Vaginal and cervical polyps are typically small, elongated, tear-shaped growths that appear bright red, pinkish-purple, or greyish-white. They have a smooth or slightly spongy texture and often dangle from a thin stalk, though some sit flat against the tissue. Most are small enough that you wouldn’t see or feel them on your own; they’re usually discovered during a routine pelvic exam when a provider uses a speculum to view the cervix and vaginal walls.
Color, Shape, and Size
The color of a polyp depends on its blood supply. A polyp with many blood vessels running through it tends to look bright red or cherry-colored. One with less blood flow may appear pinkish-purple or greyish-white. The surface is generally smooth and glistening, sometimes described as slightly spongy, similar to the surrounding mucous membrane tissue.
In shape, most polyps are elongated or tear-drop-like, hanging from a narrow stalk (called a pedicle) that attaches them to the vaginal wall or cervix. Some are rounder and sit on a broader base without a noticeable stalk. Polyps range widely in size, from a few millimeters (about the size of a sesame seed) up to a couple of centimeters. A large polyp originating from the cervical canal can sometimes protrude far enough to be visible at the vaginal opening, but this is uncommon.
Where Polyps Form
True vaginal wall polyps, meaning growths on the vaginal lining itself, are relatively rare. What most people call “vaginal polyps” are more often cervical polyps that grow from the cervix and dangle into the upper vaginal canal. These come in two types: those that develop on the outer surface of the cervix and those that grow inside the cervical canal (the more common variety). Because cervical canal polyps originate deeper, they may not be visible until they grow long enough to extend through the cervical opening.
Polyps that do form on the vaginal wall itself tend to be soft, flesh-colored skin tags. They’re often so small and painless that they go unnoticed for years. Their appearance is similar to skin tags found elsewhere on the body: a tiny flap of tissue that matches the surrounding skin or is slightly darker.
How Polyps Differ From Warts and Cysts
If you’ve noticed a bump in the vaginal area, it helps to understand how polyps compare to other common growths. Genital warts caused by HPV have a distinctly different texture. They appear as rough, raised bumps with an irregular, cauliflower-like surface, sometimes in clusters. Polyps, by contrast, are smooth or slightly glossy and almost always appear as a single growth rather than a group.
Vaginal cysts are another possibility. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that feel like a firm, round lump under the surface of the vaginal wall. Unlike a polyp, which protrudes outward and has a visible stalk or tag-like shape, a cyst sits beneath the tissue and is usually felt rather than seen. A polyp looks like something growing out of the surface; a cyst looks like something pushing up from underneath it.
Symptoms You Might Notice
Most polyps cause no symptoms at all, which is why they’re frequently found during routine gynecological exams rather than from something you feel. When symptoms do occur, the most common is light spotting or bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause. Some people notice a white or yellowish mucous discharge. Larger polyps can occasionally cause a sensation of pressure or fullness, though this is rare.
Pain is not a typical feature of polyps. If a growth in the vaginal area is painful, tender, or accompanied by fever, it’s more likely a cyst, abscess, or infection rather than a simple polyp.
How Polyps Are Found and Examined
During a pelvic exam, your provider inserts a speculum to open the vaginal walls and get a clear view of the cervix. Polyps are visible to the naked eye at this point, appearing as small, finger-like projections or rounded bumps on the cervical surface or protruding from the canal. If something looks unusual, a colposcopy may follow. This involves a lighted, magnifying device that provides a close-up view of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. A vinegar or iodine solution is sometimes applied to the tissue, which makes abnormal areas easier to distinguish from healthy tissue.
Any polyp that’s removed is typically sent to a lab for examination under a microscope. The vast majority of cervical and vaginal polyps are benign. Cancerous polyps are rare, but the lab analysis rules out precancerous or abnormal cells, which is why removal and testing are standard practice even when a polyp looks completely normal.
What Removal Looks Like
Removing a small polyp is usually quick and straightforward. For polyps on a thin stalk, a provider can often twist or grasp the base with a small instrument during a regular office visit, detaching it in seconds. You may feel a brief pinch or cramping. Larger polyps or those with a wide base may require a heated or frozen instrument to cut the tissue cleanly and minimize bleeding.
Recovery is minimal for most people. Light spotting or mild cramping for a day or two is normal afterward. Most people return to regular activities the same day. Polyps can sometimes recur, so follow-up exams help catch any new growth early.