Bumps on Vagina: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Have you ever noticed bumps on your vagina and freaked out? Well, you may calm down and note that it’s common to have lumps or bumps on your vagina. What you should keep an eye out for is whether the bump is infected or itchy, for it would then need medical attention.

These bumps are not distinct in appearance, in the sense that it could look like a blister, an ulcer or a freckle, wart, or even a series of rash-like little bumps. Typically, if it’s a raised surface of some type that you notice in your vaginal area, it could be vaginal bumps.

• Bumps on vagina or vulva?
• Are vaginal bumps normal?
• Why do you get vaginal bumps?
• Is it safe to pop bumps on the vagina?
• Treatment for vaginal bumps: Home remedies

Most often, when someone refers to vagina, they mean the vagina as well as vulva. The vagina is the internal organ, a muscular canal that leads to the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus.

The vulva is the genitilia that is found externally. It includes:

• Mons pubis – This is the portion of fat that is present right above your pubic bone.
• Labia majora – This is the area or lips that cover and protect the delicate parts of genitalia. The outer portion is typically covered with pubic hair, while the inner part is smooth and has sebaceous glands.
• Labia minora – These are the lips found under the labia majora, surrounding the opening of the vagina
• Skene’s glands and Bartholin's glands: Found in the labia minora, these are the glands that are responsible for lubrication.

Sometimes, you may feel or notice normal bumps inside your vaginal walls, which could be how your vagina is naturally in most cases. But in some cases, it could also signal an underlying medical condition. Which is why, it’s important to consult a doctor if you find vaginal bumps or anything out of the ordinary.

If it’s a bump that has been present in your vaginal area since birth, then that may be considered as normal for you. However, this may not be normal for another person. Furthermore, the texture of vulva for each person is different, so it is a matter of what feels normal to each person. So, if you notice any new or unusual vaginal bumps then it’s best to get it checked by your doctor.

Here are some of the most common reasons why you may have bumps on your vagina:

There are multiple glands in your vulva such as oil glands, Bartholin’s glands, and Skene’s glands. It is common for a cyst to form if there’s clogging in these glands. Mostly, these cysts will feel like small, hard lumps and its size may vary.

Typically, these go away without any treatment and aren’t painful unless they become infected. If a cyst does get infected, then you will have to see your doctor who will treat it by draining it and prescribing antibiotics if required.

Vaginal cysts are like firm, normal bumps inside vaginal walls. Typically, they could be the size of a pea or smaller. These cysts usually aren’t a cause for concern or painful even. Very rare do vaginal cysts need to be surgically treated.

If you notice vaginal bumps, you most likely could have pimples on your vaginal area. It is possible to get these pimples on your vulva as well. These pimples are formed when any hair follicles get clogged due to oil and dead skin cells. As difficult as it may sound, don’t try to pick at it or pop it so as to avoid further irritation. Ask your doctor if you can opt to apply a warm compress to soothe the skin until it heals and remember to keep the area clean and dry.

If you notice small or tiny bumps on vaginal opening, then those are most likely fordyce spots or sebaceous glands. These are small white or at times yellow-white bumps found inside your vulva and are usually painless and harmless. You may notice these spots on the lips and cheeks as well. Typically, these spots initially appear during puberty and there’s a tendency of getting more of them as you grow older.

This is a condition wherein you’ll notice swelling in the veins around your vulva. These varicose veins are bluish in color and look like raised bumps or round swollen veins found across the labia minora and majora. Although it isn’t painful, it may at times feel heavy, cause itching or bleeding. It is recommended that you consult a doctor who specializes in vein surgery to treat this condition.

Another common reason for getting vaginal bumps would be having ingrown hair. When you shave, wax, or pluck pubic hair regularly, there are chances that you would have ingrown pubic hair. These can lead to small, round, and at times, painful or itchy bumps to form. These vaginal bumps may be filled with pus. It is possible that the skin surrounding these bumps may become dark.

Hair removing practices such as shaving, waxing, often leads to an infection in some of the small hair follicles around the vulva, which can result in bumps and lumps. This infection is also known as folliculitis and can range in appearance - from razor burns that look like rashes to a boil filled with pus. These bumps on vagina are quite common and most likely go away on their own, provided you don’t shave or wax for a while, at least 30 days. To find relief, you can consult with your doctor and place a warm compress on the area three to four times a day for about 15 minutes at a time.

