Where can fibroids grow?
Health care providers put fibroids into three groups based on where they grow, such as just underneath the lining of the uterus, in between the muscles of the uterus, or on the outside of the uterus. Most fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus. Some fibroids grow on stalks (called peduncles) that grow out from the surface of the uterus, or into the cavity of the uterus.
Most fibroids grow in the wall of the uterus. Doctors put them into three groups based on where they grow: • Submucosal fibroids grow into the uterine cavity. • Intramural fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus. • Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. Some fibroids grow on stalks that grow out from the surface of the uterus or into the cavity of the uterus. They might look like mushrooms. These are called pedunculated fibroids.
Most fibroids grow in the wall of the uterus. Doctors put them into three groups based on where they grow: • Submucosal (sub-myoo-KOH-zuhl) fibroids grow into the uterine cavity. • Intramural (ihn-truh-MYOOR-uhl) fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus. • Subserosal (sub-suh-ROH-zuhl) fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. Some fibroids grow on stalks that grow out from the surface of the uterus or into the cavity of the uterus. They might look like mushrooms. These are called pedunculated (pih-DUHN-kyoo-lay-ted) fibroids. What are the symptoms of fibroids? Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but some women with fibroids can have: • heavy bleeding (which can be heavy enough to cause anemia) or painful periods • feeling of fullness in the pelvic area (lower stomach area) • enlargement of the lower abdomen • frequent urination • pain during sex • lower back pain • complications during pregnancy and labor, including a six-time greater risk of cesarean section • reproductive
