Polyps in the uterus

Polyps are grape-like growths that are sometimes found in the lining of the cervix or the uterus. There can be one or several polyps at the same time. They occur in 10-20% of pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women who’re examined for bleeding disturbances, and they are usually benign.

Symptoms

Even though the polyps are usually benign, they can cause a good deal of problems for some women, such as:

  • Bleeding between periods 
  • Bleeding during or after sex 
  • Vaginal discharge – heavy and watery
Treatment

The polyps are removed. We do this either with a small telescope, or in a keyhole operation after dilating the cervix. 

If the polyp is large or there’re several of them in the uterus, we remove them in a keyhole operation. As it’s necessary to dilate the cervix, you’ll have a general anaesthetic for the operation.

Below you can read more about what happens during the operation.

Before the operation

The operation is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. That is, you can go home 2-4 hours later.  But you must have somebody to come and pick you up at the clinic and stay with you for the next 24 hours.

Before the procedure, it’s important that you tell the specialist about any drugs or medicine you take, because some of them may be dangerous in combination with the anaesthetic.  

Fasting:

  • You are not allowed to eat anything during the last 6 hours before your operation
  • You are allowed to drink water and juice until 2 hours before your operation
The operation

You’ll have a general anaesthetic for the operation, which takes 20-30 minutes.  We’ll put an IV line in the back of your hand and give you the anaesthetic through it. The operation is performed via the vagina and cervix using a small telescope (hysteroscope). Your uterus is filled with saline water, to give us a better image. We use a loop of fine wire to remove the polyps. The polyps are sent to the Aarhus University Department of Histopathology for further analysis.

After the operation

You should take it easy for the rest of the day after the operation. The next day, our nurse will call you at home to check that you’re OK.

Post-operative checkup

14 days after the operation, we will contact you by phone/email/letter regarding your test results. You’ll come in for a checkup 4 months after the operation.

Good to know

Bleeding: You’ll probably experience bleeding similar to a period for 1-2 weeks after the operation. Then the bleeding will gradually diminish.  But you can still have some brownish discharge or light bleeding for a couple of weeks after that.

Pain: You’ll experience some labour- or period-like pain after the operation. The pain is caused by contractions of the uterus.

Hygiene: To avoid infection, you shouldn’t use tampons until the bleeding has stopped. Take showers only, and don’t go swimming for 4 weeks after the operation.

Activity and sex: You should expect to be off sick for about 1 week after the operation. You can also take up physical exercise about 1 week later. Don’t have sexual intercourse until you’ve stopped bleeding.

Side-effects and complications

If you experience strong pain, a fever or any bleeding heavier than an ordinary period, you must contact the clinic at +45 8612 6121 or +45 2320 4221.