Uterine Polyps: What They Are, When to Worry, and How They're Treated

If your ultrasound report mentioned a "polyp," or you've been having spotting between periods, heavier bleeding than usual, or any bleeding after menopause, the term uterine polyps may already have entered your vocabulary — usually alongside a lot of Googling and a fair amount of worry. The good news up front: uterine polyps are common, and most of them are benign.

This guide covers what uterine polyps are, the symptoms of uterine polyps to recognize, who tends to get them, the cancer-risk context, how doctors diagnose them, the main uterine polyp treatment options including hysteroscopic polypectomy, what they mean for fertility and pregnancy, recovery, and when to see a doctor. The goal is calm, useful information — not a diagnosis.

One thing up front, and we'll repeat it because it matters: this article is educational, not medical advice. Any unexpected uterine bleeding — and especially any bleeding after menopause — deserves a clinician's evaluation, not an internet self-diagnosis. We're the team behind Vyve, the private on-device AI cycle tracker built by our team, and Vyve is a tracking tool that can help you notice patterns; it is not a diagnostic tool.

What uterine polyps are

Here's the clear, quotable version: uterine polyps are soft, finger- or bulb-shaped growths that develop from the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) and extend into the uterine cavity. They range from a few millimeters to several centimeters, can appear singly or in clusters, and are usually — but not always — non-cancerous. Because they arise from the endometrium, they're also called endometrial polyps. The terms describe the same thing.

Anatomically, a uterine polyp is attached to the uterine wall by either a thin stalk (pedunculated) or a broad base (sessile). It's made of overgrown endometrial tissue — glands, connective tissue and small blood vessels — and it responds to the same hormones (chiefly estrogen) that drive the normal uterine lining. That hormonal responsiveness is a big part of why polyps can cause irregular bleeding: the tissue can bleed at times a period wouldn't normally arrive, and can shed unpredictably.

There's a related but distinct condition worth naming so you don't confuse them: cervical polyps. These grow from the cervix (the neck of the uterus) rather than from the endometrium higher up, and they're usually visible on a routine speculum exam. Both types are common, both are usually benign, and both are handled by a gynecologist — but the diagnostic and treatment paths differ. When people say "polyps in the uterus," they almost always mean endometrial polyps inside the uterine cavity.

Common symptoms of uterine polyps

Uterine polyps are famously variable: some cause obvious problems, while others sit quietly and are found by accident on an ultrasound done for something else. When they do cause symptoms, these are the ones most commonly reported:

• Irregular menstrual bleeding. Cycles that suddenly become unpredictable in length, timing or flow — often the earliest sign.
• Spotting between periods. Light bleeding on days you'd expect to be dry. Persistent inter-menstrual spotting is a classic polyp pattern.
• Heavier periods (menorrhagia). Periods that soak through pads or tampons faster than they used to, or last noticeably longer.
• Bleeding after sex (postcoital bleeding), particularly when a polyp is close to the cervix or is cervical.
• Bleeding after menopause. Any bleeding after menopause is never normal and always needs prompt medical evaluation — polyps are one of several possible causes, and some of the others are serious.
• Difficulty getting pregnant or, in some cases, recurrent miscarriage, when a polyp is disrupting the endometrium.
• Sometimes no symptoms at all. Many polyps are silent and are discovered incidentally.

What's not typical of a uterine polyp: severe, escalating pain; fever; or a rock-hard abdominal mass. Those pictures point elsewhere and should be seen by a clinician promptly. And critically: don't wait to see if bleeding "settles down" if you've had your last menopausal period. That specific pattern is the one that must be evaluated, without exception.

Symptoms by body area

Because a polyp lives inside the uterus, its symptoms tend to cluster in a few specific places. It helps to map the sensations you might be feeling:

• Uterine bleeding. The main event. Unpredictable timing, spotting between periods, heavier or longer flow than your baseline, or any bleeding after menopause. Track exactly what you're seeing — it's the most useful information you can bring to a doctor.
• Cramping or pelvic discomfort. Some people get mild cramping, particularly around bleeding episodes. Uterine polyps generally aren't a major pain condition — significant or severe pain points more toward other diagnoses like endometriosis or adenomyosis, which deserve their own workup.
• Vaginal discharge. A polyp that has outgrown its blood supply or become irritated may cause a thin, watery or lightly blood-tinged discharge. This isn't diagnostic, but it's worth mentioning to your clinician.

