AAGL practice report: practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of endometrial polyps

Abstract

Endometrial polyps are a common gynecologic disease that may be symptomatic, with abnormal vaginal bleeding being the most common presentation. They may be found incidentally in symptom-free women investigated for other indications. Increasing age is the most important risk factor, with medications such as tamixifen also implicated. Specific populations at risk include women with infertility. Malignancy arising in polyps is uncommon, and specific risks for malignancy include increasing age and postmenopausal bleeding. Management may be conservative, with up to 25% of polyps regressing, particularly if less than 10 mm in size. Hysteroscopic polypectomy remains the mainstay of management, and there are no differences for outcomes in the modality of hysteroscopic removal. Symptomatic postmenopausal polyps should be excised for histologic assessment, and removal of polyps in infertile women improves fertility outcomes. Blind removal is not indicated where instrumentation for guided removal is available. Surgical risks associated with hysteroscopic polypectomy are low.