Definition
By "uterine polyp" s "means a" soft growth attached to the inner wall of the uterus, protruding directly into the uterine cavity; the size of the polyps of the uterus varies from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. In some women, uterine polyps are formed in the form of complex aggregates, consisting of a set of small polyps; in other patients, however, a single large uterine polyp forms.
Causes
Uterine polyps essentially depend on the abnormal and excessive growth of endometrial cells. However, the main cause responsible for the formation of uterine polyps is not yet known; among the risk factors, hormonal variation seems to play a leading role in uterine polyposis.
Other risk factors: advanced age, genetic predisposition
Symptoms
As with intestinal polyps, uterine polyps are often asymptomatic and are randomly diagnosed by gynecological ultrasound. Otherwise, the symptoms related to uterine polyposis are: pain during intercourse, irregular menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, spotting, etc.), vaginal discharge in the menopausal period, infertility.
The information on Uterine Polyps - Drugs for the Treatment of Uterine Polyps is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Uterine Polyps - Drugs for the Treatment of Uterine Polyps.
Medicines
Small uterine polyps tend to self-resolve, without the need to take any medication; in any case, it is advisable to always keep them under control, in order to avoid a possible - albeit rare - evolution into neoplasia (cervical cancer).
In most cases, the gynecologist recommends the removal of uterine polyps, especially when they are large and responsible for considerable uterine bleeding.
Taking drugs does not represent the therapeutic option par excellence, given that at the end of the drug treatment, the probability that the polyp will recur is very high; however, the doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs such as:
Progestogens
- Norethindrone (eg Activelle): the recommended dose for the temporary treatment of uterine polyposis is one 5 mg tablet per day for 2 weeks. The dosage can be increased by 2.5 mg per day for two weeks, up to a max. of 15 mg per day. Therapy can be continued for 6-9 months, according to the doctor's instructions.
Gonadotropins (releasing hormone agonists)
- Leuprolide (eg Lupron): in case of uterine polyps, it is recommended to take 3.75 mg of the drug intramuscularly once a month for six months; alternatively, take 11.25 mg of leuprolide every 3 months.
- Goserelin (eg. Zoladex): indicated to alleviate the symptoms of uterine and endometrial polyposis (reduction of pain and lesions of the endometrium) at a dosage of 3.6 mg of drug subcutaneously (application to the abdominal wall) The 3.6 mg dose can be repeated every 28 days, as directed by the doctor. Generally, the application should be repeated 6 times (ideal total duration of therapy: 6 months).
We have seen that the drugs used in therapy for uterine polyps are reserved only for some patients and, in the majority of cases, carry out their therapeutic effect temporarily.
To completely resolve the polyposis, the patient should undergo some targeted surgeries, such as:
- Curettage: practice of medical competence consisting in scraping the uterine cervix with a special instrument. The curettage is carried out both for diagnostic confirmations and to extract a rather small polyp.
- Surgical removal: another invasive practice that consists in the complete surgical removal of the uterine polyp
- Hysterectomy: reserved exclusively for malignant neoplastic forms of uterine polyps: in other words, when a polyp contains cancer cells, the patient must undergo a hysterectomy, consisting in the total removal of the uterus.
It should be emphasized that uterine polyps can recur even after surgical treatment, especially in the event of a genetic predisposition; in this case, the woman will have to undergo a second operation.
