malignancy.

Most women had experienced uterine polyp for some time, but has resolved spontaneously. Uterine polyp is considered a mild condition and some patients are even asymptomatic, which makes them unaware of the uterine polyp. Uterine polyps commonly grow during the pre and post menopausal age.

Picture – Fibroid and Polyp in Uterus

Image Source – women-health-info.com

Uterine polyps Symptoms

Symptoms of uterine polyps include:

Abnormal uterine bleeding that may be:

• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Spotting in between menstruation
• Heavy menstruation
• Bleeding after menopause

Grows up to a size of sesame seeds and golf ball
May be single or multiple
Some are asymptomatic

Uterine polyps may be mistaken for uterine fibroids or myoma. They are both hormone induced and may have similar symptoms. Here are the most common differences of the two:

Difference between Uterine polyp and Uterine Fibroids

What causes polyps in the uterus?

The exact cause of uterine polyps is unknown, but is associated with the reduction of estrogen levels in the body. Risk factors include:

• More than 40 years of age
• Undergoing the pre-menopausal stage or already experiencing menopause
• Previous intake of anti-estrogen medications such as tamoxifen
• Obesity with more than 30 body mass index
• Presence of hypertension
• Use of hormone replacement therapy

Diagnosis of Uterine Polyps

The diagnosis of uterine polyps is made using the following procedures:

• Hysterosalpingogram – This involves the injection of contrast medium inside the uterus and fallopian tubes. X-ray images are taken to determine any obstruction of uterine polyps inside the uterus. The contrast medium is usually iodine based so patients should be assessed for allergies to seafood.
• Hysteroscopy – This employs the insertion of thin tube with a camera on the tip, which allows the gynecologist to examine the uterine cavity and locate the presence of polyps. The size is also accurately identified using this procedure. An instrument may also be inserted during the procedure to remove the polyp in the uterus.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound – This procedure employs the insertion of an ultrasound sensor in the vagina to accurately get an image on the inside portion of the pelvis.
• Sonohysterogram – Sonohysterogram employs the use of ultrasound plus the instillation of normal saline solution in the uterus to make a balloon-like organ. This allows for undetected polyp to be seen.
• Biopsy – Biopsy is done to determine any presence of malignancy. This is the most definitive test to identify malignancy in the uterine polyp.

Treatment of Uterine Polyp

Uterine polyp may eventually disappear after some time; however, when there is excessive bleeding and affectation of fertility, these are electively removed. Treatment for uterine polyp is commonly done through surgical removal of the tumor. These include:

Curettage

Curettage involves the scraping of the uterine wall to remove endometrial polyp. This uses a special instrument called a curette to effectively remove the outgrowth. Curettage is usually guided by hysteroscopy. Dilatation and curettage may also be applied, which does not involve the use of hysteroscopy. The gynecologist should be knowledgeable on the locations of the polyp to adequately remove them using dilatation and curettage.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus when multiple polyps occur with indications of malignancy. The uterus is removed from the pelvic cavity and the cervix may be preserved. Other organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix may also be removed when malignant cells are also present. However, uterine polyp seldom progress to cancer.

Medications

Hormonal preparations such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are given to decrease the size of uterine polyps for easier removal. Progestins may also be given for similar actions. These medications provide short-term management and the polyps may grow back after stopping the medications.

Prognosis of Uterine Polyps

Uterine polyps are considered mild and are highly treatable. Presence of abnormal vaginal bleeding should be referred to a gynecologist to prevent hemorrhage and hypovolemia. Only few conditions eventually lead to endometrial cancer when other risk factors for cancer are present.

Complications of Uterine Polyps

Complications of uterine polyps include:

Infertility – The presence of uterine polyps can lead to infertility because of the inability of the fertilized egg to implant in the endometrial layer. Polyps can also block the opening of the fallopian tube from the uterus preventing the sperm cells to meet the egg cell for fertilization. In addition, polyps can also block the cervix and prevent entry of sperm cells in the womb. Women who undergo surgical removal of the polyps usually become pregnant after some time.

