Cervical polyps are small, elongated tumours that grow on the cervix. The cervix is the narrow canal at the bottom of the uterus that extends into the vagina. Polyps are fragile structures that grow from stalks rooted on the surface of the cervix or inside the cervical canal. There is usually only one polyp present—or at most, two or three.

Cervical polyps occur in about four percent of women of reproductive age. They are most common in women in their 40s and 50s who have had more than one child. Polyps almost never occur in young women prior to the start of menstruation. Polyps are also common during pregnancy. This may be caused by an increase in the hormone oestrogen.

Cervical polyps are usually benign (not cancerous), and the chances of them leading to cervical cancer are rare.

Symptoms of Cervical Polyps

Polyps on the cervix may not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, if any of the following symptoms occur, see your gynaecologist right away:

vaginal discharge of white or yellow mucus (leucorrhea)
vaginal spotting or bleeding: after sexual intercourse (post coital), between periods (inter-menstrual), after douching, after menopause (postmenopausal)
abnormally heavy periods (menorrhagia)

Some of these symptoms can also be signs of cancer. In rare cases, polyps could represent an early phase of cervical cancer. Removing them helps reduce this risk.

Ask your doctor how often you should get regular pelvic examinations and pap tests. Recommendations can vary with a patient’s age and health history.

Why Polyps Occur

It is not fully understood why cervical polyps occur. Their formation may be linked to:

increased levels of oestrogen (female sex hormone)
chronic inflammation in the cervix, vagina, or uterus
clogged blood vessels

High Oestrogen Levels

Oestrogen levels naturally fluctuate throughout a woman’s life. The most common times are during menstrual cycles, pregnancies, and in the months leading up to menopause. For example, oestrogen levels can reach 100 times the normal range during pregnancy.

Man-made chemicals that mimic oestrogen are present everywhere in our environment today. For example, xenoestrogens are found in commercially produced meats and dairy products.

Chemical oestrogens can also be released into food that is heated in...read more on https://planbwellness.com/what-are-cervical-polyps/