Endometrial polyps during menopause: characterization and significance.
BACKGROUND
To characterize postmenopausal women with endometrial polyps and to evaluate their significance.


METHODS
The study population included all consecutive postmenopausal patients with a diagnosis of endometrial polyp, treated at our center over a two-year period. Demographic, medical and gynecological data were assessed with regard to the endometrial histologic findings.


RESULTS
Of the 146 eligible patients, 15 had endometrial hyperplasia (four with atypia); there were no cases of endometrial carcinoma. The 20 patients (13.7%) using hormone replacement therapy had a significantly higher rate of endometrial hyperplasia than non-hormone users (p<0.006). No differences were observed among the endometrial histological categories for any of the presenting symptoms and signs, ultrasonographic findings, or medical histories.


CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal endometrial polyp is a common, mostly benign entity. However, the relatively high rate of concomitant endometrial hyperplasia, especially in patients receiving hormone replacement therapy, dictates a thorough histological evaluation in all cases.
Orvieto
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Bar-Hava
I
I
Dicker
D
D
Bar
J
J
Ben-Rafael
Z
Z
Neri
A
A
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause; D012189:Retrospective Studies