A cervical polyp is a small, finger-like growth that develops on the cervix, the narrow passage connecting the uterus to the vagina. These growths are almost always benign and affect up to 10% of women at some point. Most are discovered incidentally during a routine pelvic exam, often causing no symptoms at all.
Where Cervical Polyps Form
The cervix has two distinct zones of tissue. Endocervical polyps grow from the glandular tissue inside the cervical canal, the inner passageway leading up to the uterus. These are the more common type and tend to appear in premenopausal women. Ectocervical polyps grow from the outer surface of the cervix and are more frequently seen after menopause.
Most cervical polyps are small, ranging from a few millimeters to about two centimeters. They typically hang from a thin stalk, giving them a teardrop or bulb-like shape. Their color ranges from reddish-pink to grayish-white depending on blood flow. You can have a single polyp or several at once.
What Causes Them
The exact cause isn’t known, but three factors are consistently linked to their development. The first is an abnormal response to estrogen. Women with higher or fluctuating estrogen levels, including those who are pregnant or taking hormone-based medications, develop polyps more frequently. The second is chronic inflammation of the cervix, which can result from infections, irritation, or long-standing cervical conditions. The third is congestion of the small blood vessels in the cervix, where blocked or engorged vessels may trigger tissue overgrowth.
Cervical polyps are most common in women in their 40s and 50s who have had at least one pregnancy. They’re rare before the start of menstruation and uncommon in women who haven’t been pregnant.
Symptoms to Recognize
Many cervical polyps produce no symptoms and are only found when a doctor visually inspects the cervix during a pelvic exam. When symptoms do occur, the most common ones include:
- Bleeding after sex, which is often the first sign that prompts a visit to the doctor
- Bleeding between periods or spotting that doesn’t follow your normal cycle
- Unusually heavy periods
- Bleeding after menopause, which should always be evaluated regardless of the cause
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that may be white or yellow, sometimes foul-smelling
These symptoms overlap with other gynecological conditions, so experiencing them doesn’t automatically mean you have a polyp. But bleeding after sex or between periods is worth bringing up at your next appointment.
How They’re Diagnosed
Diagnosis is straightforward. During a pelvic exam, your doctor inserts a speculum and can usually see the polyp directly. Most polyps protrude from the cervical opening and are immediately visible. No imaging or special testing is needed for a typical-looking polyp.
If the polyp looks unusual in color, texture, or shape, your doctor may recommend a biopsy or cervical cell screening to rule out precancerous or cancerous changes. This is a precaution rather than a common finding. The vast majority of cervical polyps are benign, and malignancy is rare.
Cervical Polyps vs. Endometrial Polyps
These are sometimes confused, but they originate in different locations. Cervical polyps grow on the cervix itself and are usually visible during a standard pelvic exam. Endometrial polyps grow inside the uterine lining and typically require an ultrasound or a camera inserted into the uterus to detect. Endometrial polyps are more likely to affect fertility and have a slightly higher (though still low) rate of precancerous changes. If your doctor mentions a polyp, it’s worth clarifying which type they’re referring to, since the management differs.
How Removal Works
Small, symptom-free polyps don’t always need to be removed. Some doctors take a watch-and-wait approach, particularly if the polyp looks clearly benign. However, removal is common and is one of the simplest gynecological procedures.
For most cervical polyps, removal happens right in the office during a pelvic exam. The doctor grasps the polyp with a surgical instrument and gently twists it off at its stalk. For polyps with a broader base, a wire loop or heated tool may be used to scrape or cut the growth away. After the polyp is detached, an electrocautery device (a tool that uses electric current to generate heat) seals the site. This prevents bleeding and reduces the chance of the polyp growing back.
You’ll typically be awake for the procedure. Most women receive a combination of a local pain blocker and a mild sedative. You may feel pressure or a tugging sensation, but it shouldn’t be painful. General anesthesia is available but rarely necessary unless the removal is part of a larger surgical procedure. The whole process usually takes just a few minutes.
The removed tissue is sent to a lab for examination under a microscope. This step confirms the polyp is benign and rules out any abnormal cell changes.
Recovery After Removal
Recovery is quick. Most women experience mild cramping and light spotting for a few days after the procedure. You’ll likely be advised to avoid sexual intercourse and not to insert anything into the vagina (such as tampons) for a short period while the site heals. Normal activities, including work, can generally be resumed the same day or the next.
If you notice heavy bleeding, fever, or foul-smelling discharge in the days following removal, contact your doctor, as these could signal an infection or incomplete healing.
Recurrence After Removal
Cervical polyps can come back. Reported recurrence rates vary, with studies placing them between about 6% and 15%. A large retrospective study of over 1,100 removed polyps found a 15% recurrence rate. Recurrence doesn’t mean anything went wrong with the initial removal. It simply reflects the fact that whatever conditions encouraged the first polyp to grow (hormonal environment, chronic inflammation) may still be present. Routine pelvic exams will catch any new growths early.