Diagnosis

Polyps are often noticed by chance during a gynecological examination. If they grow out of the cervix, the doctor may occasionally see them during the vaginal examination. A more detailed examination is made possible by colposcopy, where the polyps can practically be viewed with a “magnifying glass”.

Other polyps are usually detected during a palpation examination. If nothing is detected by these methods, but the suspicion of uterine polyps remains, an ultrasound (sonography) is then performed. If no abnormalities are detected, for example because the polyps are located very high up on the uterine body, a hysteroscopy of the uterus can be performed.

This procedure has the advantage that the polyps can be viewed very closely and it is possible to distinguish them from similar changes, for example the myomas. Nevertheless, a cell smear and tissue samples should be taken to confirm the diagnosis and to be able to detect the rare but possible malignant degenerations at an early stage and to treat them appropriately. Polyps in the uterus do not always cause symptoms and are therefore not always visible to the layperson.Unfortunately, older women, in particular, go to the gynecologist less and less, which is why they do not recognize the polyps in the uterus for a long time.

It is only when specific symptoms such as frequent inter-bleeding, excessive menstrual bleeding or irregular menstrual periods occur that patients notice that something is wrong. Other symptoms, such as pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse, can also be a warning signal, which then leads to the gynaecologist being consulted by the symptoms, who will then recognize the polyps in the uterus. It is important to know that the polyps in the uterus cannot be detected from the outside because they form from the mucous membrane (endometrium) in the uterus and can therefore only be detected by the gynaecologist with specific equipment.

As an affected patient, polyps in the uterus can only be recognized by their symptoms. However, since polyps only cause symptoms after a certain size or number of polyps, many patients who do not regularly go to the gynaecologist for a check-up may not recognize the polyps in the uterus at all. This usually has no effect because the polyps rarely develop into uterine cancer. However, in rare cases infertility can occur at a young age. Therefore, it is very important to go to the gynaecologist at any age, regardless of whether you have a partner or not, and have a check-up, as only the gynaecologist can detect the polyps in the uterus without any doubt.