None of these symptoms is unique to polyps. They overlap with other conditions such as fibroids, hormonal changes in perimenopause, thyroid issues, or normal variation in your menstrual cycle phases. That's precisely why an ultrasound and a clinician's assessment matter — self-guessing among these is a losing game.

Who gets uterine polyps

Uterine polyps can develop at any age from the reproductive years through post-menopause, but a few patterns show up in the research consistently. Estimates suggest that around 10–30% of premenopausal people may have or develop a uterine polyp at some point, and rates are higher again in the years around and after menopause. Known and suspected risk factors include:

• Age, particularly the 40s and around menopause. Polyps become more common as people move through the perimenopausal transition and into the early postmenopausal years, when the endometrium is under changing hormonal signals.
• Tamoxifen. This medication, used in the treatment and prevention of certain breast cancers, has an estrogen-like effect on the uterus and clearly increases the risk of uterine polyps and other endometrial changes. Anyone taking tamoxifen should be under gynecological follow-up.
• Higher body weight and obesity. Adipose tissue produces extra estrogen, which is thought to drive endometrial overgrowth and polyp formation.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Certain HRT regimens, especially estrogen-dominant ones, can increase polyp risk. This is one of many good reasons HRT is individualized with a clinician.
• High blood pressure is associated in some studies, though the mechanism is less clear.

You'll notice a theme: estrogen exposure. Because endometrial polyps grow from hormonally responsive tissue, factors that increase estrogen effect on the uterus tend to increase polyp risk. That said, plenty of people with none of these risk factors still develop polyps, and having a risk factor doesn't mean you'll get one. It's context, not fate.

Risk of malignancy — what the numbers actually say

This is the question that keeps most people up at night, so let's be direct and evidence-aligned. The large majority of uterine polyps are benign. A small minority — studies suggest broadly in the low single-digit percentages overall — contain pre-cancerous changes (endometrial hyperplasia with atypia) or endometrial cancer. Two facts sharpen that picture in useful ways:

• The risk of a polyp being malignant or pre-malignant is meaningfully higher after menopause than before it.
• The risk is higher in polyps that cause bleeding than in silent, incidentally discovered ones.

What this means in practice: an incidentally-found, symptom-free polyp in a premenopausal person carries very low malignancy risk, and doctors will often just monitor it. A polyp causing bleeding in someone in their 50s, or any polyp in a postmenopausal person, gets removed and sent for pathology — because you cannot reliably tell benign from malignant on ultrasound alone. Removal is diagnostic and curative in the same procedure. That's a reassuring, well-worn pathway, not a scary one.

Most uterine polyps are benign. The reason clinicians take postmenopausal bleeding seriously is not that they think you have cancer — it's that the small proportion who do have something more serious cannot be identified without evaluation. That's why the rule is: always check.

How uterine polyps are diagnosed

Diagnosis is a step-by-step process, and it's almost always straightforward. Depending on what your clinician is looking for, some or all of the following may be used:

• Transvaginal ultrasound. Usually the first-line test. A small probe placed in the vagina gives a detailed view of the uterine cavity, uterine lining thickness and any focal growths. It's quick, non-surgical and well-tolerated. Some polyps are seen clearly; others are only hinted at.
• Saline infusion sonography (SIS), also called sonohysterography. A refinement of ultrasound in which a small amount of sterile saline is instilled into the uterine cavity to gently expand it, making polyps and other structures much easier to see. It's an outpatient office procedure.
• Hysteroscopy. The gold standard for evaluating the uterine cavity directly. A thin lighted camera is passed through the cervix, allowing the clinician to see polyps and other findings in real time. Hysteroscopy is often done at the same time as removal — see below.
• Endometrial biopsy. A small sample of the uterine lining is taken and sent to pathology. This is especially important when there's postmenopausal bleeding or a concern about the lining as a whole (not just a focal polyp).

The exact sequence depends on your symptoms, age, menopausal status and local practice. A common path is: ultrasound to see the lay of the land, then SIS or hysteroscopy if a polyp is suspected, then removal with pathology if treatment is warranted. Your clinician will tailor this — and it's a fair conversation to have with them about why each step is being suggested.

