What Are Those White Bumps on Your Vagina?

Q: I have white bumps under the skin on the right side of my vagina. They do not hurt, bleed or leak. They are just there. I’ve popped two and they don’t go away. I have been tested for HPV and herpes along with all the others with a swab and blood test. What can these be and how do I get rid of them?
-By Kati

Reply:

These bumps could be tiny pus-filled pimples or acne in the vaginal region.

Just as we have pimples elsewhere on the body, we may get them on the genital area as well.

The skin of the vaginal area, including the lower part of the muscular vaginal canal, has plenty of bartholin glands. These glands secrete an oily secretion that is helpful in lubricating the area.

Sometimes, the duct draining the gland gets blocked. Secretions keep accumulating there to form a cystic bump-like lesion.

These bumps may appear as tiny white dots.

These swollen glands may sometimes get infected and get filled with pus. This may happen due to simple friction while walking or when we try to squeeze or pop the pimples with our hands. This imparts infective bugs from our hands to the pimples. So, never squeeze or pop a pimple with your hands.

You may read about 3 simple and quick methods to treat them yourself.

Why Do White Pimples Occur on the Vagina?

Causes include excessive sweating and secretions in the area and hormonal fluctuations. This is more in teenage and early twenties. Pimples may appear anywhere over the body. Read more on occurrence of white pimples on the vagina.

When we wear tight clothes, especially the ones made up of non-absorbent fabrics, moisture gets trapped in the region. This also predisposes to pimple formation.

Other Causes of White Bumps on Vagina

Besides white vaginal pimples, these white bumps could be:

  • Lesions due to a vaginal infection, such as candidiasis. It is usually accompanied by vaginal discharge.
  • Herpes or other STDs.
  • HPV

It is essential to rule out these conditions.

Management

Just keep the area clean and dry.

Wear loose cotton underwears. Don’t let moisture stay there for long time.

You may soon observe that these pimples disappear gradually. If any one of them becomes painful or red, apply mupirocin skin ointment over it for a week. Read further about caring for such pimples.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “White Pimples on Vagina

  1. May

    White pimples on the labia. I am freaking out worrying I could have herpes. I have whiteheads on my labia area around my clitoris. I have popped them, and they are exactly a like a whitehead that one would get on the face. I am so worried because it’s not just 1-2, its like 15 or so of them. Are they normal? When I pop them, white stuff comes out, nothing clear nor yellow though. This is the first time this has happened. I always keep the area clean. So I regularly use summers eve feminine wash, but cash was tight this week so I bought a cheaper brand of feminine wash and then this happened. So, could that have caused it?
    Do herpes genitals pop exactly like whiteheads?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Doesn’t sound like herpes. Herpes usually begins with a rash that develops into a blister (as is burns). Blisters are filled this clear fluid which may be yellow or clear in look. Though lesions are in clusters, they have a tendency to ulcerate.

      Also, herpes lesions are painful. Read more about differentiating between genital herpes and genital pimples

      Herpes is almost always contracted when you have been close to someone affected by it. Have you recently had sex with anyone sick with this disease? If yes, it would be better to visit a doctor to rule out herpes.

      It is common to get pimples in early adulthood. Do not pop or squeeze them. This will only infect these white pimples. Read here about getting rid of those white pimples by simple steps.

      Reply
  2. tasha

    I had sex with my dude the other day and after that we went for a swim in the beach. We came back and I slept with my wet panties. This morning, I’ve woken up with an itchy vagina and white swellings. Please help.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Wash your genital area properly and keep it dry, properly ventilated all day. It is likely that the white swellings would go own its own.

      If it doesn’t, let us know.

      Reply
  3. Buddy M.D. Post author

    No, they are not normal, though very common. Read above in detail about white bumps on vagina.

    Reply
  4. Karen

    I have a white pimple on the left side of my labia and I have it for a couple of weeks. How can I get rid of the pimple?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Do warm compress over it twice a day on a regular basis. This would soften the pimple and help in draining it.

      Also, keep your groin area clean and dry.

      Reply
  5. nikki

    About 4 days, my vagina was itching badly. I washed it from alum and neem leaf. It has become red and there is white dots on sides of vagina and small pimples on the vulva. It is itching and has been swallowed badly. Give ideas to reduce this.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Keep the area clean and dry. Read above about getting white pimples down there.

      Are you getting any discharge from your vagina?
      Let us know to help us solve your problem better.

      Reply
  6. Liliana reyes

    Hi! I need help. I’m 20 years old, have two babies and since I had my first baby I got some white spots near my vagina. I took care of it and it went away but now I get small bumps around and near it. Now that I wipe or have sex, it burns and hurts to do the restroom and it gets really itchy inside my vagina it gets build up like toilet paper but I try using wipes to see if it would stop but it stills build up. Please help.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Avoid using wipes for some time. Clean the area liberally with plain water, each time you use the wash room.

      Read above about taking care of the white pimples.

      Reply
  7. ABC

    It’s been months now having these white pimples that develop on my vagina, and after I pop them, there’s something like a bump left! What is it and how can I treat it?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Popping them may infect the pimples.

