What causes swollen labia? How can it be treated? Explore the various reasons behind this common condition and the effective solutions to find relief.

Understanding Labia Swelling: Common Causes

Swelling in the labia, the folds of skin surrounding the vagina, can occur due to a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

Yeast Infections

Overgrowth of the Candida fungus can lead to a yeast infection, causing the labia to become swollen, red, and itchy. This is often accompanied by a cottage-cheese-like discharge.

Bacterial Vaginosis

An imbalance of bacteria in the vagina can result in bacterial vaginosis, which may present with a thin, grayish discharge and a fishy odor. The labia can swell and itch as a result.

Trichomoniasis

This sexually transmitted infection, caused by a parasite, can cause swelling, itching, and a foul-smelling discharge in the vaginal area, including the labia.

Allergic Reactions

Contact with irritants like soap, detergents, latex, or certain fabrics can trigger an allergic reaction, leading to labia swelling and inflammation.

Bartholin’s Cyst

A blockage in the Bartholin’s glands, which produce natural vaginal lubrication, can result in a painful, swollen cyst on the labia.

Lack of Lubrication During Sex

Insufficient lubrication during sexual activity can cause friction and trauma to the delicate labia, leading to swelling and discomfort.

Diagnostic Approach and Treatment Options

To determine the underlying cause of labia swelling, your healthcare provider will likely ask about your medical and sexual history, perform a physical examination, and may order laboratory tests, such as a swab or tissue sample. The treatment approach will depend on the specific diagnosis:

Treating Infections

Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis are typically treated with antifungal or antibiotic medications, either topical or oral.

Managing Allergic Reactions

Avoiding the identified allergen, using gentle, fragrance-free products, and applying cold compresses can help alleviate swelling and discomfort from allergic reactions.

Draining Bartholin’s Cysts

For Bartholin’s cysts, the healthcare provider may drain the cyst or recommend surgery to prevent recurrence.

Improving Lubrication

Using water-based lubricants during sexual activity can help reduce friction and prevent labia swelling and discomfort.

Maintaining Vaginal Health

To prevent and manage labia swelling, it’s important to maintain good vaginal hygiene, avoid irritants, and seek prompt medical attention for any persistent or concerning symptoms.

Practicing Good Hygiene

Gently cleanse the genital area with mild, fragrance-free soap and water, avoid douching, and wear breathable, cotton underwear.

Identifying and Avoiding Irritants

Pay attention to products that may trigger allergic reactions, such as certain soaps, detergents, or feminine hygiene products, and replace them with gentler alternatives.

Seeking Medical Attention

If the swelling persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like pain, itching, or discharge, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding the Importance of Labia Health

The labia play a crucial role in protecting the vagina and clitoris, and maintaining their health is essential for overall genital well-being. By understanding the common causes of labia swelling and seeking appropriate treatment, individuals can find relief and prevent further complications.

Addressing Labia Swelling Promptly

Ignoring labia swelling can lead to worsening of the underlying condition and potentially more serious complications. Prompt medical attention is crucial for effective management and relief.

Embracing Labia Diversity

It’s important to remember that the size and appearance of the labia can vary greatly among individuals, and these natural variations are not a cause for concern. Embracing the diversity of labia is an important aspect of overall genital health and self-acceptance.

Navigating the Road to Recovery

Recovering from labia swelling may involve a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and self-care. With patience, persistence, and the guidance of healthcare professionals, individuals can find relief and regain their comfort and confidence.

Importance of Follow-up and Monitoring

Regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider are crucial to ensure the underlying condition is properly managed and to monitor for any recurrence or complications.

Incorporating Self-care Practices

Alongside medical treatment, incorporating self-care practices like using gentle, fragrance-free products, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and practicing stress management can aid in the healing process and prevent future episodes of labia swelling.

Swollen Labia: Causes, Treatment, and More

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Infections, cysts, and allergic reactions are just a few things that can cause swelling in your labia. If wearing loose clothing, applying a cool compress, and using lubrication during sex doesn’t ease the discomfort, it’s best to get medical attention.

The labia are known as the “lips” of the vagina. The labia majora is a fold of skin on the outside of the vaginal area, while the labia minora is the inner lip leading to the vagina. Their function is to protect the vagina and clitoris from irritation and injury.

