Endocervical Polyp: Understanding Your Pathology Report

By Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
May 15, 2026

An endocervical polyp is a noncancerous growth in the cervix. These growths develop inside the endocervical canal, the passage that connects the uterus to the vagina. Endocervical polyps are made up of mucus-producing endocervical glands and supporting tissue called stroma. They are called polyps because they project outward from the surface of the cervix, creating a finger-like or rounded shape that can sometimes be seen during a pelvic examination. Endocervical polyps are very common, especially in people between the ages of 30 and 50, and they are often discovered by chance during a routine Pap test or pelvic exam. This article will help you understand the findings in your pathology report, what each term means, and why it matters for your care.

What causes endocervical polyps?

The exact cause of endocervical polyps is not fully understood. Polyps are thought to develop when endocervical glands overgrow in response to ongoing irritation, hormonal changes, or inflammation. Several factors are associated with a higher chance of developing endocervical polyps:

Chronic inflammation — Long-standing inflammation of the cervix can stimulate overgrowth of glandular tissue and the formation of a polyp.
Hormonal influence — Higher levels of estrogen may promote growth of the endocervical glands. Polyps are more common during reproductive years and during pregnancy.
Local irritation — Mechanical irritation from devices such as an intrauterine device (IUD), or chemical irritation from products used in the vagina, may contribute.
Prior cervical infections — People with a history of cervical infections appear to develop polyps more often.
Prior pregnancies — Endocervical polyps are more common in people who have been pregnant.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with endocervical polyps have no symptoms, and the polyp is found only during a routine examination. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding — Bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause is the most common symptom.
Vaginal discharge — Discharge may be clear, yellow, or blood-tinged.
Bleeding noticed during a Pap test or pelvic exam — The polyp may bleed easily when touched during the examination.

Although these symptoms may be bothersome, endocervical polyps themselves are not dangerous.

How is the diagnosis made?

The diagnosis of an endocervical polyp is usually made after the polyp is removed and sent to a pathologist for examination under the microscope. Some polyps are removed because they are causing symptoms, while others are removed during a routine examination because they are visible on the cervix. Removal is typically simple and can often be performed in the doctor’s office. The removed tissue is examined microscopically to confirm that the growth is a benign polyp and to ensure there are no precancerous or cancerous changes.

What does an endocervical polyp look like under the microscope?

Under the microscope, an endocervical polyp is made up of large, mucus-producing glands surrounded by stroma. The stroma often contains many blood vessels, and these blood vessels may have thicker walls than normal. The surface of the polyp is covered by the same lining cells that are normally found in the endocervical canal. Many polyps also show areas of chronic inflammation in the stroma, which is consistent with the long-standing irritation thought to drive their formation.

In some cases, an endocervical polyp also contains glands of the type normally found in the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). When both endocervical and endometrial glands are present, the growth is called a mixed endocervical and endometrial polyp. Like a typical endocervical polyp, this mixed type is also benign.

What other findings may be reported?

In rare cases, precancerous changes or cancer can develop within an endocervical polyp or in the cervical tissue surrounding it. This is one of the reasons all removed polyps are examined under the microscope. When the pathologist evaluates the polyp, they also look for other findings that can occur in the cervix, and that would be reported alongside the polyp diagnosis.

Other findings may include:

Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) — A mild precancerous change in the squamous cells of the cervix, usually caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) — A more serious precancerous change that has a meaningful risk of progressing to cervical cancer if left untreated.
Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) — A precancerous change in the glandular cells of the cervix, also caused by HPV.
HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma — The most common type of cervical cancer, which develops from squamous cells.
HPV-associated adenocarcinoma — A cervical cancer that develops from glandular cells.

If any precancerous or cancerous change is found, it will be reported in your pathology report alongside the polyp diagnosis, and your doctor will discuss the next steps with you.

What happens after this diagnosis?

Most endocervical polyps are simply removed during a pelvic examination. Removal is typically straightforward, can often be done in the doctor’s office, and serves as both the diagnosis and the definitive treatment for the polyp itself. If the pathology report confirms a benign endocervical polyp and the polyp was completely removed, no further specific treatment is usually needed.

The discussion between you and your doctor about the next steps depends on what was found:

Benign polyp, completely removed — No further specific treatment is generally needed. Your doctor may recommend continued routine cervical cancer screening on the usual schedule.
Benign polyp causing recurrent symptoms — Because polyps can occasionally come back, your doctor may discuss closer follow-up if symptoms such as bleeding return after removal.
Precancerous change found within the polyp or nearby tissue — The doctor will discuss additional testing, such as colposcopy with biopsy, and any treatment options that are appropriate for the specific precancerous change identified.
Cancer found within the polyp — Although rare, if cancer is identified, you will be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for staging and discussion of treatment options.

Questions to ask your doctor

Was the polyp completely removed?
Was the polyp benign, or did the pathologist find any precancerous or cancerous changes?
Was the polyp a typical endocervical polyp or a mixed endocervical and endometrial polyp?
Was there any inflammation or infection noted in the surrounding tissue?
Do I need additional testing, such as HPV testing or colposcopy?
What is the chance that the polyp will come back?
What symptoms should prompt me to contact you about a possible recurrence?
Do I need any change to my cervical cancer screening schedule?
Could the polyp be related to my IUD, hormone therapy, or another medication I am using?
If a precancerous change was found, what does that mean for me and what are the next steps?