Endometrial polyps, also known simply as endometrial polyps , or uterine polyps, are unfortunately a very common condition among women. These are neoformations, generally benign, which grow right on the internal muscles of the uterus, ie the endometrium.
But what is it specifically
What are the causes of endometrial octopuses What are the symptoms that allow us to recognize this condition
There are risks that can be encountered
What needs to be done to solve the problem
If you are looking for an answer to these questions Then you’re in the right place!
What are Endometrial Polyps
As we have already said in our introduction, when we talk about endometrial polyps (or uterine polyps, or simply endometrial polyps), we are referring to a purely female condition in which benign tumors are formed in the internal mucosa of the uterus.
These neoformations are usually benign in nature, that is, they do not cause particular concern and can be removed, however sometimes it may happen that they are not and even serious problems can arise.
These growths are called polyps, or baby octopuses, due to their appearance. In fact they can be of different shapes and sizesand are attached to the endometrium through very thin peduncles and from there they extend towards the inner portion of the uterus.
This disorder is largely influenced by eating habits and previous experience in the surgical sector has meant that their removal, to date, is quite simple. However, this does not mean that this problem should be underestimated.
What are the most common causes of endometrial polyps
The actual causes underlying the appearance of endometrial polyps are unknown, however, it is believed that the excessive growth of the tissue of this mucosa and any hormonal changes, strongly affect them.
So, talk about real causesof this problem is practically impossible. However, we can mention all those risk factors that take over and favor the appearance of these neoformations which, as we have said, can be of different shapes and sizes.
In fact, from the research that has been carried out on this topic, it has emerged that estrogen seems to be linked to the birth of endometrial polyps. This is because these hormones play a fundamental role every month by promoting the thickening of the endometrium.
Among the other risk factors that influence the appearance of endometrial polyps we also mention those mentioned below:
- The menopause;
- The age of the woman, in fact from 40 to 50 years the risk increases considerably;
- The increase in the inflammatory levels of the organism;
- A condition of obesity.
How do we recognize them
What are the symptoms
In addition to being able to have different shapes and sizes, endometrial polyps can arise both individually and in groups, regardless of the factor that triggered their appearance.
Often this condition can be asymptomatic , ie it occurs without being accompanied by specific symptoms that would act as an alarm bell.
However, fortunately, in some cases there is a specific symptom picture that will lead us to investigate the situation better. Among these symptoms are the following:
- Severe pains;
- Spotting, which is the loss of blood from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle
- Bleeding also during the menstrual cycle;
- Spontaneous abortions;
- Fertility;
- L’anemia.
Particular attention must therefore be paid to all these symptoms, especially those relating to menstruation. In the event that these should appear for a long time and together with other problems, it is advisable to contact the gynecologist, but we will deal with this topic in the next paragraph.
How should we behave in these cases
As we have already said in the previous paragraph, if one or more symptoms of endometrial octopuses occur, it is advisable to contact the gynecologist as, even if these are usually benign in nature, that does not exclude the possibility of going encounter greater risks.
So, once you have gone to your trusted gynecologist, you will surely be subjected to specific medical tests to determine the nature of the baby octopuses (ie whether they are benign or not). Among these exams you will find mainly the following:
- There curettage;
- He pap test;
- The ultrasound.
Even if in the clinic it will be established that the endometrial octopuses you are affected by are benign, this does not exclude that you will have to undergo periodic checks, in order to monitor their progress and, above all, to be prepared if they become malignant.
What are the treatments envisaged for the care of endometrial
octopuses? Intuagely, the treatment envisaged for your specific case depends not only on the nature of the endometrial octopuses, but also on your physical condition. In fact, only after having made a global evaluation will the doctor decide what to do.
In principle we can say that, if the polypsthey are small in size, are not accompanied by symptoms and are benign in nature, so there is a possibility that these resolve completely spontaneously.
If symptoms occur, and if your gynecologist deems it necessary, you may also be prescribed medications. Usually in these cases, pharmacological treatments involve taking hormone therapy, especially with regard to progestogens and their antagonists.
In the most serious cases, for example if there is a risk of infertility or a spontaneous abortion , the gynecologist may deem it necessary to undergo a minor surgery.
This is a very simple operation that takes just under half an hour and is generally done inday hospital , i.e. you can go home during the day if there are no complications.
With this surgery the polyps that have formed in the uterus will be removed directly, obviously with the necessary anesthesia that will allow you not to feel any kind of pain.
On the other hand , if the endometrial polyps are malignant in nature, the treatment changes completely. In these cases it may be advisable to remove the entire uterus for the situation to resolve before worsening further.
This is not an operation that is done in day hospital, as in the case of benign baby octopuses. In fact, due to the post-operative period in which the patient may not be perfectly conscious, all the doctor’s instructions must be meticulously followed.
Finally, in the case of endometrial polyps , both benign and malignant, even after having them removed, there is the risk of a relapse. Precisely for this reason, those who suffer from this problem, even after surgery, will be invited to undergo periodic checks to constantly assess this risk.
There are natural remedies
In milder cases, i.e. when the situation is not particularly serious and the baby octopuses do not cause unbearable symptoms, you can also resort to the use of some natural remediesespecially to strengthen your immune system.
Among these remedies the most effective are the following:
- Engage in regular physical activity ;
- Increase your intake of whole grains (for the complete list, I invite you to read our guide here);
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet and reduce your intake of meat;
- Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee, and some energy drinks).
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