Diagnosing Mass Under Vaginal Skin
Q: I am 23 year old female. It’s been more then 5 years that I have this movable tiny lump. It is sort of mass under my vaginal skin. Mostly I find it in between the hips area. It does not cause any pain. But twice I had unusual bleeding from it, and a few times, blood spots. Can you tell me what it can be?
Reply:
Since the lump is movable, the chances of its being cancerous (vulvar or vaginal cancer) is very less.
It looks more like some cystic swelling coming from one of the glands located in this area.
Possible Causes
Bartholin Cyst
One of such swelling is a bartholin cyst. There are certain glands located near the vaginal opening. These glands are called bartholin (or major vestibular glands). They drain through many tiny ducts.
The function of these glands is to secrete lubricating fluid during sexual activities. This helps reducing friction during intercourse.
These glands are active during early adulthood. Commonly, a duct draining from the gland may get blocked (as in pimple formation). Subsequently, a cystic swelling is produced.
Such swelling are movable and painless. Sometimes, they may drain (when squeezed) clear fluid. Rarely, they may bleed.
Bleeding could also point towards some infections. As you can understand, this area gets exposed to a number of infective agents. So, a bleeding swelling usually requires applying some topical antibiotic.
Ingrown Hair
Your swelling could also be an ingrown hair. A pubic hair may coil back to grow into the skin.
Infections (Rule Out STDs)
Lumps in this area can also arise due to some STD. The vagina is exposed to various infectious diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis etc. Measles and trichomoniasis (a protozoan infection causing diarrhea and persistent discharge) may also affect this area.
For this reason, it is recommended to get it examined by a doctor to rule out this possibility.
You may apply clean, warm moist packs on the lump. This may help reduce its size and pain if any.
Take Care,
Buddy M.D.
I’m not making/ producing any form of lubrication during sex. What causes that?
The commonest cause for it is lack of adequate stimulation of the glands. This may be due to inadequate foreplay.
Hi! I’m below the age of 15, virgin. I have always wonder as far back as I can remember that I had these small bumps on the space between the outer and inner labias. They are pretty much everywhere. They don’t burn, itch, or sting. I don’t even know they are there. They have a whitish tint but don’t look like herpes because they are more raised. What could this be and is it treatable?
These are likely to be simple pimples, sebum getting built up there.
After puberty, glands in the genital region become active and start producing a lot of oily secretions required for lubrication later during sex life. Over production of sebum may block the glands and gives rise to pimples.
At the moment, since they are symptomless, your pimples are not infected. However, it is recommended that you keep the area clean and dry. Take care of these pimples.
But when I squeeze them nothing comes out. There seems to be more but smaller ones torward the inner labia. They are everywhere.
I’m really worried.
Sebum is usually thick and doesn’t come out or drain easily. Do not try to pop or squeeze them, this may infect the pimples and worsen the situation.
Don’t let sweat and sebum build up in the region. Wear loose cotton clothes and keep the area clean.
Also, do not use any soap, gel or douche in the region. They are not required. Use only plain water for cleaning the vaginal area.
Gels and douches may sometimes produce allergic rashes, which may give a picture similar to yours. Have you recently used any new product?
No
Alright. Just don’t let sweat and sebum accumulate in the area. Keep the area clean and dry. These pimples should improve in a weeks time. Read more about home care of pimples.
I am 27, my pant line and clitoris area itches a lot and I have lumps all over my vaginal lips. I apply anti fungal topical cream but it doesn’t seem to work. The itch gets worse when it’s wet. Please help, what do I do?
Any discharge from the vagina?
Sounds like a fungal infection. It would be better to go to a doctor for physical exam to get it confirmed. Read more about candidiasis and how to manage it.
I am 50 yrs old and am not very sexually active anymore. However, I have these hard pea like bumps come up in the inside of my labia and sometimes differ in size. I notice when I wipe how hard they are and coming up in different areas on both sides. What could be the cause of these and why do they not hurt and never come to a head? Just very aggravating..feeling how hard they are while washing or wiping. I have been able to get some core like ball out of small ones in the past. I also have scars from doing that. I really have only investigated the big one. Kinda worried.
Do you have any itching, pain or discharge from these hard lumps?
If yes, let us know, for a better insight into your problem.
These lumps are likely to be bartholin cysts.
There are numerous glands present near the vaginal opening. These are called bartholin cyst, and function as lubricating glands for the vagina.
Sometimes the opening of these glands may become blocked and form cystic swellings, which may harden with time. The lumps are filled with thickened secretions.
These lumps are harmless and need no treatment. If they grow big or cause discomfort, you may try warm compress over them. This would soften the lumps and may help in draining them. The procedure is gentle and slow, it may take 7 to 10 days to gradually soften the lumps and eventually drains them.