It’s natural for the labia to vary in size — from woman to woman and even from one side of the labia to the other. But infections, allergies, cysts and other conditions can produce noticeable labia swelling and pain.

Besides inflammation of the labia, other symptoms of problems with your labia and the vagina it surrounds may include:

• genital itching or burning
• discharge from the vaginal area
• a foul smell coming from the vagina
• a small bump on the labia
• pain when walking or sitting

Given the delicate tissue of the labia, it’s not surprising that both the labia majora and minora are susceptible to swelling. Some common causes include:

Yeast infections

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3 out of 4 women will have a yeast infection at some point during their lifetimes. Overgrowth of yeast — the most common culprit being Candida — can cause swelling, burning, and itchiness of the entire vaginal area, including the labia.

This overgrowth can be due to antibiotic use, pregnancy, diabetes, or oral contraceptive use. Some women may also experience a cottage-cheese-like discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis

Much like a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. This can occur because of douching, having multiple sex partners, or just normally having a low level of the “good” bacteria in your vagina, which allows the “bad” bacteria to take over.

Symptoms include a greenish, whitish, or grayish thin discharge that has a “fishy” smell and vaginal itching, although some women have no symptoms at all. Check out some home remedies for this condition.

Trichomoniasis

According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, trichomoniasis (“trich”) is a common sexually transmitted disease that currently affects 3.7 million people. It’s caused by a parasite and in 70 percent of people doesn’t result in symptoms. When symptoms do arise, they include swelling, itching, and burning of the vaginal region, painful urination, and an extremely fishy vaginal odor.

Allergies

When your skin comes into contact with something it’s allergic to, it’s likely to swell. So when the labia are irritated by allergens like the perfumes in soap or detergents, latex in condoms, or certain fabrics in clothing, it’s not uncommon for redness and inflammation to occur.

Bartholin’s cyst

About 2 percent of women (mostly in their 20s) will get Bartholin’s cysts. These cysts occur when the Bartholin glands, which lie just outside the vagina, become blocked. These glands secrete moisture, helping the vagina become lubricated for sex. Many women won’t know they have a cyst unless it becomes infected. When that occurs, the cyst can cause skin around the vagina and labia to become painful and tender.

Sex without enough lubrication

The act of sex involves a lot of friction, which can cause trauma to your labia and entire vaginal area unless it’s properly lubricated. Use this guide to find the best lubrication for you.

Your doctor (usually a gynecologist) will ask about your medical and sexual history as well as your symptoms and then do a physical exam. A swab or, less commonly, a tissue sample may be taken and sent to a lab to determine if you have an infection, and if so, whether it is bacterial, parasitic, or fungal in nature.

Your doctor will also look for any abnormalities, like a cyst. If there’s any suspicion of vaginal or vulvar cancer, your doctor may perform a biopsy of the tissue.

Treatment will largely depend on what’s causing your labia to swell. If you have a yeast infection, your doctor may tell you to use over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams or prescribe one to you. Bacterial infections may require antibiotics.

Labia irritation from allergies or sex may respond to OTC or prescription hydrocortisone or steroid creams. A particularly problematic Bartholin’s cyst may need to be lanced and drained or even surgically removed.

Try the following to help treat and prevent labia swelling:

• Apply a cool compress to the swollen area.
• If a cyst is causing swelling and pain, try taking several warm (not hot) baths a day and take OTC painkillers.
• Don’t douche. It can upset the normal balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in the vagina.
• Don’t wear tight clothing, including tight underwear or confining pantyhose. Tight clothing generates heat and limits airflow, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow.
• If you think you might be sensitive to them, stay away from perfumed detergents, soaps, and feminine products.
• If you’re allergic to latex or spermicide, talk to your doctor about other birth control methods.
• Refrain from sex if it’s painful.
• Use a lubricant to reduce friction during sex.
• Add yogurt (with live active cultures) and probiotics to your diet.

In addition, you may want to investigate herbal treatments. In one study, a vaginal cream made with garlic and thyme was as effective in relieving vaginal yeast infections as the commonly prescribed antifungal cream clotrimozole.

Tea tree oil, organic coconut oil, and oil of oregano may also be therapeutic, though this hasn’t been proven. Any of these herbal treatments may cause an itchy rash or other symptoms if you’re sensitive to them.

