A subserosal uterine fibroid is a benign tumor that develops outside the uterus. It can grow directly on the uterine tissue or attach itself through a thin stalk. Being outside the uterus, a subserosal fibroid can exert pressure on the pelvis and nearby organs.
If you’ve been diagnosed with subserosal fibroids, you can speak with a fibroid specialist to explore treatment options. Non-surgical treatments are available to help relieve symptoms that may be affecting your daily life.
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What Is a Subserosal Fibroid?
A subserosal fibroid develops outside the uterus, under the serosa, the uterus’s smooth outer layer. These fibroids typically grow outward into the pelvic cavity rather than into the uterine lining. If they grow large enough, they can cause fullness in the abdominal area and can make women’s bodies look bloated or pregnant.
Subserosal fibroids can be large or small, and it’s possible to have just one of these types of fibroids or several. The location outside the uterus, size, and number will impact your symptoms and recommended treatment.
Other Names for Subserosal Fibroids
Subserosal fibroid is the most common name for this fibroid type, but it also goes by:
- Subserosal myoma
- Subserosal leiomyoma
- Subserous leiomyoma of the uterus
Types of Subserosal Fibroids
A subserosal uterine fibroid is classified by its location on the front or back of the uterus or on both sides.
Types of subserosal fibroids include:
- Fundal subserosal fibroid: These fibroids grow on the top of the uterus, also known as the fundus. Fundal subserosal fibroids are most likely to cause common symptoms like pelvic pressure and heavy periods.
- Anterior subserosal fibroid: Located on the front of the uterus, this fibroid type mainly presses on the bladder. If anterior subserosal fibroids grow large enough, they can cause frequent urination.
- Posterior subserosal fibroid: This subserosal fibroid type grows on the back of the uterus, potentially pressing the bowel or sciatic nerve. Posterior subserosal fibroids can cause constipation, lower back pain, or leg pain.
- Pedunculated subserosal fibroid: Pedunculated fibroids grow on the outer surface of the uterus and are attached by a thin stalk, known as the peduncle. Along with heavy periods and pelvic pressure, pedunculated fibroids can cause abdominal pain or pressure.
What Causes a Subserosal Uterine Fibroid?
The cause of fibroids is unknown; however, studies suggest a link between genetics, hormones, and the development of uterine fibroids, including subserosal fibroids.
Increased estrogen can cause a subserosal fibroid to grow larger, leading to more symptoms. Age also plays a role, with most women developing these growths between puberty and menopause, when hormone levels are at their peak.
Subserosal Fibroid Symptoms
Some common subserosal fibroid symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Lower back pain
- Back of leg pain (sciatica)
- Frequent need to urinate
- Constipation or bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Painful sex
How Symptoms Differ From Other Fibroids
Since subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus, their symptoms differ from those of other types of fibroids. They don’t usually cause heavy menstrual bleeding.. Typically, subserosal fibroids have less impact on the function of the uterus and more impact on neighboring organs, such as the bladder or bowel.
Are fibroids causing your symptoms? Our symptom checker below can help you determine if your symptoms are related to fibroids, alerting you to the need to consult with a specialist.
Is a Subserosal Fibroid Dangerous?
Subserosal fibroids aren’t dangerous, but they can cause severe discomfort, causing abdominal cramping, pain in the lower back and legs, and pain during sex. Because subserosal fibroids are located outside the uterus, they tend to be less dangerous during pregnancy compared to other fibroid types. When subserosal fibroids grow during pregnancy, they can distort the shape of the uterus, which can create some challenges with fetal development and natural childbirth.
As the subserosal fibroid presses on other organs, it can lead to constipation and increased frequency of urination. In addition, subserosal uterine fibroids can cause severe pain if they are pedunculated and the stalk becomes twisted.
When Is Suberosal Fibroid Treatment Needed?
A doctor will likely recommend treatment for your suberosal fibroid when it becomes large enough it cause symptoms, grows rapidly, or impacts your other organs or pregnancy plans.
Consulting a fibroid specialist at USA Fibroid Centers will help you get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to you.
Treatment Options for Subserosal Uterine Fibroids
It is recommended to seek subserosal fibroid treatment to avoid symptoms from getting worse, even if they seem mild at first.
The most common treatments for subserosal fibroids are hysterectomy, myomectomy, and uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
- Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus.
- Myomectomy involves removing the fibroids surgically.
- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure that stops fibroids’ blood supply.
Hysterectomies and myomectomies tend to have a lengthy recovery period, due to how invasive they can be. With a myomectomy, there is also still a chance of the fibroids coming back after the surgery.
However, UFE is a non-surgical procedure that stops the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die off. UFE also has a shorter recovery time of around 1-2 weeks.
USA Fibroid Centers has dedicated fibroid doctors who specialize in treating subserosal fibroids using UFE. Learn more about our patients’ experiences with UFE, and how USA Fibroids Centers helped them manage their symptoms.
Subserosal Fibroid and Pregnancy
Since subserosal fibroids are positioned outside the uterus, they typically have less influence on fertility than other types of fibroids, depending on their size and location. If they continue growing during pregnancy, they can pose challenges to fetal development and natural childbirth, especially as subserosal fibroids can distort the shape of the uterus.
What to Watch For During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can contribute to the growth of existing subserosal fibroids, leading to potential complications, such as a lower birth weight and the likelihood of a cesarean delivery (C-section). If you have subserosal fibroids while pregnant, you should have a fibroid specialist monitor any pain or space issues you might be experiencing.
Get Expert Care for Subserosal Fibroids
If you are experiencing symptoms such as pelvic pressure or abdominal fullness, you may have a subserosal fibroid. Scheduling a consultation with a USA Fibroid Centers fibroid specialist can help diagnose and create a personalized treatment plan that’s right for you.
Schedule a consultation today to take the first step in managing fibroid symptoms.
FAQs About Subserosal Fibroids
Can a Subserosal Fibroid be cancerous?
Subserosal fibroids are like other uterine fibroids in that they are almost always benign. They don’t increase the risk of developing uterine cancer and rarely turn into cancer.
What is Considered a Large Subserosal Fibroid?
A large subserosal uterine fibroid is typically around 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) or more in diameter (roughly the size of a grapefruit). While small subserosal fibroids (under 5 cm) often go unnoticed, larger ones can cause pelvic pain or pressure, and pressure-related issues like frequent urination or constipation.
Can a Subserosal Fibroid Cause Bleeding?
Subserosal fibroids can cause some bleeding issues, especially if they are large or multiple fibroids are present. Large subserosal fibroids can cause heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods due to their impact on the uterus and surrounding organs.
How are Subserosal Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?
Subserosal fibroids are typically diagnosed through pelvic exams and imaging tests. Our specialists at USA Fibroid Centers review your medical history, conduct physical examinations, and may use ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans to examine the fibroids and determine their size and location.