Surgical excision of the lumps is also an option.
I’m 18, sexually active. Just recently I felt a lump, maybe the size of a pea, in the front area of the labia. Almost on the bone. It feels almost like a swollen lymph gland or a watery cyst. It is very movable and sort of tender. But being the person I am, I get paranoid. Any answers as to what this might be?
It may be a cyst, containing fluid inside it.
Try warm compress over it as often as possible. This may help draining it gradually. Avoid wearing tight clothes and rubbing in the area. You need to avoid frictional touches over the cyst.
Apart from this, just keep the area clean and dry. Wear loose cotton underwear only. The cyst is likely to regress on its own with time.
If it gets bigger or pains, there are chances of it being infected. In that case, you would require some antibiotics.
Hi, I am 16 and a few months ago I developed a pimple on my the outside of my vagina. Well, they are more like lumps. Two small ones to be precise. I thought it was nothing serious because no pain came from it. But it is not going away and a few days ago I developed another one. Is there any way of me treating this?
Since they are spreading, it is possible that it’s an infection. Read more on the topic above.
Do you have any pain? Is the area around the pimple red or swollen?
There is a bump like thing around the vaginal area. I noticed when I got out of the shower. I tried popping it but no pus or anything came out. I’m a little worried. The bump is tender and kind of hard. I placed a hot towel on it but nothing happened. The bump is very close to my but crack and my vaginal area. It itches a little.
You need to start applying a topical antibiotic, like mupirocin ointment, over the pimple. Apply it twice daily for 3 to 5 days.
Keep the groin region clean and dry.
Hello Doctor, I am having lumps (not pimples). They are hard and painful when touched, outside my vagina for 3 days now. Need your help.
This appears to be an infection. If you are sexually active, you need to get screened for STDs.
It is suggested to see a doctor. Physical examination is required for an exact diagnosis.
Read above about common causes of lumps in the vagina.
Hi..I have bumps on the labia,both sides and they are kinda spreading..looks like it has pus but i tried pressing it and came up with a white fluid,a bit sticky & has a light smell,not pus..it looks pinkish-white..been there couple of weeks,three precisely..what do i do..
You may read here about the management-https://buddymd.com/white-pimples-vagina
Hi….
I have a boil in the vagina . Its very painful and I can’t even walk. It’s very tender and it’s red in color. It’s been 2 days now.
Need to put antibiotic ointment over it. Mupirocin/ bactroban may be used thrice daily.
If it doesn’t get better, you’ll need to go for oral antibiotics.
Hy. I had a small muscle coming out from my vagina. I don’t know what it is and how it comes out there. There is no pain but it is disturbing or say awkward. I tried to pull it out thinking it’s a stomach worm.
Needs to be examined for diagnosis.
pls am 21years I noticed this huge boil in my inner labia two weeks ago and is so painful have taking bills and injections but they didn’t work, pls what can I do or use yo heal it. thx.
This may be an infected gland. You need to be examined for diagnosis.
I have a moveable lump on my labia on the front under my skin, ive had it for as long as i can rememeber, it doesnt hurt or anything its quite small and its not noticeable? Do you have any idea what this could be?
It could be a cyst, caused by clogging of some subcutaneous gland. Or else, it could be knotted fibers or portions of subcutaneous tissue.
Once in awhile I get like these hard bumps on my labia I .ca
N feel them and sometimes they do hurt however when I try to pop them nothing comes out and when I’m done trying to pop it. It gets bigger instead of draining and I do try to pop it
May be popping instills infection into them and makes them grow big. Instead, try warm compress over them. Repeat every day, 2 to 3 times, to soften them, eventually promoting their drainage.
Hey am 13 and a virgin never been sexually activate but I have this lump like on the side of my lips but not directly on it and when I I squeeze it there is some puss and if I squeeze again there’s blood I really don’t wanna go to the doctor because it makes me uncomfortable do you have an idea what it might be or any way I can get rid of it
This is likely to be an infected pimple. You may start doing warm compress over it, twice daily. Also friction over this lump while walking. Wearing lose cotton unders would help.
Also, start applying an antibiotic ointment over it, thrice daily. Mupirocin/ bacitracin may be used.
I’m 14 for the last month or so I have been getting a pimple like bump on only one of my vaginal lips it hurts and feels like I can move it, it usually goes away within a few days after it bleeds but I still don’t kniw what it is and I don’t want to tell anyone what’s happening
Likely to be a pimple. Next time, keep it clean and start applying an antibiotic cream over it, thrice daily. This would help treating the infection in it and prevent spread.