      You may apply mupirocin ointment over them, twice daily for a week. Also, keep the groin region clean and dry. Wear loose cotton underwear to avoid friction and let the region be well ventilated.

      Reply
  8. Kelley

    I have a small white pimple like bump where my pubic hair is, but close to the clitoris. I’m wondering what this is and what may cause them. I do shave regularly, but I’ve only ever noticed it until now, it is slightly painful to push on. Is this just an ingrown hair or something more serious?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Since it is white, it’s likely to have some pus in it. Apply a topical antibiotic, like mupirocin, over it. Keep the area well ventilated and dry.

      Read above in details.

      Reply
  9. embarrassed

    I have these little white bumps on the inside lips of my vagina. They have been there for awhile. Maybe 10. I try to pop them, but just a little bit of white stuff comes out. Help me.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      These bumps are likely to be pimples. The white stuff coming out may be trapped sebum in them.

      To get rid of them, maintain good hygiene down there. Wash the area daily with water and keep it dry. Wear loose cotton underwear to let the area breathe throughout the day.

      If you don’t let any debris or moisture to accumulate there, pimples would not occur. Read more on the topic in the article above.

      Reply
  10. Leslie

    I just got a white bump on my lips of my vagina and it hurts. I don’t know if it is a white pimple please help me 🙁

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Start applying a topical antibiotic cream, like mupirocin (bactroban), over it. Use it twice daily for a week.

      Avoid friction over the pimple.

      Reply
  11. Sarah

    I’m 17 and I’m a virgin. In my inner lips and above my clitoris, I have many little dots and I have them since I remember and thought they were normal. But now I’m not sure. These dots are one after the other and if I try to pop them sometimes a little white liquid comes out. I shave with razer down there many times, just because I hate hair. I thought till now that it was from the skin since I can’t really see those things. Only when I stretch the skin, what do you think it can be? I’m really scared and afraid to ask my mother to go to the gyne because she will think I’m having sex when I’m not. Please help me and thank you.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Likely to be pimples. Since they are not bothering you, don’t fiddle with them. Leave them as such.

      Just keep the area clean and dry. Wash it twice daily with plain water only. No soap or gel. Wear loose cotton underwear to assure that moisture doesn’t get accumulated there.

      Eat healthy, lots of fruits and vegetables.

      The pimples are likely to subside on their own with time.

      Reply
  12. Amy

    Ever since I was a teenager, I have had pimple like bumps on my labia minora and the area just below my pubic hair. It’s not just one or two but a lot that cover almost the whole area. When I was younger and I first noticed this. I had very bad feminine care habits like not washing and wearing the same pair of underwear frequently. Now that I’m older I am much better about cleaning daily and always wearing fresh underwear but I still have the pimple like bumps. They aren’t itchy or painful only if I pick at them. I have never had sex. When I do squeeze them white pus comes out but the pimple doesn’t go away. Please help!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Very likely to be related to your hygiene habits. You just need to wash down there with plain water, no soap or gel required.

      Wear loose cotton underwear as far as possible. Read above in detail about the care.

      Reply
  13. L.B.L

    So I’ve had these three small little white pimples on my labia. They don’t hurt at all, Only when I squeeze them or anything like that. Like a normal pimple. I’ve had them for about 2 years, They don’t bother me. I just wanna know what they are exactly? Are they bad? Or is it normal?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It’s common to get such pimples in the vaginal area.

      Most pimples do not hurt or itch till they get infected. You are likely to be maintaining good hygiene down there, so the pimples stay non infected.

      You may leave them as such. The pimples would regress on their own.

      Reply
  14. victoria

    pls I have these little dots inside my vagina it doesn’t hurt or bother me I have them for like 6 months now. am beginning to get worried cux my hygiene is okay.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      These are likely to be tiny pimples. You get them in young adult years.

      Just keep the area clean. Also, eat healthy. Avoid fried fatty food stuff. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

      Reply
  15. Lupe

    So time back I had noticed very small like pimples but when I pop them like a white/clear little ball comes out and they have become more recently I noticed that they appeared closer to my putter lips. Idk am nervous I’ve had them for a while and they don’t go away I also keep good hygiene

    Reply
  16. Shinsei

    I often get pimples there. It started about a year ago when I first had one. I still have that but its not aching or itchy. Right now I have two. The one is not pimple but like a bump while the other is a bit bigger but not bumpy at has like white skinnon top. I am not sure if its something serious but I havent consulted a doctor yet. I am afraid. Help

    Reply
  17. Fed up

    I have white pimples sometimes. It hurts when needs to pop has a odor. I have no discharge in vagina just odor once I pop the white bump could be real white or light yellow. I’ve went years ago they said I’m ok but years later there’s more and now starting to have a yellowish and odor. Please help.

    Reply
  18. Niquey

    I have being having some white substance formed in the lips and clitoris of my vagina. Sometimes, I try to take it out but once I got to bed it’s right there all over again. It doesn’t itch until I try to take it out. I honestly don’t know what to think or do? Yes. I have being having sex, but I always use protection. Help please.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Appears normal.

