What is a hymenal polyp?
A hymenal polyp is a small growth on your hymen. Your hymen is a ring of thin tissue around your vagina.
Hymenal polyps look like small stalks. They are present at birth and usually disappear a few weeks later.
They typically don’t cause any health problems but may cause bleeding or spotting if they tear. Almost all hymenal polyps are benign (not cancerous).
What is the difference between a hymenal polyp and a hymenal tag?
Many people confuse hymenal polyps and tags. Hymenal polyps are small growths in your hymen that are present at birth. Hymenal tags are pieces of extra tissue that shoot off from your hymen.
Hymenal tags are often remnants of tissue from a broken hymen. Women and people assigned female at birth may get hymenal tags after:
- Bicycling, horseback riding or any activity that includes straddling.
- Injuries, such as a hard fall with legs open.
- Penetrative sex.
- Tampon use.
- Vaginal childbirth.
What causes a hymenal polyp?
Experts don’t know exactly what causes hymenal polyps. Hymenal polyps are congenital (present at birth). They form because a cluster of cells turns into an irregular growth.
What are the symptoms of a hymenal polyp?
Often, hymenal polyps cause no symptoms. If they tear or get injured, they may cause vaginal spotting or bleeding.
How is a hymenal polyp diagnosed?
In babies, healthcare providers may diagnose a hymenal polyp by looking at it. Babies don’t usually need further testing.
In adults, healthcare providers diagnose hymenal polyps during a pelvic exam. You may have additional tests to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions. Tests may include:
How are hymenal polyps treated?
Hymenal polyps usually go away without treatment. Often, if a baby is born with a hymenal polyp, the growth disappears after several weeks. In most children, the polyps go away by age 3.
Rarely, the polyps may keep growing as you get older. They may rub against clothing and cause discomfort. If discomfort is mild, you don’t need to remove hymenal polyps.
What is hymenal polyp removal?
If symptoms interfere with daily life or you want a hymenal polyp removed for cosmetic reasons, speak with a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may offer hymenal polyp removal.
During removal, your provider:
- Gives you medication to numb the area.
- Uses a small surgical tool to remove the growth.
- Closes the wound with one or two stitches, if needed.
- Applies a chemical to stop any bleeding.
How can I prevent a hymenal polyp?
There’s no way to prevent a hymenal polyp. The good news is that they aren’t cancerous and don’t usually cause symptoms.
What is the outlook if I have a hymenal polyp?
Most of the time, hymenal polyps don’t cause any symptoms or interfere with your life. They usually go away on their own in early childhood. If a polyp lingers and causes symptoms, you may have it removed.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you or your baby has a hymenal polyp, it doesn’t usually need treatment. See a healthcare provider if you or your baby has:
- Bleeding or spotting.
- A polyp that extends and rubs against clothing.
- A polyp that keeps growing.
Can a newborn have a hymenal polyp?
Yes. Hymenal polyps are present at birth, so a newborn can have them.
Can you get a hymenal polyp after childbirth?
No. Hymenal polyps are present at birth and not caused by childbirth. Some women may have hymenal tags after delivering a baby vaginally.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A hymenal polyp is an irregular growth that extends from your hymen. Your hymen is the tissue that surrounds your vagina. Hymenal polyps are present at birth, and experts don’t know exactly what causes them. In contrast, hymenal tags can appear as you get older and may form after an injury or from leftover tissue after intercourse stretches the hymen. Hymenal polyps are not cancerous and usually don’t need treatment. Most of the time, the growths disappear on their own.