UTERINE POLYPODS

9 July 20233′ read4 sections

CONTENTS

What are the symptoms of uterine polyps?
What causes uterine polyps?
Risk of miscarriage and effect on fertility
Restoring fertility

Uterine polyps are small, soft growths that develop on the inside of the uterus. They vary in size, with some as small as a seed and others as large as golf balls. About 24% of women have uterine polyps.

What are the symptoms of uterine polyps?

The symptoms may not be very noticeable if you have smaller polyps; however, as the polyps grow, the symptoms can become more pronounced. Many women do not know they have polyps until they seek treatment for symptoms such as:

Unpredictable or irregular periods
Bleeding and spotting between periods
Unusually heavy periods (defined as needing to change a tampon or pad every two hours)
Miscarriage
Infertility

What causes uterine polyps?

The exact cause of uterine polyps is not known , but doctors believe that oestrogen plays a role. As you approach the menopause, your hormone levels often change. This imbalance causes your oestrogen levels to fluctuate. Oestrogen is the main hormone that causes the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to thicken each month. An imbalance can cause overgrowth of the endometrium, creating uterine polyps.

Risk of miscarriage and effect on fertility

A miscarriage is an extremely distressing experience, especially for those struggling with infertility. The presence of polyps in the lining of the uterus can increase the risk of miscarriage. Polyps are an abnormality and trigger an inflammatory response in the body, particularly in the uterus. Because polyps cause irregular periods and abnormal bleeding, the lining of the uterus may start to shed or bleed just when your embryo is ready to implant. The inflammation also creates an inhospitable environment for the embryo and can cause a miscarriage. Specialists diagnose uterine polyps in about 25% of all women with unexplained infertility. Apart from recurrent miscarriage, uterine polyps are thought to hinder fertilisation by preventing sperm and egg from coming into contact. Of course, any risk of infertility or miscarriage associated with uterine polyps depends on the size and number of polyps in the uterus.

Restoring fertility

Removing the polyps means that your chances of pregnancy improve significantly. You can try natural conception, intrauterine insemination or IVF, depending on your diagnosis and your doctor's recommendation. Uterine polyps can come back, so you may need treatment more than once. In the rare event that your polyps are cancerous, your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy. In that case, pregnancy is possible through surrogacy.

If you are having difficulty conceiving and have any of the symptoms of uterine polyps, contact us. In most cases it is possible to remove your polyps and restore your fertility. As with any medical diagnosis, your experience is your own and unique to you. Contact the "Dr. Alexandros Traianos" Centre for Reproductive Medicine today and together we will help you find the answers you are looking for. For information, call ☎️(+30) 2310 277 032 or send a message to 📧email alexandrostraianos@gmail.com.

TAGSreproductive healthinfertility diagnosisReproductive Medicine SpecialistCenter for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo Medicine

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

What are the symptoms of uterine polyps?

What causes uterine polyps?

Risk of miscarriage and effect on fertility

Restoring fertility

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?