      Sexual activities may increase the amount of vaginal secretions. Also, secretions may some what thicken.

      Reply
  19. Sara

    Hey I had small bumps on my outer labia that look like milia, when I squeeze them, they literally peel off as a white bead, what could it be? It bleeds a bit when it peels off, no pain, and then it doesn’t mark and it’s like they were never there! Almost like a layer of dry skin and oil

    Reply
  20. Shelley

    I’m 63 yrs old and I have noticed 2 white pimples on my labia minora and I looked at them because it was itchy on that side. I need some medical advice to get rid of these please. I did not pop them.

    Thank you

    Reply
  21. emily

    i’m 16 and yesterday morning i was in the shower and i noticed that my vagina was sore and i thought it was just a pimple so i didnt make a big deal out of it but later that night i took a bath and noticed i was VERY sore and when i checked i had a LOT of pimple like bumps i dont know what to do!! it doesnt look like herpes at all it’s the same colour as my skin only some of them have white heads the only reason it looks irritated is because i’ve been touching it it wasnt irritated before please help how do i get rid of it
    ps i’m sexually active and i only recently got on birth control so i dont use protection but my boyfriend got tested recently and he was clean and we only have sex with each other so i’m 100% sure it’s not herpes
    pps i had a very light period due to my recent birth control so i didnt change my pad as often as i shoukd and i did go hiking a lot right after shaving maybe that’s the cause?

    Reply
  22. Lily

    I had given birth via episiotomy about 3 months ago everything has healed nicely but I have recently notice small white pimple like bumps around my vagina it got extemly itchy at a stage now not so much itchy it burns abit and is abit tender from rubbing on it wanted to know if it was a hormone change in my body or what really caused it and how to take it away

    Reply
  23. Lily

    I know its not an std or still or hurpies I’ve only been with one guy for a year now and he’s clean I’ve been applying some Vaseline to it and it seems yo help with the itchiness and the burning

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      This is very common as the episiotomy scar heals. In fact, this indicates that the scar is healing quite well.

      Avoid scratching that area. You may keep your nails trimmed to avoid any chance of injury there. Also, don’t stretch the region for some days.

      You need to keep the affected region well lubricated. Butter cream/ vaseline, any thing is fine.

      Let us know if the area pains or turns red at any point.

      Reply
  24. Lauren

    I had a white bump on top of my clitoral hood which I popped and just white sebum came out of. It didn’t really hurt until after and today I noticed the lump is still there so I squeezed it to see if anything would come out and I’ve made it hurt so much more. I’ve had a look and there was no head or anything but just a lump under (like a spot you get on your face that never comes to head) and now it’s red since I’ve been trying to squeeze it earlier. I noticed it was getting painful rubbing against my pants and put some thrush cream on which has relieved the pain. I am sexually active, been having much more sex lately too because we are trying for a baby. I’ve had a full STI screening when I met my partner – both of us did and have never had anything like this. Is it even possible to get spots on your clitoral hood?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Too much of squeezing could have inflamed or infected it. If it pains, you may need antibiotics. Any antibiotic cream may be applied over it thrice daily.

      This dosen’t sound like a STI. You may leave it as such and observe. Likely to regress on its own with time.

      Reply
  25. Shreya

    I have white spots inside my labia minora….. Not a bumb or pimple…… It is very very itchy …..it doesn’t give any discharge or odour or have changed the color of my vagina…… But is very uncomfortable… Im not sexually active

    Reply
  26. N

    Hello, I started having pain and felt swelling in my vagina. I checked and found 2 painful lumps and 2 little ones all on the same same side of my vagina. They’re white, no head like a pimple it’s flat and white. I am late 30s, not sexually active. If not an STD, what could it be? I’m worried and in pain. Thank you.

    Reply
  27. P

    hi! i’ve noticed lately that i have what appear to be tiny white pimples on my inner labia area(near the clitoral hood)… I squeezed one because i wasn’t sure if they were pus filled or if my skin in that area had gotten swollen for some reason(the latter worried me more), it seems they are pus filled since a white fluid came out(pretty similar to that one of a regular face pimple) and it did not hurt at all, they actually go overall unnoticed for me since i can’t feel them and they don’t cause any physical discomfort… i just don’t like the way they look even though they are small, and would like to get rid of them. I am 21 and sexually innactive, i do exercise regularly and i’m starting to consider that perhaps the delay in time between workouts and showering could be the reason i have these, however, i do shower everyday. Is this a normal condition? and if so what can i do to treat and avoid it? is there also a chance it could be hormonal? (i haven´t had a gyne appointment in my whole life, would it be necessary for this case?)

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It’s normal for your age to have them. Likely to be due to hormonal surges in early 20s.

      You can help yourself by showering daily and altering your diet.

      Clean the area nicely with ample water while bathing. No soaps or gels there, just plain cool water. Eat healthy. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Avoid junk food, fatty greasy food stuff.

      Reply

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