Uterine polyps

Treatment and prevention options depend on the number and size of polyps, the severity of your symptoms, your age, and your reproductive goals.

Treatment options include:

• Watchful waiting: If your polyps aren’t causing any uncomfortable symptoms and you are at low risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer, your doctor may recommend monitoring your health, symptoms, and polyps over time. Treatment is not given unless troubling symptoms occur.
• Medication: Your doctor can prescribe medications to control or alter hormone levels. These medications may cause polyps to shrink, but symptoms usually come back when the medication is stopped.
• Surgery: If polyps are causing uncomfortable symptoms, interfering with fertility, or suspected of being cancerous, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the polyps. A hysteroscopy is surgical removal of uterine polyps using surgical instruments inserted through the cervix, and into the womb (uterus). If polyps are plentiful and causing severe symptoms, and you are done having children, your doctor might suggest a hysterectomy, or removal of the entire uterus. Hysterectomy is the preferred treatment if polyps are cancerous.

There is no known way to prevent polyps or their recurrence. Scheduling regular checkups helps your doctor catch polyps sooner, prescribe appropriate treatment, and protect your reproductive health.

Dignity Health provides personalized treatment for uterine polyps in Arizona, California, and Nevada.