A hysteroscopy is a procedure used to diagnose and treat uterine disorders. It may be performed to remove uterine growths such as fibroids or polyps. It can also be used to diagnose and treat irregular bleeding and infertility issues.
A lighted catheter will be guided through the cervix and into the uterus by the doctor. A hysteroscope, or scope, is the name for this tube. Your uterus will be filled with air or fluids by the doctor. This allows the scope to see the inside of your uterus more easily. To cure an issue, the doctor may also pass instruments through the scope.
The doctor may remove a little bit of tissue for examination during this surgery. A biopsy is the medical term for this procedure. Alternatively, the doctor may scrape tissue from the uterus’ inner wall. The procedure is known as a dilation and curettage, or D&C.
When the scope is removed, the majority of the liquid that your doctor filled your uterus with will flow out.
You’ll probably return home the same day. And you’ll most likely be able to return to work the next day. However, it is dependent on the work that was done and the type of work that you do.
How much does it cost to have a uterine polyp removed?
How much does it set you back? The cost varies based on the treatment, and insurance coverage may or may not be available depending on an individual’s plan. According to some sources, the cost is roughly $1,500, while others estimate it to be between $3,000 and $7,000.
How long does it take to recover from uterine polyp removal?
- Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood thinners may be asked to be stopped.
- After menstrual bleeding has stopped but before ovulation, you will be scheduled for the operation (if you are still ovulating).
- Discuss any bleeding disorders or other medical concerns you may be experiencing.
After Surgery
- For a day or two after the surgery, you may experience increased cramping and vaginal bleeding.
- Due to the gas used during the treatment, you may feel gas pains for a day or two. It’s possible that this will spread to your upper abdomen and shoulder. This pressure can be relieved by walking.
- The recovery time for this procedure is rather short, with most patients feeling substantially better within the first few days.
Recovery: what to expect in the next few weeks
- For a few weeks, some women will have some watery discharge with some blood. Expect the flow to be strong at first, then lessen with time.
- Most women feel better within the first week of surgery; however, during the next few weeks, do not lift, push, or pull any heavy objects.
Should I have a polyp removed from my uterus?
If the polyps do not cause any symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. Polyps, on the other hand, should be treated if they produce severe bleeding during menstruation or are suspected of being precancerous or cancerous. If they create complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage, or infertility in women who want to get pregnant, they should be removed. After menopause, if a polyp is identified, it should be removed.
- Medications: As a temporary treatment, drugs that help manage hormonal balance, such as progestins or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, may be utilized. These drugs help to alleviate discomfort. However, after the drugs are removed, the symptoms frequently return.
- Hysteroscopy is the examination of a woman’s uterus (see above) This could be utilized as a therapy strategy as well. During therapy, the doctor will use surgical equipment to remove any polyps discovered with the hysteroscope.
- Curettage is a term that refers to the process of (see above) This can be done in conjunction with hysteroscopy. The doctor uses a curette to scrape the lining and remove any polyps while using the hysteroscope to examine inside the uterus. The polyps may be sent to a laboratory for testing to see if they are malignant or benign. For smaller polyps, this method works well.
- If a polyp cannot be removed using other procedures or if the polyps are malignant, more surgery may be required. In cases when cancer cells are identified in the uterine polyps, a hysterectomy (a surgical operation in which the entire uterus is removed) may be required.
What happens if you don’t remove uterine polyps?
Uterine polyps are soft mushy outgrowths from the womb lining (endometrium) that are usually less than 1 cm in diameter and flatten to fit the uterine cavity.
The stalk (or pedicle) of the polyp is normally short, but it can occasionally grow long enough for the polyp to protrude through the cervix (the lower opening of the womb). Polyps in the uterine cavity are common, and there can be several polyps in the uterine cavity. Small submucosal fibroids can sometimes grow on a stalk and appear like uterine polyps (see fact sheet on Fibroids). Large polyps can cause infertility and miscarriage because they are prone to bleeding. Premenopausal and postmenopausal women can develop uterine polyps. Polyps can be malignant in rare cases.
