Subserosal fibroids develop in the outer portion of the uterus and continue to grow outward. These typically do not affect a woman's menstrual flow, or cause excessive menstrual bleeding, but can cause pain due to their size and pressure on other organs.

Intramural fibroid tumors are the most common type and develop within the uterine wall and expand, which makes the uterus feel larger than normal (and may cause "bulk symptoms"). Symptoms associated with intramural fibroids are heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, back pain, frequent urination and pressure.

Submucosal fibroids develop just under the lining of the uterine cavity. The least common type of fibroid tumors, they often cause symptoms such as very heavy prolonged menstrual periods and excessive menstrual bleeding.

Pedunculated uterine fibroids occur when the fibroid grows on a stalk. Pedunculated fibroids can occur either into the uterus or grow on the outside of the uterus.

Uterine fibroids may also be referred to as myoma, leiomyoma, leiomyomata, and fibromyoma.

A woman may have one or all of these types of fibroids. It is common for a woman to have multiple fibroid tumors and it may be difficult to understand which fibroid is causing your symptoms. Because fibroid tumors are a diffuse disease of the uterus, there are usually more fibroids present than can be detected because of their small size. Even a woman who has only one visible fibroid needs to assume that there are multiple uterine fibroids present when discussing therapy.