I am diagnosed with polyps

I have been having irregular menses for over five months now.  Diagnoses confirmed that I have polyps. What are they and their causes? Rahama K. Polyps are outgrowths that protrude into the uterus and may cause pain and bleeding or prevent an embryo (product of conception) from implanting. That is the reason also for the […]

I have been having irregular menses for over five months now.  Diagnoses confirmed that I have polyps. What are they and their causes?
Rahama K.

Polyps are outgrowths that protrude into the uterus and may cause pain and bleeding or prevent an embryo (product of conception) from implanting. That is the reason also for the irregular menses and heavy flow. It can be cervical polyps (at the lowermost part of the uterus) or endometrial polyps, which is attached to the first layer of the uterus.
Cervical polyps are small, fragile growths that begin in either the mucosal surface of the cervix, or the end cervical canal and protrude through the opening of the cervix. The cause of cervical polyps is not clear.
However, they are often the result of an infection and many times associated with an abnormal response to increased estrogens levels or congestion of the blood vessels located in the cervix. Women most commonly affected by cervical polyps are those over the age of twenty who have had children. A simple outpatient office procedure that removes the growth, along with antibiotics, is the usual treatment for cervical polyps.
While endometrial polyps are typically non-cancerous growths that protrude from the lining of the uterus, the cause of endometrial polyps is unclear, although they are often associated with an excess of estrogens following hormone treatment or some types of ovarian tumours. Treatments for endometrial polyps include hysteroscopy and D&C. A pathology lab will evaluate endometrial polyps for cancer following removal. 

My body has too much hair
I am 32 years old, and my body has too much hair because of that, I am always shaving. What are the likely causes?
Worried married lady.

Excess hair is medically called hirsutism and, is an excess growth of thick terminal hair due to a rise level of androgen (a chemical agent being released from an organ just above the kidney). The hair is mostly seen in the upper lip, chin, chest, back, lower abdomen, thigh and fore arm.
Among the causes are:
1.    Idiopathic, which is often familial.
2.    Poly cystic ovarian syndrome : A condition whereby , there is some form of abnormal growth of the ovaries  and the patient presents with obesity , decrease menses or lack of it and inability to conceive (Infertility ) .
3.    Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A condition whereby a gland that is situated on top of the kidney (adrenal gland), it cells had undergone abnormal multiplication beyond what is regarded as normal. The patient presents with increase in pigmentation (darkening of the skin)
4.    Exogenous androgen administration: This is seen among athletes and those that want to develop muscles.
5.    Androgen-secreting tumour of the ovary or adrenal gland : A condition whereby the ovary or adrenal gland are producing androgen  and the patient presents with enlarged clitoris , deep voice , balding  and breast atrophy.
6.    Cushing syndrome: Raised level of another hormone (cortisol) being produced by the adrenal gland.

The most important thing for you is to identify the cause of the excess hair by visiting endocrinologist in a tertiary or specialist health centre who will evaluate you according to the aforementioned causes and constitute management.