Can endometrial polyps cause infertility?

  Two small polyps in the endometrium may cause infertility. Endometrial polyps may not only affect the union of sperm and egg, but may also affect the local blood supply to the endometrium, interfering with the fertilized egg’s implantation and development. If endometrial polyps are combined with infection, they may change the environment in the uterine cavity, which is not conducive to sperm survival and fertilized egg implantation. Patients with infertility may want to check the endometrium for polyps if there are no other abnormalities. If hysteroscopy is used, it is best for the patient to have it done within a week after menstruation because the endometrium is thinner at that time and does not easily cover the polyps.  Medically, an endometrial polyp is a localized overgrowth of endometrial glands and mesenchyme and accompanying blood vessels that protrudes into the uterine cavity, and is a common benign intrauterine lesion in gynecology. It can grow anywhere in the uterine cavity, either singly or diffusely throughout the uterus. Small endometrial polyps are only 0.2~0.3 cm, while large ones are 2~3 cm or larger and can be ovoid, triangular or irregular in shape, most of them have a tip at the root.  The reasons for the formation of endometrial polyps may be related to inflammation, endocrine disorders, especially high estrogen levels in the body. Patients with endometrial polyps may have the following manifestations: menstrual disorders, increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual periods, and bleeding that is sometimes more or less frequent and dripping. Large endometrial polyps or polyps that protrude into the cervical canal are prone to infection and necrosis, causing irregular vaginal bleeding and foul-smelling bloody discharge.  In contrast, patients with single, smaller endometrial polyps are often asymptomatic. Endometrial polyps are often difficult to detect clinically due to the lack of typical and constant symptoms. The incidence of endometrial polyps is high in women with infertility, and pregnancy rates increase after removal of polyps.  To date, the mechanism of infertility caused by endometrial polyps is not well understood. According to research, it may be related to the following aspects: first, endometrial polyps are located at the uterine horn, blocking the opening of the fallopian tube and affecting the sperm upstream and egg union; second, huge and multiple endometrial polyps affect the local endometrial blood supply and interfere with fertilized egg implantation and development; third, endometrial polyps combined with infection change the environment in the uterine cavity, which is not conducive to sperm survival and fertilized egg implantation.  Treatment: Hysteroscopy can observe the uterine cavity under direct vision, which is intuitive and clear. After excluding endometrial cancer and other malignant lesions in the uterine cavity, single, small endometrial polyps can be removed directly under direct vision of the hysteroscope, while for patients with multiple foci, young and with fertility requirements, comprehensive scraping can be done under the hysteroscope, which can avoid missed scraping. For patients with fertility requirements, endometrial polyps can be treated completely while maintaining the integrity of the uterus.