Uterine polyp
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A uterine polyp is a rather common growth within the uterine cavity, originating from the endometrium that takes up space within the uterine cavity. It is usually benign, but may lead to abnormal bleeding. Typically it is detected by gynecologic ultrasonography or sonohysterography. It can be removed by hysteroscopy. On a rare occasion, and more so in patients after the menopause a lesion may develop into a malignancy.
The abnormal bleeding (or spotting) caused by a polyp will often cycle along with the menstral phases, starting before or following after a period. There could also be a fair amount of cramping during the time of spotting. The blood may be brown and clotted and during a period may be dark thick and mucusy.
A polyp will likely be one of the doctor's first thoughts as to what the problem could be, and likely an ultrasound will be requested. The polyp will only be detected by the ultrasound if it is hard, but many polyps are soft and spongy. Some polyps will not be detected until a D&C (dilation and curretage) or hysteroscopy is performed, and the polyp(s) will usually be dealt with at that time. With modern techniques a polyp can be removed fairly simply.
After the removal of the polyp it will take several months to determine if it was in fact the cause of the abnormal bleeding. The first menstral cycle will usually not be regular with a period coming early or late. During the second one there may be a small amount of bleeding at the same time in the cycle when it occurred previously. Also the cramping experienced before the polyp’s removal may still be present. After a polyp’s removal the vaginal discharge should return to normal (clear or slightly milky). Likely one’s sex drive will increase (as it likely decreased during the time of the polyp) and one will generally have more moisture in the vagina (both regularly and during the time of sexual arrousal). If one’s period was thick and mucusy during the time of the polyp it should return to a more fluid form.
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