What is a uterine polyp?
A uterine polyp, also called an endometrial polyp, is a small growth that appears on the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. While you can develop polyps at any age, they’re most common in women ages 40 to 49.
Uterine polyps can vary in size, and you can develop one or multiple polyps. In most cases, uterine polyps are benign (noncancerous), but some can turn into cancer, so it’s always a good idea to discuss treatment options with your provider.
Uterine polyps symptoms
Uterine polyps don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, the most common one is abnormal menstrual bleeding. About 25% of reproductive-age women with abnormal bleeding have uterine polyps.
Abnormal bleeding may look like:
- Heavy bleeding during your period (menorrhagia)
- Irregular periods
- Spotting (bleeding between your periods)
Other signs of uterine polyps include:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Bleeding after menopause
- Infertility
When to see a doctor
Talk with your women’s health specialist if you’re experiencing abnormal bleeding, pain or trouble getting pregnant. Your provider can determine if polyps are the cause or if you have another condition that needs to be treated.
Your provider can also perform tests on a polyp to see if it is cancerous, and if so, you can begin treatment as early as possible, which can lead to better outcomes.
What causes uterine polyps?
The exact cause of uterine polyps is not known. However, they appear to grow in women with high estrogen levels, either related to a health condition or medications.
Uterine polyps risk factors
Your age is the biggest risk factor when it comes to uterine polyps. These growths are most common between ages 40 and 49, around the time when you’re approaching menopause (known as perimenopause). Cancerous polyps are more common after age 60 and in women who have gone through menopause.
Additional risk factors for polyps include:
- Being overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9) or obese (BMI 30 or higher)
- Having high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Taking tamoxifen, a breast cancer treatment drug
- Receiving high-dose estrogen hormone replacement therapy
- Having Lynch syndrome or Cowden syndrome
How are uterine polyps diagnosed?
Your women’s health specialist may combine imaging tests with a tissue sample to confirm whether you have uterine polyps or rule out other conditions.
Medical history and physical exam
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and ask about your symptoms. If you’re postmenopausal, they may inquire about any bleeding or spotting you've experienced. They’ll also ask about any medications you're taking. If you still have periods, they’ll likely ask about the specifics of your menstrual cycle, including duration and frequency. Additionally, they may ask if you’ve had trouble getting pregnant.
Your provider will perform a gynecological exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap smear. They may order additional tests or procedures to confirm the presence of polyps.
Transvaginal ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound uses sound waves to create images. Your provider will use a wand to look at the uterine lining for signs of thickening, which can indicate polyps.
Hysterosonogram
A hysterosonogram, also called sonohysterography, is an ultrasound used to help your provider diagnose abnormal bleeding. First, saline is injected into the uterus to help make polyps easier to see, and then your provider will use a wand to capture images of your uterine wall and endometrium.
Hysteroscopy
During a hysteroscopy, your provider uses a hysteroscope, a long, thin tube with a lighted telescope, to examine the inside of your uterus. A hysteroscope is inserted through your vagina and cervix. Sometimes, hysteroscopy is combined with surgery to remove uterine polyps.
Endometrial biopsy
A tissue sample of your endometrial tissue, known as a biopsy, will help your provider determine if your abnormal bleeding is caused by something other than polyps, such as endometrial cancer.
Uterine polyp treatment
Based on the evaluation, your women’s health specialist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Treatment options may include:
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Watchful waiting
If you’re not experiencing symptoms, you may not need treatment. Sometimes, polyps disappear on their own, and small polyps usually don't require treatment unless there's a risk of uterine cancer.
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Medication
Your provider may recommend medications to regulate your hormone levels. These medications can treat symptoms but are often not a good long-term solution.
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Surgery
Uterine polyps may also be removed in a surgical procedure:
- Uterine polypectomy: Your provider will likely be able to remove your polyp during hysteroscopy. During the procedure, your physician inserts a lighted camera (scope) into your uterus. The doctor removes polyps with special tools while viewing the images on a computer.
- Hysterectomy: If a polyp is cancerous, further surgery may be necessary. During a hysterectomy, a surgeon removes your uterus. Used infrequently for polyps, a hysterectomy may be an option if your polyp contains cancer cells.
Find specialized care for uterine polyps
We help you find relief and treatment for uterine polyps at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized women’s health centers in North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
How we reviewed this page
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March 20, 2025