Question"Hi , i just gave birth 5 moths back to a baby boy.Currently im breastfeeding and also giving formula milk. i have been having my regular period after my pregnancy. Recently, since last month friday i found out some spots of blood and even when i pass urine there is blood coming thru.Yesterday, they was blood together with some discharge. i went to see a gyne.according to the dr there its a polyps and he said sometimes occurs when a women is breastfeeding but its like 0.01% small n its not cancerours.Hence,he did mention tat i take tablets to remove the polys. He precribe me with norethisterone tablets to be taken 3 times a day 2 tabs for 4 days. after taking i will have a heavy flow of period and the polyps will go off BUT if im unlike then he has to do incerting a camera into my vagina to remove it . So my question is .. is this tablets save to use . as i read thru nets its stated that i should prevention lactation ..meaning i cant breastfeed? Can i pump? does this tablets is some sort contraception pills , will it effect if i want to get pregnant next year ? im abit worried.Pls let me know soon.. not sure how this polyps occurs in me tot its above 40-50 years old"
AnswerDear Michelle,
Uterine polyps are growths attached to inner wall of the uterus and protruding into the uterine cavity. Overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) leads to the formation of these uterine polyps. They are typically attached to the uterine wall by a large base or a thin stalk. You can have one or several uterine polyps. They usually stay contained within your uterus, but occasionally, they may slip down through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into your vagina. Although they can happen earlier, uterine polyps most commonly occur in women in their 40s and 50s.
Some women have no symptoms at all of uterine polyps, but some common signs of uterine polyps would include:
-Irregular menstrual bleeding - for example, having frequent, unpredictable periods of variable length and volume
-Bleeding between menstrual periods
-Excessively heavy menstrual periods
-Vaginal bleeding after menopause
-Infertility
Although we don't know what causes them, they appear to be estrogen-sensitive - meaning they respond to estrogen in the same way that the lining of your uterus does. Risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure and a history of cervical polyps. Taking tamoxifen or hormone replacement therapy can also increase the risk of uterine polyps.
Treatment choices would include:
- Watchful waiting - Small, asymptomatic polyps may resolve on their own. Treatment is unnecessary unless you're at risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer.
- Medication - Certain hormonal medications, including progestins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, may shrink a uterine polyp and lessen symptoms. But taking such medications is usually a short-term solution at best - symptoms can recur once you stop taking the medicine.
- Surgical removal (excision) - If you undergo hysteroscopy, instruments inserted through the hysteroscope - the device your doctor uses to see inside your uterus - make it possible to cut away and remove polyps once they're identified. The removed polyp may be sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination.
- Hysterectomy - If closer examination reveals that a uterine polyp contains cancerous cells, surgery to remove your uterus (hysterectomy) becomes necessary.
Uterine polyps, once removed, can recur. It's possible that you might need to undergo treatment more than once if you experience recurring uterine polyps.
The norethisterone being used to treat the polyps is also an oral contraceptive. Oral contraceptives pass into the breast milk and can change the content or lower the amount of breast milk. Also, they may shorten a woman's ability to breast-feed by about 1 month, especially when the mother is only partially breast-feeding. Because the amount of hormones is so small in low-dose contraceptives, your doctor may allow you to begin using an oral contraceptive after you have been breast-feeding for a while. However, it may be necessary for you to use another method of birth control or to stop breast-feeding while taking oral contraceptives. However, taking this now should not in any way affect your ability to conceive again next year once you stop taking it.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