Symptoms
Many women with uterine polyps have no signs or symptoms. One or more of the following symptoms may be present in others:
- Menstrual bleeding that is irregular, such as bleeding in different volumes and at irregular intervals
Diagnosis
Hysteroscopy is frequently used to diagnose polyps. Hysteroscopy is a treatment that involves inserting a thin telescope into the uterine cavity to allow the surgeon to examine within the uterus. Although an ultrasound scan can reveal a uterine polyp, it is not always accurate, especially in younger women who are still having periods. On an ultrasound scan, a thickened fold of the uterine lining could be mistaken for polyps. A hysteroscopic examination is frequently required to give an accurate diagnosis. When the polyp is excised and delivered to the laboratory, the final diagnosis of uterine polyp is determined. The presence of a polyp and the kind of polyp are confirmed by the laboratory.
Other diagnostic procedures, such as hystosalpingography (an x-ray of the uterus after filling it with a dye) and saline sonography (an ultrasound scan after filling the uterine cavity with normal saline), can occasionally reveal uterine polyps. To rule out cancer, a tissue sample from the polyp should be sent for biopsy.
Treatment
Polyps can be surgically removed with a hysteroscope once they’ve been found. All women experiencing symptoms, as well as postmenopausal women, should have their polyps removed. Uterine polyps can be removed hysteroscopically without anaesthesia or under local anaesthetic. This procedure may necessitate the use of a general anaesthetic. Uterine polyps might return after they have been removed. If you have uterine polyps that come back, you may need treatment more than once. If precancerous or cancerous cells are discovered in the polyps, a hysterectomy (uterus removal) may be required.
Is a hysteroscopy covered by insurance?
A hysteroscopy will set you back anywhere from $750-$3,500. The cost is determined by the scope of the process. A diagnostic-only technique, for example, costs substantially less than surgery. If you undergo a more thorough operation that entails hospital surgery and general anesthesia, the cost may be more. The cost of these comprehensive operations might range from $7,000 to $10,000.
When a hysteroscopy is deemed medically necessary, several health insurance companies will fund it at least partially. Coverage varies by policy, so check with your insurer to find out what your out-of-pocket expenditures will be.
How painful is uterine polyp removal?
The surgical approach and the location of the polyps determine how to prepare for a polypectomy.
People who are having uterine polyps removed under local anesthetic may not need any particular preparation.
Colon polypectomy, on the other hand, necessitates the colon being empty. In the 12 to 24 hours leading up to surgery, patients may need to utilize enemas, laxatives, or both.
Surgical techniques and what to expect
Many patients prefer to have the treatment while awake. Others may prefer to be sedated. The doctor will administer a sedative to the patient, usually via an intravenous (IV) needle. The patient will feel drowsy and relaxed as a result of this.
A scope can be used to remove the majority of polyps. This is a tube that the doctor places into the body to avoid having to make a major incision. A doctor inserts a scope via the vaginal canal, into the cervix, and into the uterus during a uterine polypectomy. The scope is guided to the polyp with the help of a camera.
The doctor puts the tube through the rectum during a colon polypectomy. A camera, like in a uterine polypectomy, aids the doctor in locating the polyp.
Polyps are removed using a variety of surgical procedures. The specific removal approach is unlikely to have an impact on the patient’s surgical experience.
- Cold forceps polypectomy: This procedure, which is commonly performed with tiny polyps, uses forceps to pull the polyp loose. A wire will be used to remove the section of the polyp that extends into the tissue by the surgeon.
- Polypectomy using hot forceps is identical to cold forceps removal. A surgeon, in addition to grasping the polyp’s tip, employs an electrocautery method to burn away any remaining polyp tissue and avoid bleeding.
- Snare polypectomy: When the polyp is greater than 1 cm, a snare is a loop that can grab and remove it. It is the most common method. The snare might be hot or cold, and the surgeon may use electrocautery to burn away any polyp tissue that remains.
A patient may feel pressure or pulling throughout the treatment, but there should be no pain. A doctor may give the patient pain medication before, during, or after the treatment, depending on the location of the polyp and other variables.
When polyps are extremely large, they may need to be removed through an incision. This is a more difficult surgery that necessitates general anesthesia.
Do I need time off work after polyp removal?
The day after a hysteroscopy, most women believe they can resume normal activities, including work. Some ladies go back to work the next day.
However, if you underwent treatment such as fibroids removal and/or a general anaesthesia, you may want to take a few days off to relax.
While your doctor or surgeon can advise you on any activities you should avoid while recovering, in general:
- You can immediately eat and drink as usual If you’re feeling a little queasy following a general anaesthetic, start by eating tiny, light meals.
