If you’ve checked the box “bleeding between periods” or “irregular menstrual periods” on your health history form, your obgyn or fertility doctor may suspect a number of causes, including endometrial polyps. These overgrowths on the inside lining (endometrium) of the uterine wall are common and usually benign, but can interfere with your goal of getting pregnant.

Studies point to a connection between infertility and endometrial polyps.

One study found that when a polyp was removed, the pregnancy rate was 63%. However, if the polyp was not removed, the pregnancy rate was only 28%.

Another study suggests that polyps found where the fallopian tubes open into the uterus are more likely to be associated with difficulty in conceiving.

Two methods exist for diagnosing endometrial polyps.

One common diagnostic test for infertility, a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), provides an X-ray image of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Commonly performed to determine if the fallopian tubes are open, an HSG can also reveal abnormalities of the inside of the uterus, such as polyps, fibroids, adhesions, and/or a uterine septum.

Polyps can also sometimes be seen with a vaginal sonogram, particularly when performed in the mid portion of a woman’s menstrual cycle while she is ovulating. A vaginal sonogram may suggest the presence of something abnormal, typically either a polyp or uterine fibroid. Further tests will confirm the finding.

TFC employs a targeted approach to removing endometrial polyps.

When diagnostic tests suggest the presence of endometrial polyps, Texas Fertility Center physicians will recommend removing the lesion in an outpatient procedure called a hysteroscopy, and sending the specimen to the laboratory to confirm that it is benign.

Watch the hysteroscopic removal of a uterine polyp here.

As fertility specialists trained in performing delicate surgeries on the female reproductive system, our physicians prefer the precision of hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps to a D&C.  A D&C scrapes the entire uterine wall and can create scar tissue that could certainly prevent pregnancy. Texas Fertility Center prioritizes restoring the uterus and protecting and preserving fertility.

Endometrial polyps may be present even without abnormal bleeding, and are often an incidental finding during an infertility investigation. Underlying causes of infertility can remain undetected and untreated, causing months and years of frustration for couples trying to get pregnant. If you suspect a problem, contact a specialist at Texas Fertility Center.

For more information on uterine polyps visit http://txfertility.com/endometrial-polyps.php