Most cases of swollen labia aren’t serious. If the swelling is chronic, painful, or accompanied by other symptoms, such as a vaginal odor, bump, or discharge, definitely have it checked out by a doctor.

Swelling of the labia isn’t uncommon, and effective treatment is available. Most women will recover without any lasting consequences, although in some cases the swelling can recur.

Lumps and Bumps on Vagina: Causes, Identification, and Treatment

When people refer to the vagina, they’re often referring to both the internal organ (the vagina) and external genitalia, known as the vulva. The term “vulva” encompasses the:

• clitoral hood
• clitoris
• labia majora
• labia minora
• vaginal vestibule, which is outside of the vaginal opening

The vagina is a muscular tube that leads to your cervix, which is the opening to your uterus.

The top layer of tissue in your vagina is mucous membrane, similar to tissue in your mouth or nose. The bumps and ridges on the surface of your vagina are called rugae. They are like folds or pleats of extra tissue when your vagina is relaxed. During sex or childbirth, rugae enable your vagina to expand.

The vulva includes several organs:

• Labia majora: These are the outer lips of your vulva. The outer side of the labia majora is where your pubic hair grows. The hairless skin of the inner fold is smoother and contains oil glands called sebaceous glands.
• Labia minora: If you pull the labia majora apart, you’ll see your labia minora, or the inner lips of thin skin surrounding the opening to your vagina.
• Skene’s glands and Bartholin’s glands: These glands produce mucus and other lubricants. They’re found on the labia minora. The labia minora are also dotted with oil glands.

Here are 10 possible causes for changes to the skin of your vulva and vagina.

1. Vulvar cysts

Your vulva has a number of glands, including oil glands, Bartholin’s glands, and Skene’s glands. A cyst can form if these glands become clogged.

The size of cysts varies, but most feel like small, hard lumps. Cysts aren’t usually painful unless they become infected.

Cysts normally go away without treatment. If a cyst becomes infected, your doctor can drain it. They may prescribe antibiotics if there are signs of infection.

2. Vaginal cysts

There are several types of vaginal cysts. Vaginal cysts are firm lumps on the wall of the vagina. They’re normally about the size of a pea or smaller.

Vaginal inclusion cysts are the most common type of vaginal cyst. They sometimes form after childbirth or injury to the vagina.

Vaginal cysts usually aren’t painful. They’re rarely a cause for concern unless they cause discomfort during sex. Occasionally, vaginal cysts need to be drained or removed surgically.

3. Fordyce spots

Fordyce spots, or sebaceous glands, are small white or yellow-white bumps inside your vulva. These spots can also be found on the lips and cheeks.

They normally first appear during puberty. You tend to get more of them as you age.

Fordyce spots are painless and not harmful.

4. Varicosities

Varicosities are swollen veins that can occur around your vulva. According to a 2017 study, they happen in up to 34% of people with varicose veins in the pelvis and up to 22% of pregnant people.

They appear as bluish raised bumps or round swollen veins around the labia minora and majora. You may not experience pain, but sometimes they can feel heavy, cause itching, or bleed.

No treatment is usually needed if you’re pregnant. Varicosities usually recede about 6 weeks after childbirth. They often reoccur with any subsequent pregnancies.

For those who aren’t pregnant, they may cause discomfort with intercourse or when standing for long periods. A doctor specializing in vein surgery and treatment can treat this condition.

5. Ingrown hair

Shaving, waxing, or plucking pubic hair increases your risk of ingrown pubic hair. Ingrown hair can cause a small, round, sometimes painful or itchy bump to form. The bump may be filled with pus, and the skin around the bump may also become darker.

Don’t try to extract the ingrown hair on your own. That can lead to infection.

In most cases, ingrown hairs resolve without treatment. But visit a doctor if inflammation develops. It could be a sign of infection that needs treatment.

6. Vaginal skin tags

Skin tags, or polyps, are small, protruding flaps of extra skin. They don’t cause harm or discomfort unless they rub or catch on something and become irritated.

If your skin tags are bothersome, your doctor can remove them surgically or with a laser.

7. Lichen sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus mainly occurs after menopause. It’s not a common skin condition. Lichen sclerosus is most often seen on the vulva and around the anus. Symptoms may include:

• severe itch
• white spots
• skin that may tear easily
• bleeding or bruising
• pain when urinating or during sex

Corticosteroid cream or ointment can typically treat lichen sclerosus, but it may return after treatment. People with lichen sclerosus have a slightly increased risk of vulvar cancer.