- Unless your doctor says otherwise, you can shower the same day and bathe the next day. If you’ve had a general anaesthetic and are still feeling dizzy, it’s a good idea to have another adult nearby to assist you.
- You should refrain from having intercourse for at least a week, or until any bleeding has stopped, to limit the risk of infection.
How painful is a hysteroscopy without anesthesia?
If you are awake, you may have what seems like period pains at times. Many women report feeling no or only minor discomfort. For some women, the surgery is excruciatingly painful, and the procedure must be interrupted. You can return on a different day and get a general anesthesia in this scenario. The severity of the pain might be influenced by a variety of factors. This includes the following:
- If a local or general anesthesia is employed, which type of local anaesthetic is used. (There are several choices.)
- Whether or whether you have previously given birth to children through your vaginal (vaginal) delivery.
These kinds of questions should be addressed when you’re asked to consent to the operation. If you’re concerned about the chance of pain, talk to your doctor or nurse about your alternatives. A hysteroscopy cannot be performed safely when you are pregnant.
Is uterine polyp removal considered surgery?
A polyp is removed with a hysteroscope, which is a camera that is inserted into the uterus through the cervix. Despite the fact that this is a procedure, there will be no incisions! To keep you comfortable, you’ll be given anaesthetic and will be sleeping throughout the surgery. The camera is advanced, and the uterus as a whole is examined. The polyp is grabbed with microscopic graspers and normally easily rips away from the lining. When there are a lot of polyps, a curettage is usually required to get rid of them all.
Should I be worried about a uterine polyp?
MAYO CLINIC, DEAR: My health care physician says I have a few minor uterine polyps that are unlikely to be carcinogenic and that I could be reevaluated in six months to see if more testing is required. Is it common for polyps in the uterus to develop into cancer? I am 49 years old.
ANSWER: Cancerous uterine polyps are uncommon. Monitoring the polyps over time is a reasonable method if they aren’t causing concerns. However, if you experience symptoms like abnormal bleeding, the polyps should be removed and checked to ensure there is no sign of cancer.
A uterine polyp is a growth that attaches to the uterus’ inner wall. Uterine polyps are caused by an expansion of cells in the endometrium, the uterus’s lining. These polyps might be a few millimeters long or many centimeters long. It’s unclear exactly what causes uterine polyps to form, but hormonal considerations appear to play a role. Uterine polyps are most frequent in women who are going through or have completed menopause, but they can also affect younger people.
A uterine polyp’s chances of becoming malignant or turning cancerous are slim. This percentage is 1-2 percent among premenopausal women. The risk is 5-6 percent in women who have gone through menopause. Despite the little danger, health care providers will frequently obtain a tissue sample from a uterine polyp for laboratory testing. That’s because some uterine malignancies and precancerous alterations, such as endometrial hyperplasia, might start off as uterine polyps.
Additional treatment isn’t indicated if the biopsy reveals no cancer or precancerous cells, and the polyps aren’t producing any symptoms. Small uterine polyps may disappear on their own in some situations.
Make an appointment with your health care provider as soon as you detect symptoms that could be related to the polyps. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as extremely heavy periods, frequent or unpredictable periods, bleeding between cycles, or vaginal bleeding after menopause, is the most prevalent symptom of uterine polyps.
When polyps cause symptoms, the polyps are usually removed through a minor surgical operation known as a ‘hysteroscopic polypectomy.’ The treatment can be done without anaesthetic in your doctor’s office or under anesthesia in an operating room. If you’re told the polyps need to be removed, talk to your doctor about which procedure is best for you.
Your doctor will introduce a small, thin, illuminated telescope called a “hysteroscope” through your vaginal and cervix into your uterus during a hysteroscopic polypectomy. Your doctor will be able to view into your uterus and identify the polyps as a result of this procedure. The polyps are then removed using surgical instruments inserted through the hysteroscope by your doctor.
The polyps are sent to a laboratory for evaluation after they’ve been removed to ensure they’re not cancerous. If a uterine polyp contains malignant or precancerous cells, your doctor will discuss the following steps in the evaluation and treatment with you.
Uterine polyps, on the other hand, usually do not pose any additional health problems. Polyps rarely reoccur once they’ve been removed, and irregular bleeding stops. Most women do not require further treatment once uterine polyps have been removed. Dr. Christopher Destephano, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, Obstetrics & Gynecology