Treatment options for uterine polyps

Treatment is very individual, and the right choice depends on your symptoms, your age, whether you're postmenopausal, whether you're trying to conceive, and the size and number of polyps. The main options are:

Watchful waiting. Small, asymptomatic polyps in premenopausal people are sometimes simply monitored, because a proportion resolve on their own. Your clinician might suggest a repeat ultrasound after a few months rather than immediate intervention. This is a reasonable approach in the right circumstances — but it's a clinical decision, not a self-decision.

Hysteroscopic polypectomy. The standard treatment when removal is indicated. Using the same hysteroscope that visualizes the cavity, the surgeon removes the polyp with small instruments passed through it. The procedure is done under local, regional or general anesthesia depending on the setting; it's typically outpatient (you go home the same day), takes 15–45 minutes, and involves no external incisions. The removed tissue is sent for pathology to confirm it's benign. Success rates for symptom improvement are high, and complication rates are low.

Medications. There isn't a well-established medication that reliably shrinks or eliminates uterine polyps. Hormonal treatments may be used around the procedure or to manage related symptoms (for example, heavy bleeding), but they aren't a substitute for removing a polyp that needs to come out. Any medication decision belongs with your clinician.

Hysterectomy. Removal of the uterus is rarely necessary for polyps alone. It becomes a consideration when polyps recur repeatedly, when there's confirmed pre-cancerous or cancerous change, or when other significant uterine conditions coexist and warrant it. This is a major decision, not a first-line option, and it's always made with a specialist.

A useful comparison, especially because these conditions get muddled online, is how uterine polyps compare with the two other common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding — fibroids and endometrial hyperplasia:

Read that table as an orientation, not a self-diagnosis tool. Any of these conditions can produce overlapping bleeding patterns, and telling them apart is exactly what imaging and a gynecologist are for.

Uterine polyps and fertility

If you're trying to conceive and polyps have been mentioned, the question is: are these getting in the way? The honest answer is: sometimes. Polyps can affect fertility by disrupting the endometrium where an embryo would implant, by physically interfering with sperm transport if they're near the tubal openings or the cervix, and by contributing to a low-grade inflammatory environment in the cavity. Some research suggests that removing polyps can improve pregnancy chances, including in people undergoing IUI or IVF — though the effect size varies with study and situation.

The practical point: if you're actively trying to conceive and a polyp is found, the decision to remove it is a shared one between you and a fertility-aware clinician. Factors include polyp size, location, your age, how long you've been trying, and any other fertility factors in play. This is not a decision to make from a blog post — but it is a decision you can be well-prepared for by understanding the landscape and by tracking your cycles honestly. Recognizing your body's cues (see our guide to signs of ovulation) helps you and your specialist work together.

Uterine polyps and pregnancy

Discovering a polyp during pregnancy is uncommon, and small ones typically don't cause problems for the pregnancy itself. In most cases they're simply monitored, because most gynecologists prefer not to intervene inside a pregnant uterus unless there's a compelling reason. If a polyp is causing significant bleeding during pregnancy, or if there's another concern, your clinician will discuss the best course of action for your specific situation.

Polyps found after a pregnancy that involved bleeding, retained tissue or a difficult recovery are usually assessed once things have settled. If you're planning a next pregnancy after a polyp has been found or removed, that's a good conversation to have with your OB-GYN.

Recovery from hysteroscopic polypectomy

Hysteroscopic polypectomy is a minor, minimally invasive procedure, and recovery is usually quick — but a "quick" recovery still deserves some care. General patterns to expect:

• The first 24–48 hours. Mild cramping similar to a period, and light spotting or discharge. Simple pain relief (as advised by your clinician) usually handles the discomfort. Most people go home the same day and are back to gentle activity within a day or two.
• The first 1–2 weeks. Light bleeding or watery, blood-tinged discharge can continue for up to two weeks as the small area heals. Your clinician will typically advise avoiding tampons, sexual intercourse, swimming and vigorous exercise for a defined period — follow their specific instructions, not a general blog.
• Getting your period back. Your first period after polypectomy may arrive slightly earlier or later than usual, and may be lighter or heavier — one cycle is not a trend. Things usually normalize over the next few cycles.
• Pathology results. The removed tissue is sent to a lab; results typically take a week or two. Most come back reassuringly benign.

