Consequences and complications of the endometrial polyp
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In spite of the fact that in many cases locally limited proliferation of cells of the uterine mucosa in the form of a polyp is detected accidentally and is considered to be benign, the consequences and complications of the endometrial polyps can be quite serious.
How fast does the endometrial polyp grow?
As noted by gynecologists, from the formation of the polyp in the womb no woman is insured, since the main feature of the mucous membrane lining this organ is the ability of its cells to be renewed after the rejection during each menstruation by the corresponding hormones and enzymes. And the polyp of the endometrium grows, if in this natural process there is some kind of failure, most often - hormonal.
How fast does the endometrial polyp grow? Endometrial polyps - depending on their morphology - can be functional (formed from epithelial, glandular and stromal cells of the functional layer of the mucosa) and basal (growing from a deeper layer).
The functional layer during menstruation is completely lost and under the influence of estrogen intensively grows in the first half of the menstrual cycle (during the proliferative or follicular phase). With hyperactive multiplication of cells, the polyps grow faster in it than in the underlying basal layer (the cells of which are the basis of regeneration of the functional layer). At what speed this process occurs, it is not known, but the intensity of the increase in the polyp is lower, the more obvious the benign nature of education.
What is the risk of endometrial polyps?
While the presence of the polyp of the endometrium is in most cases asymptomatic, its negative consequences can be manifested in the fact that:
- Menstruation is very difficult and lasts more than usual;
- spontaneous bleeding occurs between menstruations, which often leads to a significant decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood and anemia;
- there are aching or cramping pains in the lower part of the abdominal cavity - due to contractions of the uterine muscles;
- often coats the endometrial polyp after intercourse;
- there are discharges of a different nature from the vagina, indicating the accession of the infection;
- possible uterine bleeding in women during early postmenopause (especially against the background of the use of estrogen drugs).
In women of childbearing age, infertility is often observed in the endometrial polyps, in particular, with significant dimensions of formation or its localization near the fallopian tubes. At the same time, the frequency of ectopic pregnancies increases, and the onset of uterine pregnancy is threatened with spontaneous interruption.
Clinical experience shows that the main condition for the restoration of a woman's fertility is the removal of a pathologically enlarged mucosa from the uterine wall, and then a normal pregnancy after the endometrial polyp becomes possible.
But the most dangerous complication of the adenomatous polyp of the mucous membrane of the uterus is its malignancy, that is, turning into a malignant formation. How often do endometrial polyps degenerate? According to statistics, endometrial polyps malignant in less than 1% of cases. In this case, as shown by histological studies, approximately 0.5% of endometrial polyps contain atypical glandular cells, characteristic of adenocarcinoma.
Can an endometrial polyps dissolve?
The solitary polyp of the endometrium, which has arisen in its functional layer, can itself resolve itself during pregnancy, and then during the ultrasound of the uterus, after some time after delivery, it is visually determined that the polyp of the endometrium has disappeared.
Can the endometrial polyp come out by itself? Yes, if the polyp is glandular and has a thin stem, this is possible. It is not uncommon for women to notice that a small size of the endometrial polyp came out with a period.
[Recurrence of the endometrial polyp
The main way to get rid of polyps is to remove them by the method of hysteroscopic polypectomy (hysteroresectoscopy). Although this method is very effective, it provides resection of the polyp at the same time as its pedicle, but recurrence of the endometrial polyps is not considered a rarity.
According to some reports, in almost ten cases of a hundred after removal, a repeated polyp of the endometrium is formed - in the same place or nearby.