What is the ball-like thing growing inside the vagina?

On the one hand, the vagina, as a female sexual organ, is prone to diseases due to frequent entry of the penis. On the one hand, the vaginal opening is close to the urethral opening and anus, and is also extremely susceptible to bacterial infection and disease. The growth of a lump-like substance in the vagina can cause a variety of diseases, one of which is cervical polyps. Below, we will specifically discuss four issues: the causes of cervical polyps, main symptoms, how to treat them, and how to prevent them.

Cervical polyp is a manifestation of chronic cervicitis and is more common in married women. Due to long-term stimulation from chronic inflammation, the local mucosa of the cervical canal proliferates. Because the uterus has a tendency to expel foreign bodies, the proliferating mucosa can gradually protrude from the base to the external os of the cervix to form polyps. There are two types of cervical polyps: one that originates from the cervical mucosa, and the other that originates from the vaginal part of the cervix. Polyps can be single or multiple, of varying sizes, with diameters mostly less than 1 cm. Larger polyps may show certain clinical symptoms, while smaller polyps may have no symptoms and are only discovered during gynecological examinations. Cervical polyps have the possibility of malignant transformation (less than 1%). Once confirmed, polypectomy should be performed and the specimen should be sent for pathological examination.

Causes

1. Inflammatory factors

It is generally believed that it is caused by long-term stimulation of chronic inflammation. Long-term inflammatory stimulation causes excessive proliferation of the cervical mucosa. Coupled with the uterus's tendency to expel foreign bodies, the proliferative mucosa gradually protrudes from the base to the external os of the cervix to form polyps.

2. Endocrine disorders

Associated with high estrogen levels.

3. Pathogen infection

It is usually caused by childbirth, miscarriage, postpartum infection, surgical operation or mechanical stimulation, sexual intercourse that damages the cervix and causes infection due to the invasion of pathogens.

Clinical manifestations

Cervical polyps are easily overlooked. Because more than 1/3 of patients lack obvious symptoms, or only have mild symptoms and are ignored by patients.

1. Bleeding

It is mainly a small amount of spotting, bright red bleeding, or a small amount of bleeding after sexual intercourse. For a few people, the amount of bleeding may be similar to menstruation. It may also present as postmenopausal vaginal bleeding.

2. Abnormal leucorrhea

Some patients may have yellow leucorrhea, most of which have an odor or blood in the leucorrhea.

3. Others

Unmarried patients often present with prolapse of a swelling at the vaginal opening because the disease is discovered later.

treat

Cervical polyps are mainly treated with surgical removal to prevent recurrence due to incomplete treatment. Medication is only an auxiliary treatment.

1. Surgical Method

Polypectomy or transurethral resection may be performed. Clamp the polyp pedicle with a vascular clamp, rotate it in one direction, and twist it out. Small polyps can be removed with a vascular clamp and slight pressure can be applied to stop the bleeding, or a piece of gauze can be stuffed at the neck and removed after 24 hours. If the polyp is large and has a thick pedicle, the base end can be cauterized to stop bleeding after removal. If there are multiple lesions, the cervical canal can be slightly dilated and then scraped thoroughly, and a diagnostic curettage can be performed at the same time.

2. Postoperative precautions

Since polyps are prone to recurrence and may grow again after removal, they should be checked regularly and vaginitis should be actively treated. What should not be overlooked is that cervical smear examinations should be performed regularly to rule out malignant changes.

prevention

Cervical polyps can block the cervical opening and cause infertility; cause bleeding during sexual intercourse and affect sexual life; and are prone to recurrence after treatment. A small number of cervical polyps can become malignant and can easily be confused with some cervical cancers. Therefore, cervical polyps should be taken seriously and preventive measures should be taken.

1. Take good care of your health during menstruation, after childbirth or after miscarriage; pay attention to the cleanliness of the vulva, but do not use irritating detergents when cleaning the vulva.

2. Pay attention to sexual hygiene. Before sexual intercourse, both men and women should clean the vulva. Men with long foreskin should clean their penis thoroughly to prevent bacteria, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc. from "quietly" invading.

3. Actively treat gynecological inflammations such as cervicitis and vaginitis. Regular gynecological examinations are also very important.