Painful Pimples of Female Genitalia

Q: I have almost 10 vaginal pimples. They hurt so bad and I’m worried about them. I am so scared to go to a doctor or even tell my mom as she will also get worried. What do I need to do ? Is their any option? Please help me.
– By Lee

Reply:

We first need to diagnose what those pimple-looking lesions are? Then only we can treat them.

Possible Causes

Vaginal Acne

It is common to have acne during teens and early twenties. This can be attributed to the hormonal changes going on in the body. You may have them anywhere in the body, face, over genitals or over chest.

The tiny oil glands in the area get clogged, leading to acne formation. They occur more during ovulation.

Factors Contributing to Acne Formation

  • Stress, at school or work place.
  • Fatty or oily diet
  • Less of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet
  • Poor hygiene
  • Tight panties or trousers

Vaginal acne can be itchy and painful. You need to take care of them. Never squeeze or pinch an acne, it may get infected.

Read here about treating acne at home.

Allergic Reaction

It may be an allergic reaction to some feminine deodorant, soap, bathing gel, douche or some detergent.

If it is so, just stop using the cosmetic product. You may require some anti-allergic medication also.

Herpes

It may be a STD like herpes or syphilis. Such diseases are sexually transmitted. You have to go to a doctor to get this possibility ruled out.

To make a diagnosis, you require a physical examination by a doctor.

You may try treating the pimples at home. Go to the doctor if:

  • They do not heal.
  • Get infected
  • You notice any ulceration of the pimples
  • Pimples grow in size
  • Pus collects in them
  • Increase in number

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Causes of Painful Acne Over Labia

  1. Karen Lewis

    I developed some tiny bumps inside and outside my genital area which itch a lot. So I tend to scratch them every time it happens and sometimes they bleed and burn badly whenever I shower and after I finish showering.

    I am only 18 years old and I never had sexual intercourse with anyone. This situation had occurred in the last week of December up until this day. I have cxcs in the next three months and I’m afraid this may affect my studies.

    I am too ashamed to go to a dermatologist about this. Isn’t there another solution to this problem, like maybe treating it at home?

    Reply
  2. Alesha Stern

    I’m 20 years old. I’m bisexual but when I have sex I protect myself. I have a bump right on the top of my vagina I squeezed it and white or clear pus came out.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Looks like a vaginal acne. Do you have any pain or redness around the pimple? If yes, it would be better to start applying some topical antibiotic like mupirocin (bactroban) over the pimple.

      Since you are sexually active, as a precautionary step, it is suggested that you get yourself screened regularly for STDs.

      Read more about care of pimples over labia.

      Reply
  3. Mary

    I am 33 weeks pregnant. I have a hard bump on my labia majora. It really didn’t hurt at first. Now it hurts and looks wet and white. I don’t know what to do so I just put neosporin on it when I get out of tub. I have been wearing cotton panties and trying to let it get some air. I went to my doctor appointment and asked my doctor about it. It is only one and I have never had it before. He looked at it for 2 seconds and said oh it looks like herpes. Then did a culture and walked out of the room. He didn’t answer any of my questions or offer another solution. Just said call back in two days. I have been tested for STDs at the beginning of pregnancy and didn’t have anything. This is giving me nightmares.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It is likely to be an infected pimple. There is nothing to worry.

      Just keep the area clean and dry. Do warm compress over it twice a day. After each warm compress, apply mupirocin ointment over it liberally. Read more on dealing with an infected bump over the labia.

      Mupirocin is a better cream to be used. Remember not to pop or squeeze the pimple. However, you may slowly drain it during the warm compress sessions.

      Also, keep your nails trimmed.

      As a precaution, it is good that your doctor is ruling out the possibility of any STD.

      Reply
  4. Des

    I developed a bump on my labia minora and it stings just when being touched. I can walk and sit without pain and do normal stuff. There’s no special color or anything, it’s a normal skin color and so far hasn’t grown. It just worries me because I noticed another one come up. This is the first time it’s ever happened. This started about a few days after I finished my period. I’m not sure if it’s pimples or not, I’ve never been sexually active and so far I haven’t seen any discharge or white heads. There just there.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Very likely to be a pimple. Just keep the area clean and dry. Wear loose cotton undergarments as far as possible, so that moisture doesn’t get trapped there.

      Pimples subside gradually on their own.

      Reply
  5. Sonia

    I am suffering from acne on my labia majora approximately 25 acne. Some acne’s color is red but some acne’s color is according to my skin color. I am unmarried. I have my boyfriend. I did sex with him many time. Please tell me how can I get rid from this problem. I am suffering from last 3 months.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      There are many possible reasons for this. It could be some allergy, may be from the fabric of your underwear, soap being used for the area or condom.

      Or else, may be your hygiene. If the groin area is not washed every day and is moist all the day, it can lead to acne. Just as any other part of the body, you need to keep this area clean. Wash it daily with water while bathing, no soap required. Then wear only loose cotton undies. This is to assure that the area is free from moisture all the day.

      However, since you are sexually active. you need to get yourself screened for the presence of any STD.

      Reply
  6. Anu

    Hi Doc ..im anu im getting pustules like thing over my scalp and also my genital area its very painful it often occurs during ovulation time and it resolves by itself …im married and i want to know whether it is transmittable ..recently my husband alo got some pimples on his scalp so i got scared ..

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Though these are likely to be acne, and are not transmittable, you may get yourself screened for STDs, just to be sure.

      Reply
  7. Meli

    I’m not sure if this is relevant to the situation or not, but I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15 & have been taking birth control ever since to regulate periods. Anyhow, since then I have gotten a bump here & there on the labia minora & today I woke up with one on the labia majora. They are just tender & hurt when touched, they have swelled sometimes but within a few days they go away on their own. I’ve discussed this with my doctor & she’s asked for me to make an appt when it happens, but by the time the date they offer me comes it’s already gone away. Would this just be an ingrown pimple? Why do they come back? I’ve gotten them maybe 1 or 2 times a year maybe.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Ingrown hair are commoner in those who shave down there. Let us know if you shave often.

      This one is likely to be a pimple. Pimples occur more frequently when you’re around you menses, as the glands become active, secreting more of oily secretions.

      Let us know your age. Are you sexually active?

      Reply
  8. Sarah G

    I had sex last week and 2 days ago I discovered a small bump like a pimple . It only hurt if i put pressure down . I scratched it and a little blood came out but no pus . It didn’t look like a blister either because it’s very hard to see because it’s the same color as my skin . By the way it’s under my vagina lips, when you pull the flaps you see it but barely . I kept scratching not that bump looks like deflated and it looks like I scratched it to the point where it like an open scab but it’s very small . I’m Afaird it must be herpes but I’m too embarrassed to tell my parents and doctor .

    Reply
  9. Sarah G

    It seems like I got it the day I used this new scented bar soap from Italy . Do you think that irrated my skin ?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Likely to be a clogged gland that has got infected. Try gentle warm compress over it. This may help it drain. You also need to start applying an antibiotic ointment over it, thrice daily.

      Reply
  10. Sarah G

    For the 1st day it popped at small blood came out & now it’s a small white bump and it’s hard to pop . Would Neosporin help ?

    Reply

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