8. Genital herpes

Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes is transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 8 people have genital herpes in the United States. Often, the symptoms are so mild that those with herpes aren’t aware they have the condition.

When an outbreak occurs, symptoms may include:

• blistery sores or ulcers that may ooze or bleed
• pain, itching, or tingling
• fever
• swollen glands

Herpes symptoms often clear up and then return. Over time, most people experience fewer and less severe outbreaks.

If you have visible sores, your doctor may be able to diagnose genital herpes by looking at the sores or by swabbing fluid from them and testing the fluid in a lab.

There’s no cure for genital herpes, but you can manage the severity and duration of symptoms with antiviral medications.

Do not have sex if you have visible herpes sores. Using condoms or other barrier methods during sex will significantly reduce your chances of getting herpes.

Genital herpes can also affect a baby during vaginal delivery if the birthing parent has an active outbreak. Getting regular prenatal care and taking antiviral medications from week 35 or 36 of pregnancy through delivery can help reduce the chances of transmission to the baby.

9. Genital warts

Genital warts are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They’re transmitted by vaginal and anal sex. More rarely, they are transmitted via oral sex.

Many people have genital warts and don’t know it. If you have symptoms, they may include:

• clusters of small skin-colored bumps
• rough patches of closely spaced warts, sometimes described as resembling a cauliflower
• itching or burning

Genital warts can grow on your vulva or anus, or in your vagina. There is no cure for genital warts, but a doctor can remove them by using a prescription cream, laser, or surgery. Do not use over-the-counter wart removers.

Some types of HPV can increase your risk of cervical cancer. If you have genital warts, visit your doctor for a Pap test to see what type of HPV caused the warts.

10. Cancer

Cancers of the vulva or vagina are rare. Symptoms of precancerous and cancerous vulvar and vaginal conditions may include:

• abnormal bleeding
• unusual discharge
• noticeable skin lumps
• pain during sex

To diagnose vulvar and vaginal cancers, a doctor takes a tissue sample from lesions and examines it under a microscope.

It’s always a good idea to visit a doctor if you notice any changes to your body, including a new lump that doesn’t go away after a few weeks. Also reach out to a doctor if you have pain or signs of infection, such as:

• discharge from the lump that contains pus or blood
• symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as itching, pain when peeing, or rash

If you don’t already have an OB-GYN, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find one in your area.

Vaginal lumps often don’t need treatment. If they do need medical care, treatment is determined based on the underlying cause.

You can manage most vaginal bumps and lumps at home. Here are some things you can do to help relieve your symptoms:

• If you have cysts, take warm baths several times a day for a few days. The warm water may help the cysts drain.
• Soak in a sitz bath in the tub or on the toilet. This can also help soften cysts if you’re unable to take several baths a day. You can buy a sitz bath over the counter at most pharmacies.
• Avoid wearing clothing that rubs and chafes your vulva.
• Wear panties made of natural material like cotton. Natural materials are breathable and can help keep your genitals cool and dry.

It’s unlikely that lumps on your vagina are cause for alarm. Most will go away on their own or can be treated or managed at home.

If you have an STI or suspect you might, reach out to a doctor for testing. Starting STI treatment early can reduce your risk of any complications.

Swelling of the labia: swelling, swelling, itching, inflammation

Almost any woman who experiences discomfort in the intimate area is in confusion and concern for her health. Therefore, the puffiness that appeared on the external genitalia is a reason to visit a specialist in order to avoid possible complications and chronicity of the process.

The female reproductive system consists of external and internal organs. The external genitalia include the labia majora and labia minora, the clitoris, and the vaginal opening. The common name for the vulva is the vulva, so inflammation in the vulva is called vulvitis. In such cases, in addition to swelling (swelling) of the labia, itching, burning, irritation may disturb, the skin in the vulva area looks inflamed, redness is noted, erosion may appear. With the development of unfavorable health processes in the vulva area, there is a possibility of the infection spreading “further” – to the higher organs, also causing inflammation of the vagina – vaginitis. When inflammation affects both the vulva and vagina, the condition is called vulvovaginitis.

The external genitalia can swell and become inflamed due to the defeat of their yeast-like fungus Candida, which normally lives in our body, but with its active reproduction, candidiasis appears, in the common people this disease is called thrush. Puffiness of the labia is accompanied by thrush with itching, white curdled discharge that has a sour smell.