Miscarriage – Pregnant women may also suffer from miscarriage after in vitro fertilization. The polyp may take the space of the fetus especially when it grows big of up to the size of an orange. However, other cases of polyps disappear following delivery.

Prevention of Uterine Polyps

Prevention involves the avoidance of modifiable risk factors. Preventive measures include:

1. Management of weight o prevent obesity
2. Proper diet
3. Limiting salt and fat intake
4. Proper management of hypertension

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Generally speaking anesthesia is culled out from a Greek word which denotes a loss or absence of sensation. There are many types of anesthesia, one of which is general anesthesia. The main difference of general anesthesia, which is far more complex than Phenphedrine side effects and Alcohol side effects, from other types of anesthesia is that it has a tendency to make the person completely lose his or her consciousness. In addition to that, it halts your brain in recognizing the nerve signals leading to the person to not feel anything during surgical procedure. The general anesthesia is commonly used most in a lot of surgical procedures.

General Anesthesia Side Effects

General anesthesia also has common side effects which should be made known to the patient before undergoing any surgical procedure. The general anesthesia side effects are as follows:

1. Tremors

One general anesthesia side effects is tremors, which is one of the common reported side effects after general anesthesia has worn off.

2. Mood shift

According to the experts, mood shift, which is part of the general anesthesia side effects, can happen after the wearing off of the general anesthesia. It momentarily affects the mental capacity level of the person as well as his or her mood. The degree and duration of this kind of side effect may vary from one person to another.

3. Pain in one’s throat

This is included in the general anesthesia side effects. One may feel pain in one’s throat probably because of the breathing apparatus used during the surgical procedure and upon the induction of the general anesthesia.

4. Dizzy and sleepy feeling

These are common general anesthesia side effects which will eventually vanish after the purging of the anesthesia. It is considered a result of the usage of the general anesthesia itself.

5. Dry mouth

Drying of the mouth is a common effect under the general anesthesia side effect which normally occurs as the general anesthesia is known to stop the mucus secretion in the gastrointestinal area so as not to affect the surgical procedure.

6. Confusion

A momentary confusion may happen to a person, which is manifested by the person upon the regain of his or her consciousness. Hence, it is far important that when the person wakes up, he or she should be oriented to time, place and the happenings around him or her.

7. Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia, one of the effects written under general anesthesia side effects, is a common side effect in the usage of general anesthesia. Arrhythmia is a medical condition which means an irregular beating of the heart which is abnormal. This is probably brought about by factors such as age, medications ingested, and the kind of general anesthesia being used by the surgeon himself or herself.

8. Vomiting and nausea

These are common of the general anesthesia side effects which occur brought about by the shaking of the movement of the person’s gastrointestinal system during the surgical procedure done. These effects are normal expected effects in most persons.

9. Shivering

Shivering, which is amongst the general anesthesia side effects, occurs because anesthesia is known to lead to vascular dilation which leads to heat loss from the person’s body. Hence, there is a need to place a warming blanket to aid in the keeping of the temperature of the body into its normal acceptable range.

10. Itching episodes

Itching, which is normally included in the general anesthesia side effects, which occurs because of the narcotic action which targets a certain receptor in the body and separates that receptor to aid in the relief of pain. Narcotic medications are normally part of the general anesthesia medications.

11. Headache

Headache, one of the many general anesthesia side effects, occurs to most persons undergoing surgical procedure with the use of general anesthesia. This also happens to persons who drink coffee as a result of withdrawal caffeine episodes.

12. Teeth damages

Teeth damages which are general anesthesia side effects that is because of the usage of the plastic airway device during the induction of the general anesthesia. This side effect can happen on awakening when the person bites hard on the plastic or during the placement of the anesthesia.

13. Infections of the chest

It is otherwise known as chest infections which are general anesthesia side effects. These infections can happen to persons who are undergoing abdominal kind of surgical procedure. The manifestations of persons having chest infections are having difficulty of breathing and a feeling of being feverish.