Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Exophytic FibroidsExophytic Fibroid SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Exophytic Fibroids
Exophytic Fibroid Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Uterine fibroids, also known asmyomasorleiomyomas, are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of theuterus. They are typically not cancerous, but can lead to other problems like heavy bleeding andpain or crampingwhen they develop in the uterine wall.
Exophytic fibroids are particularly large uterine fibroids that grow out of the uterus into the abdominal cavity. “Exophytic” describes a growth that extends beyond the surface of the organ where it originated.
Read on to learn more about exophytic fibroids including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
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Intramural fibroidsare the only type of uterine fibroid that stay within the uterus. These tumors embed themselves in the muscular wall of the uterus. Other types of fibroids are exophytic, or ones that extend beyond the surface of the uterus:
Symptoms of fibroidsare generally the same regardless of where they grow in the uterus. In many cases, fibroids are tiny—microscopic, even—and develop with no symptoms at all. However, as they become larger and extend beyond the uterus wall, they may cause symptoms like:
Some conditions could cause your fibroids to grow faster or make symptoms worse. This is most common when hormone levels surge, like during pregnancy. Similarly, fibroids can shrink when hormone levels drop, like duringmenopause. If you know you have fibroids and are going through hormonal changes, talk to your doctor about how this can affect your symptoms.
No one is sure of the exact cause of fibroids, but a number of things can increase your likelihood of developing them.
Risk factors for fibroid growth include:
Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than women of other racial groups.Fibroids also tend to develop earlier and grow more quickly in Black women.
If your healthcare provider needs more information about your fibroids, they may order additional testing, including:
How Uterine Fibroids Are Diagnosed
How your fibroids are treated depends on a number of factors. If your fibroids are not causing any symptoms, you don’t need treatment. Your doctor may base your treatment plan on how you answer the following questions:
If your symptoms are severe or causing other complications, you may be treated with medications like:
When to Call a DoctorCall your provider if you have heavy bleeding, increased cramping, bleeding between periods, or fullness or heaviness in your lower belly area.
When to Call a Doctor
Call your provider if you have heavy bleeding, increased cramping, bleeding between periods, or fullness or heaviness in your lower belly area.
Surgery or other invasive procedures may also be required, such as:
How Uterine Fibroids Are Treated
Not everyone who has fibroids needs treatment. Your treatment plan will depend on what symptoms your fibroids are causing, what your future fertility plans are, and how close you may be to menopause.
In rare cases, untreated fibroids can cause complications like:
While the word “tumor” may bring up concerns about cancer, this is a rare complication of fibroids. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 fibroids will develop into cancer.
While fibroids may not always be severe enough to require treatment with medications or surgery, they can still cause discomfort. Your doctor may recommend treating your pain and cramping with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen).
If you haveheavy periodsdue to fibroids, your doctor may also recommendiron supplementsto help preventanemia.
Summary
Fibroids are tumors that can grow from the inner or outer lining of the uterus or inside the uterine wall. Exophytic fibroids are fibroids that extend from the surface of the uterus. Not all fibroids require treatment. Instead, you and your doctor will decide how to manage them together based on the symptoms they are causing and your future fertility plans. Fibroids rarely develop into cancer.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, fibroids can cause sharp pain or cramping similar to menstrual pain. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, though.Learn MoreHow to Identify and Treat Fibroid PainAn exophytic fibroid is one that protrudes from the surface of the uterus. A pedunculated uterine fibroid is a more specific type, extending from the uterus on a small stalk.Learn MoreWhat Are Pedunculated Fibroids?Fibroids can grow with hormonal surges, and large fibroids may possibly cause problems when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and delivery. If you have a family history of fibroids or have been diagnosed with them in the past, talk to your doctor about managing them during pregnancy.Learn MoreCan Fibroids Cause Infertility?In some cases, you and your doctor may decide to treat your fibroids with surgery. Medications like hormonal birth control are usually used first, and surgery is often reserved for fibroids that cause severe symptoms or don’t respond to less aggressive treatments.Learn MoreHow Uterine Fibroids Are TreatedNo one is sure what causes fibroids, but many cases seem to be familial or genetic. Obesity is one of the only risk factors linked to fibroids that you may have some control over.
Yes, fibroids can cause sharp pain or cramping similar to menstrual pain. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, though.Learn MoreHow to Identify and Treat Fibroid Pain
Yes, fibroids can cause sharp pain or cramping similar to menstrual pain. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, though.
Learn MoreHow to Identify and Treat Fibroid Pain
An exophytic fibroid is one that protrudes from the surface of the uterus. A pedunculated uterine fibroid is a more specific type, extending from the uterus on a small stalk.Learn MoreWhat Are Pedunculated Fibroids?
An exophytic fibroid is one that protrudes from the surface of the uterus. A pedunculated uterine fibroid is a more specific type, extending from the uterus on a small stalk.
Learn MoreWhat Are Pedunculated Fibroids?
Fibroids can grow with hormonal surges, and large fibroids may possibly cause problems when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and delivery. If you have a family history of fibroids or have been diagnosed with them in the past, talk to your doctor about managing them during pregnancy.Learn MoreCan Fibroids Cause Infertility?
Fibroids can grow with hormonal surges, and large fibroids may possibly cause problems when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and delivery. If you have a family history of fibroids or have been diagnosed with them in the past, talk to your doctor about managing them during pregnancy.
Learn MoreCan Fibroids Cause Infertility?
In some cases, you and your doctor may decide to treat your fibroids with surgery. Medications like hormonal birth control are usually used first, and surgery is often reserved for fibroids that cause severe symptoms or don’t respond to less aggressive treatments.Learn MoreHow Uterine Fibroids Are Treated
In some cases, you and your doctor may decide to treat your fibroids with surgery. Medications like hormonal birth control are usually used first, and surgery is often reserved for fibroids that cause severe symptoms or don’t respond to less aggressive treatments.
Learn MoreHow Uterine Fibroids Are Treated
No one is sure what causes fibroids, but many cases seem to be familial or genetic. Obesity is one of the only risk factors linked to fibroids that you may have some control over.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Uterine fibroids.MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Stewart EA, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Borah BJ.The burden of uterine fibroids for African-American women: results of a national survey. Journal of Women’s Health. 2013;22(10):807-816. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4334American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Uterine fibroids.MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Stewart EA, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Borah BJ.The burden of uterine fibroids for African-American women: results of a national survey. Journal of Women’s Health. 2013;22(10):807-816. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4334American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Uterine fibroids.MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Stewart EA, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Borah BJ.The burden of uterine fibroids for African-American women: results of a national survey. Journal of Women’s Health. 2013;22(10):807-816. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4334American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.
Cleveland Clinic.Uterine fibroids.
MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.
Stewart EA, Nicholson WK, Bradley L, Borah BJ.The burden of uterine fibroids for African-American women: results of a national survey. Journal of Women’s Health. 2013;22(10):807-816. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4334
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine fibroids.
Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.
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