Marla Ahlgrimm | Cervical Polyps

Women experience many health conditions that men can’t. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that cervical polyps are one of these. But, what are they, and how do you know if you have them? 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, cervical polyps are small benign growths inside of the cervical canal. The cervical canal is the passageway between the uterus and vagina. Cervical polyps can come in many different shapes and can grow up to a couple of centimeters long. They are extremely common but mostly so in women that have had more than one child. 

Signs 

 

Cervical polyps often exist without any signs or symptoms. It is not uncommon for a woman to go for an annual Pap smear only to find that she has one or more polyps. Marla Ahlgrimm further explains that women that have symptoms may mistakenly attributes things like heavy periods, bleeding after sex, and vaginal discharge to other causes. 

 

Causes 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm notes that doctors are not 100% certain what causes cervical polyps. There are many theories including clogged blood vessels, estrogen response, systemic chronic inflammation, and certain types of cervical infections. 

 

Treatment 

When a woman is diagnosed with a cervical polyp, often during a pelvic exam, the first course of action is to take a biopsy. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this is to confirm that the polyp is not actually cancer. Doctors can remove polyps fully using a specialized tool during a procedure that may feel a lot like a slightly more invasive and uncomfortable Pap smear. Local anesthesia is often used, and polyps typically don’t return. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm says that polyps cannot be prevented. But, she assures women that they are usually harmless and notes that an outpatient surgery can remove existing polyps permanently.