{"id":18977,"date":"2021-03-01T09:51:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T08:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=18977"},"modified":"2021-08-24T15:21:07","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T13:21:07","slug":"what-are-cervical-polyps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/what-are-cervical-polyps\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Cervical Polyps?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This article was medically fact-checked by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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The <\/span>cervix<\/span><\/a> is an incredible organ. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It serves as the gateway between the vagina and the uterus, it allows sperm to come in, or keeps it out, period blood flows through it, and it helps to keep the uterus safe from infection, especially during pregnancy. Along with many other incredible abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shaped like a donut, the cervix changes throughout your menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and secretes <\/span>mucus<\/span><\/a> to help you track these changes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like any organ, however, the cervix\u2019s health is susceptible to conditions like <\/span>cervical cancer<\/span><\/a>, a <\/span>friable cervix<\/span><\/a>, and cervical polyps. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are Cervical Polyps?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polyps are small clump of cells that form together to create bulb-like lumps. They are typically benign, or not cancerous, and occur in about <\/span>2-5%<\/span><\/a> of people with uteruses. They can also occur elsewhere in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polyps tend to be red, purple or greyish-white. People with polyps may have just one, or they could have multiple ones clustered together. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two main types of cervical polyps, endocervical, and ectocervical. The most common are endocervical polyps, which grow from the cervical glands in the endocervix, or opening of the uterus. These are most common in people who have not yet hit <\/span>menopause<\/span><\/a>. Ectocervical polyps, on the other hand, grow from the outer surface layer cervical cells around the ectocervix, where the cervix meets the vagina. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are usually found during a routine pelvic exam or gynecological examination. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest risk of cervical polyps is that they can look similar to cancerous lumps. If you do have them removed, your provider will typically send them to the lab for analysis. Only <\/span>0.2%-1.5%<\/span><\/a> of cases are malignant and indicative of disease or cancerous. These occur most often in people who are <\/span>postmenopausal<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Gets Cervical Polyps?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While anyone with a cervix can develop cervical polyps, there are certain risk factors that can increase someone\u2019s chance. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cervical polyps are more common in people who are over the age of twenty, and in people who have had children. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People with a history of cervical polyps do have a greater chance of developing more, although they won\u2019t necessarily grow back in the same spot. About <\/span>one in eight<\/span><\/a> people who have had cervical polyps removed, will have a recurrence. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Causes Cervical Polyps?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s difficult to know the exact cause of cervical polyps, but there certainly are some factors that can contribute to their development. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n