Aerobic (non-specific) vaginitis can also cause swelling of the female genitals. This is a disease that appears against the background of vaginal dysbiosis: a decrease in the number of lactobacilli and the appearance of enterococci and other opportunistic microorganisms in smears. With this pathology, in addition to swelling in the area of ​​the labia, it is also characteristic: discomfort in the groin, abundant discharge, painful sexual contact and urination.

A woman brings a lot of unpleasant emotions with such a symptom as vulvodynia – painful sensations in the vulva. This symptom may accompany swelling in the vulva and appear against the background of various diseases of the female genital organs – infections, allergic reactions and other diseases of the reproductive system. These painful sensations make a woman feel insecure and constrained and are the reason for the rejection of intimate life and even the development of depression. Often, patients describe the pain as sharp or throbbing. It can give to the anus, buttocks and thighs.

Swelling and inflammation of the labia may be due to the development of bartholinitis – inflammation of the Bartholin gland. These glands are located in the vestibule of the vagina and produce a natural moisturizing lubricant. Since the glands are located next to the labia, with bartholinitis they also swell and become inflamed. Painful sensations accompany a woman when walking, running, intimacy. You should not delay contacting a specialist: if bartholinitis is neglected and left untreated, an abscess may form in the area of ​​inflammation.

In addition to the pathological causes of swelling of the labia, there are non-pathological:

• Lack of hygiene
• Synthetic underwear
• Stress
• Subcooling or overheating
• Sexual arousal
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum period.

With swelling of the genitals, which is not provoked by pathology, itching, burning, discomfort during sex, and atypical discharge may also occur. However, such swelling is not dangerous. It is necessary to eliminate the cause and the symptoms will disappear without any intervention. However, you should not engage in self-diagnosis and treatment, the best solution would be to visit a specialist.

After collecting an anamnesis, to establish the cause that caused the swelling of the genital organs and assess the condition of the genital organs, it may be necessary to examine the chair, laboratory tests: general and biochemical blood tests, urine tests, microscopy of a smear from the vagina; Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and others.

Sometimes it may be necessary to consult other specialists, for example, a urologist, dermatologist, venereologist, etc.

Only after the diagnosis is established and treatment is prescribed in accordance with it.

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If the cause of the swelling of the labia is not associated with a serious disease or infection, then a specialist may recommend Epigen Intim spray to eliminate inflammation and heal damaged tissues. This is a drug based on activated glycyrrhizic acid, which was isolated from licorice root. The medicine helps to eliminate the inflammatory process, reduce swelling and redness of tissues, itching and discomfort due to anti-inflammatory and antipruritic action. The use of Epigen Intim spray will also contribute to the speedy healing and restoration of the skin and mucous membranes. The drug can be used even by pregnant and lactating women. Epigen Intim Spray can be the answer to the question “how to relieve itching of small lips at home” – due to its antipruritic effect, it can be used before a visit to the doctor to relieve the symptom.

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Swelling of the labia is a very specific symptom. Sometimes the cause of its appearance are completely harmless factors: tight underwear made from unnatural fabrics that irritate the delicate intimate area, intimate hygiene gel with aggressive components. Also, swelling of the genital tissues is associated with the phases of the cycle. And sometimes, serious infectious diseases can become the cause of puffiness. Therefore, you need to contact a specialist who will help get rid of inflammation and swelling.

5 causes of lumps in the vulva

Finding a lump or lump on the body can often be a cause for concern, especially when it comes to the vaginal area. It’s good practice to check your genital area regularly so you can quickly spot anything out of the ordinary. It can be such unwanted formations as bumps, bumps, rashes, or something in between.

It is important to keep your genitals healthy because bumps that appear on or around the vagina can be the first sign of a medical condition that requires medical attention, such as a sexually transmitted infection. The ideal option is to notice them immediately after the appearance, so that if necessary, seek appropriate medical attention.

In this article, we will look at five possible explanations for the appearance of bumps near or on the labia. Of course, vaginal bumps and bumps do not always portend trouble and can be ordinary acne. However, if such bumps are found, it is necessary to contact the gynecologist so that he can assess whether there is a reason for concern.

