Polyps and uterine fibroids are both abnormal growths. The main difference is the type of tissue of which they’re made. Symptoms and treatment options may vary.
Fibroids are made up of thick muscle tissue (myometrium), and are commonly found in or on the uterus. Polyps can occur in many places in the body, but when they occur in the uterus they’re made from the tissue lining of the uterus (endometrial tissue).
The uterus is a pear-shaped reproductive organ that supports the development of a fetus during pregnancy. Both uterine fibroids and polyps attach to the wall of the uterus.
Both conditions can cause symptoms, such as:
- heavy menstrual periods
- cramping
- bleeding between periods (spotting)
- pregnancy complications
Many people with uteruses have fibroids at some point in their lives, but may not know about them as they don’t always cause symptoms. Polyps tend to be more serious and, in rare cases, can lead to cancer.
Learn more about the differences and similarities of these two conditions.
Both
| Symptom | Fibroids | Polyps |
| spotting (bleeding between periods) | x | x |
| heavy periods | x | x |
| pain or cramps | x | x |
| longer periods (more than 7 days) | x | x |
| complications during pregnancy | x | x |
| infertility | x | x |
| potential to cause cancer (rare) | X | x |
| unusual vaginal discharge | x | |
| bleeding after menopause | x | x |
| pain in the lower back | x | |
| increased urination | x | |
| swelling of the abdomen | x | |
| pelvic pain or pressure | x | |
| constipation | x | |
| unusual weight gain | x |
For some people, uterine fibroids and polyps may not cause any symptoms.
The causes of fibroids and polyps aren’t fully understood. However, they may be related to:
- changes in hormone levels, particularly the hormones estrogen and progesterone
- obesity, as this can cause higher levels of estrogen in the blood
- side effects from the breast cancer medication tamoxifen
Additional causes for fibroids
Uterine fibroids are
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Black women may also be at a higher risk of having fibroids and experiencing more severe symptoms compared with white women.
Relationship between endometriosis and polyps
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (known as the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. The displaced tissue thickens and bleeds during menstruation, but since it’s located outside the uterus, it has no way to exit the body. This can lead to scarring that may fuse organs together, causing painful inflammation.
Both endometriosis and polyps involve abnormal overgrowth of the endometrium, and both are likely related to estrogen. However, polyps don’t grow outside the uterus. Polyps attach to the inner wall of the uterus by a base or a thin stalk.
Many people with fibroids never receive a diagnosis because the condition often occurs without any symptoms. Occasionally, a doctor may be able to feel a fibroid during a regular pelvic exam.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like bleeding, pain, or irregular menstruation, discuss this with a healthcare professional. They can consider further testing depending on your symptoms and health history.
Since the symptoms of fibroids and polyps are similar, a doctor will likely need to perform a few different tests to find out if you have fibroids, polyps, or another condition with similar symptoms, like endometriosis or ovarian cysts.
These tests may include:
- transvaginal ultrasound, an imaging test used to visualize the uterine cavity
- hysteroscopy, where a doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera into the uterus
- endometrial tissue biopsy, when a small sample of the polyp is taken and sent to a laboratory for evaluation under a microscope
- other imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan
Small polyps and fibroids may go away on their own, but when they cause heavy or painful menstrual periods, you may need treatment to stop the bleeding.
Both polyps and fibroids can be treated with surgery, medications that manage hormones, or both. But there are differences in the types of techniques used.
Treatments for fibroids
Medications may help manage symptoms, or they may be used as an option prior to surgery to help control bleeding. Medication options include:
- birth control pills
- antiestrogens, such as raloxifene
- gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists)
- intrauterine devices (IUDs)
In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery. The surgical procedure to remove fibroids is known as a myomectomy. A myomectomy can be done in a variety of ways:
- abdominal myomectomy
- laparoscopic myomectomy
- hysteroscopic myomectomy
Treatments for polyps
A doctor may recommend medications temporarily if polyps are small and not causing symptoms. Medication may also be recommended following surgery to prevent recurrence. Examples include GnRH agonists and IUDs.
Surgical treatment options for polyps may include:
- polypectomy to remove the polyp
- endometrial ablation to prevent recurrence if you don’t plan to have any (more) children
- hysterectomy to remove the entire uterus (if cancer is detected)
Fibroids and polyps aren’t life threatening, but if left untreated, symptoms can worsen and cause discomfort that can negatively affect your quality of life.
Both fibroids and polyps can make it more difficult to become pregnant. If you’re already pregnant, fibroids and polyps can increase your chances of having complications like placental abruption or preterm delivery.
Heavy bleeding associated with fibroids or polyps can also lead to anemia.
Here are some answers to common questions about polyps and fibroids.
Small polyps and fibroids may go away on their own. Depending on your symptoms, a doctor might recommend monitoring the polyps or fibroids and delaying treatment, including surgery, to see if they shrink over time.
Both gynecologists and OB/GYNs can treat fibroids and polyps.
You can’t prevent polyps and fibroids unless you have a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus).
Polyps and uterine fibroids can cause similar symptoms and can sometimes be mistaken for each other. Both conditions are caused by growths of tissue in the uterus. The main difference between the two is the type of tissue involved.
Since the symptoms are so similar between fibroids and polyps, the only way to get a proper diagnosis of either condition is to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist for more testing.
Treatment options for fibroids and polyps are different and depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your quality of life. Once you have a diagnosis, a doctor will come up with a treatment plan that works best for your individual case.