Can Fibroid Tumors Be Outside the Uterus?

AS

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Aaron Shiloh, MD

Interventional Radiologist and Fibroid Specialist
Reviewed: November 2026

Yes, a fibroid tumor can grow outside the uterus. Doctors call these growths subserosal fibroids. They develop on the outer surface of the womb instead of inside the uterine cavity. Learning you have one can raise pressing questions, like what symptoms to expect, how it affects pregnancy, and which treatments make sense. Exploring the clinical evidence can help you understand your options and decide how to move forward.

What Is a Subserosal Fibroid?

A subserosal fibroid is a noncancerous growth. It forms just under the serosa, the smooth outer layer of the uterus. It pushes outward into the pelvic space instead of growing into the uterine cavity.^[1] Some subserosal fibroids attach broadly to the uterine wall. Others grow on a thin stalk, which doctors call a pedunculated fibroid, since it hangs off the uterus like a mushroom on a stem.

This outside-the-uterus spot is one of three main fibroid types. Intramural fibroids grow inside the muscle wall. Submucosal fibroids bulge into the uterine cavity. Reading about the different types of fibroids can help explain why two women with fibroids can feel very different symptoms. Did your provider find a subserosal fibroid on an ultrasound or MRI? Learning what subserosal fibroids are can help you know what to expect next.

What Symptoms Do Fibroids Outside the Uterus Cause?

A subserosal fibroid grows outward. So its symptoms usually come from pressure on nearby organs, not from the uterine lining. Common symptoms include pelvic pressure, a feeling of fullness, and frequent urination. Other symptoms can include trouble fully emptying the bladder, constipation, bloating, and lower back pain. A large fibroid can sometimes cause a visible bulge in the lower belly.

How much a fibroid bothers you often depends on its size and spot, not just its type. A small subserosal fibroid may cause no symptoms at all. A larger one pressing on the bladder or bowel can feel uncomfortable enough to disrupt daily life. An ultrasound can usually find a fibroid outside the uterus. An MRI may give a clearer picture of its size and location.

Can Fibroids Outside the Uterus Cause Bleeding?

Subserosal fibroids are less likely to cause heavy periods than fibroids inside the uterine cavity. They do not sit against the uterine lining.^[2] Still, heavy bleeding can happen. This is especially true if you have more than one fibroid type at once, which is common.

Do you have heavy or long periods along with a subserosal fibroid? Ask a fibroid specialist if another fibroid type may also be present. Your bleeding pattern, more than the fibroid’s location alone, usually guides what further testing makes sense.

Can Fibroids Outside the Uterus Affect Pregnancy?

Many women with a subserosal fibroid get pregnant and carry a healthy pregnancy. Research on fibroids and pregnancy has found that subserosal fibroids usually do not raise the risk of early pregnancy loss by much. This is different from fibroids that push into the uterine cavity. Those fibroids, called submucosal fibroids, carry a higher risk.^[3]

This does not mean you should ignore a subserosal fibroid while planning a pregnancy. A fibroid can still grow during pregnancy as hormone levels rise. Your doctor may want to watch it more closely for comfort and growth. This depends on its size and spot. If you are pregnant or hoping to conceive and have a subserosal fibroid, our fibroids and fertility resource covers this in more depth. A specialist can also help you decide what monitoring fits your situation.

How Are Fibroids Outside the Uterus Treated?

A fibroid does not always need treatment just because it sits outside the uterus. Many small subserosal fibroids with no symptoms are simply watched over time with regular imaging. Treatment becomes worth discussing when a fibroid causes bothersome pressure, grows quickly, or starts affecting your daily life.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive option. It can treat fibroids no matter where they sit on or in the uterus, including subserosal and pedunculated fibroids.^[4] During the procedure, a physician guides a thin catheter into the uterine arteries. The physician then places tiny particles that block blood flow to the fibroid. Without that blood supply, the fibroid stops growing. It often shrinks over time. This can ease pressure symptoms like bladder frequency or bloating. UFE preserves the uterus. It is done on an outpatient basis and does not need a large cut. A fibroid specialist at a USA Fibroid Centers location near you can review your imaging. Together, you can talk through whether UFE may fit your fibroid.

Treatment option: UFE

You Do Not Have to Just Monitor and Wait

Finding out a fibroid is growing outside your uterus can bring up a lot of questions, especially about pressure symptoms and pregnancy plans. You do not have to simply wait and see how things develop.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a minimally invasive, outpatient option that can treat fibroids no matter where they sit on or in the uterus. A fibroid specialist can help you understand whether UFE may be right for your situation.

Find the Location Closest to You

FAQs About Fibroids Outside the Uterus

Can fibroids grow outside of the uterus?

Yes. These are called subserosal fibroids, and they grow on the outer surface of the uterus instead of inside the uterine cavity. They are one of the three main fibroid types and can vary widely in size.

What are the symptoms of fibroids outside the uterus?

Symptoms usually come from pressure on nearby organs rather than heavy bleeding. These can include pelvic pressure, frequent urination, constipation, bloating, lower back pain, or a visible bulge in the abdomen, depending on the fibroid’s size.

Can fibroids outside the uterus cause bleeding?

They are less likely to cause heavy bleeding than fibroids inside the uterine cavity, but bleeding can still happen, especially if another fibroid type is also present. A specialist can help determine the cause of any bleeding.

Can fibroids outside the uterus cause miscarriage?

Research suggests subserosal fibroids generally do not significantly raise the risk of early pregnancy loss, unlike fibroids that distort the uterine cavity. Every case is different, so ongoing prenatal monitoring is still recommended.

Can you get pregnant with fibroids outside the uterus?

Many women with subserosal fibroids conceive and carry pregnancies without complications tied to the fibroid’s location. Larger fibroids may still be monitored during pregnancy, and a specialist can help you understand your specific situation.

How do they remove fibroids on the outside of the uterus?

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) can treat subserosal fibroids by blocking their blood supply, causing them to shrink over time without surgery. A fibroid specialist can evaluate your imaging to see whether UFE may help in your case.

1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), “Uterine Fibroids,” nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/uterine
2. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Uterine Fibroids,” womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids
3. Ramasauskaite, D., et al., “Fibroids and pregnancy,” International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, hosted on PMC (National Library of Medicine), pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12724024/
4. Society of Interventional Radiology, “Uterine Fibroid Embolization,” sirweb.org/patients/uterine-fibroids/

Medical Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about fibroids that grow outside the uterus and related treatment options. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. Only a qualified fibroid specialist can determine whether you have a subserosal fibroid or recommend appropriate treatment. If you have pelvic pressure, bleeding, or other symptoms, consult a healthcare provider or contact USA Fibroid Centers for an evaluation.