If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, it is important to be aware of the different types and classifications. Fibroid tumors, which are also known as uterine fibroids or myomas, can vary in size, number, and location within the uterus. These differences may lead to a range of symptoms depending on the fibroid type. Not all fibroids cause severe symptoms, but knowing the types of fibroids and how they can affect your health can help you make more informed decisions about your care.
What Are the Different Types of Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids can grow in different parts of the uterus, and their location affects the symptoms you may experience and the treatment you need. The four most common types of fibroids include intramural, subserosal, submucosal, and pedunculated fibroids. These four types of uterine fibroids can also become calcified fibroids.
Intramural Fibroids
Intramural fibroids are the most common fibroid type, growing within the muscular wall of the uterus. These types of fibroids often start small and may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, as they grow, they can put pressure on surrounding tissues, leading to more serious discomfort and disruption to daily life. Their location within the uterine wall can also make them harder to detect without imaging.
Common symptoms of intramural fibroids include:
- Heavy periods that last 10 days or more
- Irregular bleeding between periods
- Pelvic or lower back pain
While symptoms are often mild in the early stages, larger intramural fibroids can lead to chronic pain, anemia from blood loss, and fertility challenges.
Subserosal Fibroids
Subserosal fibroids grow outside the uterus, bulging into the pelvic or abdominal cavity. They may be directly attached to the uterus or connected by a thin stalk known as a peduncle. These kinds of fibroids are the rarest type of fibroids. However, many consider them one of the most difficult types of fibroids because they can cause heavy bleeding and are hard to remove.
Common symptoms of subserosal fibroids include:
- A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the pelvic region
- Frequent urination
- Constipation or bloating
- Abdominal pain and cramping
In some cases, large subserosal fibroids can enlarge the uterus, causing abdominal distension that may resemble pregnancy. Although they’re one of the rarer types, subserosal fibroids can still cause discomfort and require treatment.
Submucosal Fibroids
Submucosal fibroids grow within the innermost lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. This type is the most likely to cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Even small submucosal fibroids can cause significant bleeding and anemia, and many patients experience worsening symptoms over time without targeted treatment.
Common symptoms of submucosal fibroids include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstruation
- Bleeding between periods
- Anemia, fatigue, or dizziness
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Passing frequent or large blood clots (larger than a quarter)
Due to their severity, consulting a specialist about treatment options for these types of fibroids can significantly help manage symptoms.
Pedunculated Fibroids
Pedunculated fibroids are types of fibroids that attach to the uterine wall using a thin stalk called a peduncle. These kinds of fibroids can grow either inside (submucosal) or outside (subserosal) the uterus and may move slightly or twist. When this twisting occurs, it can cut off the fibroid’s blood supply, causing sudden, sharp pain known as torsion. While not always symptomatic, pedunculated fibroids can become very painful when disturbed, especially if large or mobile.
Common symptoms of pedunculated fibroids include:
- Sudden, sharp abdominal pain (from torsion)
- Pressure or discomfort, depending on size and position
- Pelvic pain that comes and goes
Since symptoms vary widely depending on location, a diagnosis and consultation with a fibroid specialist are crucial for selecting the right treatment plan for you.
Calcified Fibroids
Calcified fibroids are fibroids that have hardened due to the formation of calcium deposits that occur when they outgrow their blood supply. When this happens, the fibroids begin to degenerate, a process that can be painful and may lead to inflammation or swelling. Over time, the tissue left behind becomes calcified, leading to hardened fibroid masses. Calcified fibroids are more common after menopause but can occur at any age.
Common symptoms of calcified fibroids include:
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Severe abdominal pain or pressure
Can a Calcified Fibroid Grow?
Typically, calcified fibroids stop growing after calcification occurs. However, these types of fibroids can still cause new or increased symptoms due to their size or location.
Understanding Fibroid Classification by Size
Fibroid types aren’t the only way of classifying these benign tumors. Fibroids can also be categorized by size into three groups.
Here are the different categories:
- Small Fibroids: Up to 20 mm or 5 cm and no larger than the size of a cherry
- Medium Fibroids: Between 20 and 60 mm or between a plum and an orange
- Large Fibroids: More than 60 mm, or between the size of a grapefruit and a watermelon
The best way to determine the size and type of fibroids is to visit an interventional radiologist. These fibroid specialists can provide a diagnosis using specialized tools and techniques to determine the number, size, and location of the fibroids.
How Do I Know What Type of Fibroids I Have?
It’s not easy to know what type of fibroid you have on your own. A fibroid specialist can identify the type through imaging tests that show where the fibroid is located. Once a diagnosis is made, they can recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific fibroid type.
How Different Types of Fibroids Are Diagnosed
Doctors detect most types of fibroids during a routine pelvic exam. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order imaging tests, including an ultrasound or MRI. These tools help determine the size, number, and exact location of the fibroids, as well as rule out other uterine conditions, such as adenomyosis and ovarian cysts.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like heavy or prolonged bleeding, pelvic pain, or frequent urination, talk to a fibroid specialist for a diagnosis.
Speak with A Fibroid Specialist
Why Fibroid Type Matters
The type and location of a fibroid can significantly impact your symptoms, treatment options, and long-term outcomes. For example, the kinds of fibroids that grow inside the uterine lining may cause more bleeding and affect fertility, while those on the outside may lead to pressure-related symptoms.
Certain fibroid types are also more likely to return even after treatment. That’s why an accurate diagnosis is essential for creating a personalized care plan that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Treatment for All Types of Uterine Fibroids
At USA Fibroid Centers, we offer an outpatient treatment known as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). This non-surgical procedure targets multiple types of fibroids while preserving the uterus. UFE requires minimal recovery time, which means most patients can return to their normal activities within one to two weeks.
UFE can be an effective option regardless of the number or location of fibroids. A consultation with one of our specialists can help you receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment tailored to the types of fibroids you may have.
Schedule a Consultation Today
At USA Fibroid Centers, our interventional radiologists specialize in UFE to help alleviate symptoms from different types of uterine fibroids without requiring a lengthy recovery period. Our clinics are accredited by the AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), so they meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
To determine if UFE is right for you, schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations nationwide or call us at 855.615.2555.