Small, protruding flaps of extra skin are known as skin tags. These are typically harmless and don’t cause discomfort unless it rubs against something or gets irritated. In case the skin tag is troubling you, you may have the option of getting it surgically removed. Consult with a doctor if you have any concerns.

A rare skin condition that mostly affects menopausal women, lichen sclerosus mostly appears on the vulva and around the anus. Its symptoms may include itching, thin, shiny skin that may tear easily, bleeding or bruising, blisters and pain when urinating or during sex.

It is an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is spread by vaginal and anal intercourse. Although rare, they are also said to spread via oral sex. Its symptoms include clusters of small skin-colored bumps, rough patches of closely spaced warts, sometimes described as resembling a cauliflower and itching or burning. It is common for genital warts to grow around or on your vulva or anus, or in your vagina.

Although it is an extremely rare condition, it is yet a possibility. Its symptoms can include having flat or raised bumps on the labia or vaginal lips, a patch of skin, thickened skin, itching, burning, and unusual bleeding or discharge. If you observe these symptoms, you should visit a doctor.

When you notice a vaginal bump, you may have the urge to pop it. However, experts advise that popping vaginal bumps is not a good idea. The reason being if the bumps are infected, you could end up spreading the bacteria to the surrounding area by popping them which could further worsen your symptoms. Furthermore, the skin around your vagina and vulva is extremely delicate and sensitive, hence, trying to pop the bump may cause further irritation and pain.

If the bumps don’t subside or go away on their own, it may cause discomfort. In such cases, you must consult a medical professional who can help diagnose the condition and prescribe the right treatment.

Most often, vaginal bumps don’t really need treatment as such. But if they don’t go away and cause pain, you’ll need professional guidance depending on the cause. Here are some tips and practices that will help you manage the symptoms.

1. If the reason for your vaginal bump is a cyst, try taking several warm baths a day. This will help relieve the pain and may help the cyst drain.
2. Allow your skin to breathe by avoiding any type of clothing that rubs against your vulva.
3. Use undergarments made of natural material like cotton. This will help keep your genital area cool and dry.
4. If the reason for your vaginal boil is an irritant, then simply replacing or eliminating the irritant is enough. Most often the culprits are harsh soaps or scented products. Try using mild, unscented detergents and products.
5. Use good quality sanitary products such as Always panty liners and sanitary pads to maintain intimate hygiene. Always products are dermatologically tested and safe. The Multiform Protect panty liners are flexible and adaptable that fit all panty styles. The liners are extra-Thin (1mm) providing a comfortable experience and its breathable design offers trusted dryness for long-lasting freshness every day so that you barely feel a thing.
6. In case the bumps don’t subside or become worse over time, consult a doctor. You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat any infection.

If you notice that there’s a vaginal bump that hasn’t gone away in weeks or has worsened, you must visit a medical professional. Additionally, you must also see your doctor if you notice the below signs of infection:

• discharge from the lump that contains pus or blood
• symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease such as unusual vaginal discharge, rashes, pain when urinating, unusual vaginal bleeding, and lumps or skin growths around the genitals or anus among others.

Takeaway
In most cases, vaginal bumps tend to go away on their own. However, if the bump is causing pain or discomfort and doesn’t seem to subside over a period of time, then you must consult a doctor. It is important that you get medical help before you have any complications.

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FAQs

Vaginal bumps are caused due to a host of reasons such as cysts, Fordyce spots, vaginal pimples, ingrown hair, genital warts, varicosities, skin tags and many more. It is important to figure out the reason for the bumps on vagina and get medical help if needed.

Once you get a vaginal bump, you need to firstly figure out the cause of it to get proper treatment. In the meantime, you can practice proper intimate hygiene such as wearing loose, cotton undergarments, avoiding irritants such a harsh soaps or scented products, and using quality sanitary products such as Always panty liners, which help keep genital area dry and cool.

If you notice that the bump on your vagina hasn’t faded or subsided, or it has become worse then you must consult with your doctor. Symptoms such as discharge that includes pus and blood from the bump and symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease are also indicators that you need medical help.

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