Uterine Polyps and Infertility

Infertility is defined as being unable to conceive after trying for at least one year. If you are 35 or older, infertility is defined after six months of trying and then failing to conceive. In the United States, about 10 percent of women between 15 and 44 years of age will experience infertility. A uterine polyp is a growth that attaches to the inner uterine wall and protrudes into the uterine cavity. They develop as a result of the cells in the endometrium overgrowing.

Uterine Polyps and Infertility

When you have no uterine polyp symptoms, but are infertile, there is a three to five percent chance you have what are referred to as asymptomatic polyps. It is more likely you have polyps if you are experiencing abnormal bleeding.

Sometimes these polyps can work in a manner similar to an intrauterine device and prevent a fertilized egg from being able to implant itself in your uterine wall. They can also work to prevent sperm from being able to travel into the fallopian tube to meet the egg by blocking where the uterine cavity and fallopian tube meet. They can block sperm from entering the uterus at all by blocking the cervical canal. For some women, uterine polyps may play a role in miscarriage.

If uterine polyps are causing infertility, removing them may help in conceiving. Some women found themselves able to conceive by simply having the polyps removed. Some women had the polyps removed and then had artificial insemination and were then able to conceive.

Am I at Risk for Developing Uterine Polyps?

We still do not know exactly what causes uterine polyps, but we do know that they are sensitive to estrogen, a hormone. The following factors may put you at a higher risk for developing uterine polyps: being pre- or peri-menopausal, formerly or currently taking an anti-estrogen medication, being between 40 and 50 years of age and obesity. Less than one percent of uterine polyps are associated with cancer.

Signs, Symptoms and Complications of Uterine Polyps

Signs and symptoms of uterine polyps may include irregular menstrual bleeding, excessively heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between menstrual periods, vaginal bleeding after menopause and infertility.

Infertility Risk Factors

In addition to uterine polyps, other factors may contribute to infertility. These may include age, excess alcohol use, poor diet, being underweight or overweight, smoking, sexually transmitted diseases, stress, athletic training and health problems that may cause hormonal changes, like primary ovarian insufficiency and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Can Infertility be Treated?

When it comes to uterine polyps, removing them is often effective for many women. If you have had your polyps removed and have still not conceived there are other treatments you can discuss with your doctor. These include medicine, artificial insemination, surgery or assisted reproductive technology. In most cases, your doctor will combine more than one treatment to help you conceive. To best recommend the specific infertility treatment regimen for you, your doctor will look at the following: test results, how long you have been trying to conceive with your partner, you and your partner's overall health, how old both you and your partner are and the preference of both you and your partner.

After you have surgery to remove any uterine polyps, you will most likely begin with trying medications to see if these help you to conceive. If you fail to conceive taking the medications you and your doctor will reevaluate and work on a new treatment plan.

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Resources

Mayo Clinic: Uterine Polyps

The National Women's Health Information Center: Infertility