If you’ve been dealing with heavy periods, unexpected spotting, or ongoing pelvic discomfort, you may feel frustrated and unsure what’s causing it. Polyps and uterine fibroids can often cause symptoms like these.
The truth is, while both are common and typically noncancerous, polyps and fibroids are very different conditions that require different approaches to treatment. Learning more about what sets them apart can help you make informed decisions about your care and feel more confident about your next steps.
This month, the Fresno Fibroid Center team created this guide to explain the difference between polyps and fibroids.
Uterine polyps are soft growths that develop in the lining of your uterus (endometrium). They are usually benign and can range in size from very small to large enough to fill part of the uterine cavity.
If you have polyps, you may experience irregular or unpredictable bleeding, spotting between periods, heavier menstrual flow, or even bleeding after menopause. In some cases, polyps cause no symptoms at all and are only discovered during routine exams or imaging.
Uterine fibroids are firm, muscular growths that develop within or on the walls of your uterus. Like polyps, they are typically noncancerous, but they tend to be larger and can grow in different areas of your uterus.
Fibroids often cause heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure, bloating, frequent urination, and pain during intercourse. Large fibroids that press on different organs can also lead to constipation or incontinence.
Fibroids are also very common. In fact, up to 80% of women have them before they turn 50.
The main difference between polyps and fibroids comes down to where they grow and how they affect your body. Polyps form in your uterine lining and are usually softer and smaller, which can lead to irregular bleeding.
Fibroids, on the other hand, grow in the muscle of your uterus, tend to be firmer and larger, and are more likely to cause pressure, pain, and heavy periods.
Because these conditions behave differently, getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in choosing the right treatment.
You can’t tell for sure whether you have polyps or fibroids just by reviewing your symptoms.
To find out if they’re caused by polyps or fibroids, Dr. Benjamin Pruett, Dr. Sean Tower, Dr. Brian Ng, and Dr. Ashkan Behzadi may recommend imaging or in-office procedures such as ultrasound, saline ultrasound (sonohysterography), or hysteroscopy.
These tools allow your Fresno Fibroid Center provider to evaluate the size, location, and type of growth so you can receive the most effective care.
Your treatment plan depends on your symptoms, overall health, and personal goals.
If you have polyps, you may need a hysteroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that removes the growths directly from your uterine lining. During hysteroscopic polypectomy, your fibroids are snipped out with medical scissors.
Treatment for fibroids is different. If you have fibroids, your treatment may include medication or advanced options such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), which shrinks fibroids by blocking their blood supply without the need for major surgery.
At Fresno Fibroid Center, your care focuses on minimally invasive, uterus-preserving treatments whenever possible. Our team specializes in trans-radial UFE. During this procedure, we access the blood vessels that feed your fibroids from a tiny incision in your left wrist.
If you’re experiencing heavy or irregular periods, don’t brush it off. What may seem like a minor inconvenience could be your body signaling an underlying condition that can be treated.
At Fresno Fibroid Center, you receive personalized, expert care designed to get to the root of your symptoms. Dr. Pruett, Dr. Tower, Dr. Ng, and Dr. Behzadi will take the time to evaluate your condition and guide you toward the most effective, least invasive treatment options, so you can feel better and get back to your life.
To schedule a consultation with our team, click here or call us at 559-216-0746.