Warning signs after any polypectomy include heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in under an hour), fever, foul-smelling discharge, or severe pain. Any of these warrants a prompt call to your clinician or, if severe, urgent care.

When to see a doctor

Because uterine polyps overlap with a number of conditions and can occasionally hide something more serious, professional input isn't optional — it's essential. Please see a clinician if you notice:

• Any bleeding after menopause. This one is not negotiable. Postmenopausal bleeding always needs prompt evaluation, no matter how light or brief. The odds are that it's benign — but the specific reason has to be identified.
• Persistent spotting between periods or bleeding after sex.
• Periods that have become noticeably heavier or longer than your usual baseline.
• Cycles that have become distinctly more irregular over several months.
• Difficulty conceiving after trying for a while — polyps are one of many possible contributors, and worth ruling in or out.
• Any sudden, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, which always warrant prompt medical attention.

A gynecologist can evaluate you with a history, exam and appropriate imaging, and can move quickly from "we found something" to "here's what it is and what we do about it." The single most useful thing you can bring is an honest record of your own bleeding and cycle patterns over time.

How Vyve helps you track abnormal bleeding — privately

Knowledge about uterine polyps is one thing; having a clear, honest record of your own bleeding patterns is what actually changes appointments and decisions. That's the gap we built Vyve, the private on-device AI cycle tracker built by our team, to fill. And we want to be precise about what it is and isn't: Vyve is a tracking tool, not a diagnostic one. It does not diagnose uterine polyps, and it won't tell you whether you have one — but it will help you see your patterns clearly and hand your doctor real data.

The reason Vyve is genuinely useful in a polyp workup is that it captures the exact patterns clinicians ask about: cycle length and variability, days of bleeding, heaviness by day, spotting between periods, bleeding after sex, and any changes over time. Instead of the classic "I think it started a few weeks ago and it's been weird" story, you can hand your OB-GYN months of clean, timestamped data. That transforms the first appointment from a fishing expedition into a targeted conversation.

It also does this privacy-first: the AI runs on your device, your data is encrypted and stays on your phone, there's no required account, and nothing about your body is sold or shared. For something as personal as bleeding patterns, that isn't a nice-to-have — it's the whole point.

Frequently asked questions

What are uterine polyps?

Uterine polyps — also called endometrial polyps — are soft growths that develop from the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) and extend into the uterine cavity. They range from a few millimeters to several centimeters, can appear singly or in clusters, and are attached to the uterine wall by a stalk or a broad base. Most are non-cancerous. Cervical polyps grow lower down, from the cervix, and are usually visible on a routine exam. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong with a clinician.

What are the symptoms of uterine polyps?

The most common uterine polyp symptoms are irregular menstrual bleeding, spotting between periods, unusually heavy periods, and — importantly — any bleeding after menopause. Some people notice bleeding after sex or difficulty getting pregnant. Many uterine polyps cause no symptoms at all and are found incidentally on an ultrasound. Any postmenopausal bleeding always needs prompt medical evaluation.

Are uterine polyps cancerous?

The large majority of uterine polyps are benign (non-cancerous). A small proportion contain pre-cancerous or cancerous cells, and the risk is meaningfully higher after menopause and in polyps that cause bleeding. Because it isn't possible to tell for certain from an image alone, symptomatic polyps and postmenopausal polyps are usually removed and sent for pathology. Only a clinician can advise you on your individual risk.

How are uterine polyps treated?

Treatment depends on symptoms, age, fertility plans and whether you're post-menopausal. Small, asymptomatic polyps in premenopausal people are sometimes simply monitored. Symptomatic polyps, polyps affecting fertility, and any polyp in a postmenopausal person are usually removed by hysteroscopic polypectomy — a minimally invasive procedure that removes the polyp through the cervix using a thin camera. The removed tissue is sent for pathology. Your gynecologist will recommend the right approach for you.

Do uterine polyps affect fertility?

They can. Uterine polyps may interfere with fertility by disrupting the endometrial lining where an embryo would implant, by physically blocking sperm transport, or by contributing to inflammation. Removing polyps can improve pregnancy chances for some people, including those undergoing fertility treatment. If you're trying to conceive and polyps have been found, discuss the decision to remove them with your specialist.