Intimate hair removal method

Waxing, shaving, and other hair removal methods can sometimes cause infection in the hair follicles surrounding the vulva, resulting in bumps and bumps. Infected ingrown hair cysts make themselves felt with rashes that look like razor burns, and in especially advanced cases, abscesses with pus.

To reduce the risk, doctors recommend changing razors regularly, shaving in the same direction as the hairs, and applying ointments, such as shaving creams, to lift the hairs off the skin and avoid cuts. You can also try changing your shaving technique from waxing to shaving or vice versa.

If you’re noticing bumps even after doing the above, try using antibiotic ointments to start fighting off the bacteria causing the infection. Natural remedies can also be used, of course.

Vaginal cysts

There are different types of vaginal cysts, some of which contain pus and others of a scar or airy tissue. Cysts in the vaginal area may appear as pocket-like protrusions along the vaginal wall. Even though some cysts are large and painful, most are small and often have no symptoms. Consult with your gynecologist. Some types of vaginal cysts include:

Bartholin’s cyst

Characterized by the formation of bumps on one or both sides of the vaginal opening.

Endometriosis cysts

These are lumps of tissue that create tiny cysts inside the vagina.

Gartner’s duct cysts

They usually appear during pregnancy.

Vaginal inclusion cysts

They usually appear after an injury to the walls of the vagina, for example, during childbirth. As a result of trauma, tissue can be under the surface of the skin, which leads to the formation of cysts.

Pimples in the vagina

Just as dermatological conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, the vulva is no exception. You probably thought acne was over when you were a teenager. However, these acne can also appear in adulthood. Like other pimples, vulvar pimples can be red, painful, and sometimes filled with pus.

And no matter how unpleasant these pimples are, do not squeeze them out. Keep your hands off and let your skin clear itself.

Sexually transmitted infections

Itchy bumps on the outer lips of the vagina are one of the symptoms of some STIs. Crab (pubic lice) bites usually appear on the vulva as tiny blue dots that constantly itch.

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2

For example, during an outbreak of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, it is not uncommon to see clusters of blister-like bumps that itch and hurt at the same time. These bumps usually appear between 2 and 20 days after infection, after which they may remain dormant for weeks, months, or even years between outbreaks.

Genital warts

Genital warts are whitish or skin-colored bumps that form around the vulva and anus. They are caused by one of two types of HPV virus (6 and 11). They may be irritating or itchy, but usually do not hurt. Luckily, your immune system is usually able to successfully fight off the virus that causes these warts. However, they may remain for a while, so you should see a doctor so that he can treat and remove the warts, if necessary.

Syphilis

Although many people are unaware of this symptom, one of the early symptoms of syphilis is the “syphilis sore,” which appears as a small chancre around the vulva or anus. It is round, firm, and painless, and there is usually only one. It can also appear in very hard to reach places, such as inside the vagina or rectum, making it difficult to detect.

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is an incredibly common but little-known STI. It is quite common among young women, especially those in their twenties, who are sexually active. It appears as tiny bumps all over the vulva and is highly contagious. However, these bumps usually go away on their own.

Cancer

This is the last section of our list because it is the least likely. Don’t jump to conclusions if you spot a bump on the ground below. This is because vulvar cancer is incredibly rare, and vaginal cancer is even rarer. However, symptoms of vaginal cancer may include:

• Raised or flat bumps and ulcers on the vulva
• Burning, itching or pain
• Light or dark spots on the skin around the affected area
• Thick skin
• Unusual discharge or bleeding
• Wounds that do not heal within a few weeks.

Older women and women who smoke have been found to be more susceptible to vulvar cancer. In addition, the presence of the HPV virus increases the risk of developing this cancer. Diagnosis of cancer of the vagina and vulva is possible only by taking tissues from suspicious formations and examining them under a microscope.

When should you see a gynecologist?

Periodically occurring bumps in a woman’s vagina are a fairly common phenomenon, often with completely harmless causes. Although these bumps are not usually painful, they can cause pain or bleeding if they grow too large and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, anyone who develops vaginal bumps or lumps should see a gynecologist to make sure they are not at risk of a serious illness.

If you notice any changes in the vaginal area, including bumps and bumps, you should contact your doctor for medical advice and, if necessary, treatment. It is especially important to consult a gynecologist if you have bumps:

• bleed;
• have an unpleasant odor or unusual discharge;
• hurt you.