The vagina is a very sensitive part of your body and needs extra care. It is important to keep the vagina and the area around it at all times. Failing to do so makes it more prone to infections and other conditions.
There are a lot of things women to do to keep the area clean. Some of them include waxing, shaving, and using scented products like soaps. However, these may aggravate an existing condition if you are not aware of it already. Most often, they cause some inflammation or irritation down there. There are different signs you should look out for when it comes to your vagina.
Vaginal Bumps That Every Woman Should Know About
Since the vagina is delicate, it is easy for the skin around it to swell up or turn itchy. Here’s a list of vaginal bumps that you may experience and you must be aware of.
1. Soft, Painless Lump
If you notice a soft, painless lump near the opening of your vagina, it is most likely to be a condition called Bartholin’s cyst.1 This condition is usually harmless and does not cause any serious side effects. There are chances the lump can get bigger. This may cause some amount of pain and discomfort while walking, sitting, or even during sex.
This occurs when there is a block in the Bartholin’s glands. These glands are present near the vaginal opening. These secrete the fluid that acts as a lubricant during sex. The fluid passes through tiny ducts into the vagina. When these ducts get blocked, it causes the formation of a lump.
Any bump in or around your vagina requires immediate attention from a doctor. The doctor may ask you to soak the area in warm water several times a day. Sometimes, if this doesn’t help, a medication may be prescribed. It is best to get yourself checked immediately to rule out any serious health conditions, including sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Skin-Colored Bumps
If you observed a skin-colored bump or multiple bumps on your vagina, then it may be due to a condition called syringoma. These may appear in other parts of the body as well – on the face, in the armpits, umbilicus, and the upper chest.2
This condition occurs when the sweat ducts are blocked and is, generally, a harmless condition. It is important not to remove or pop these bumps yourself because it may cause an infection or irritate the skin around them.
As mentioned earlier, it is important to bring this to the notice of your doctor. These are generally removed or treated through surgery or laser. However, it may not always be successful and may leave scars.
3. Hair Bumps
If you wax or shave down there regularly, you probably notice hair bumps. These are ingrown hair – hair that has grown out of the skin, curled, and re-entered the skin. This can happen when the hair follicle is clogged with dead skin cells.
Sometimes, these can turn red and itchy, causing discomfort almost all the time. These spots can also be filled with pus, which may be the beginning of an infection.3
You can leave these ingrown hair bumps for a while as they tend to disappear on their own. What you can do is avoid squeezing or scratching them as it may lead to infection. Also, keep your razors clean at all times and change the razor blades every three weeks. If these don’t improve in a week’s time, a visit to the doctor is the next best option.
4. Pus-Filled Blisters
These may not be as bad as it sounds! If you observe any pus-filled blisters, then it is usually a sign of vaginal boils. Boils, generally, don’t account for anything serious. They may occur due to an infection in the hair follicle. If enough time is provided, boils commonly disappear on their own.
Applying a warm compress or soaking yourself in a warm bath tub may help speed up the process of healing. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the affected area to avoid infections. To ease the discomfort of having a vaginal boil, wearing loose, cotton underwear and bottoms can help.
If the signs don’t reduce in a week’s time, it is better to consult a doctor to know the exact cause and take the necessary medications if any.
5. Unusual Skin Pigmentation
It is normal for your vaginal area to appear darker than the other parts of your body. However, if you notice a discoloration near the vagina, like a few patches of skin that appear different, it may be a sign of a harmless mole.
You may notice this while you are in the shower or your partner may point it out during sex. These are usually harmless and do not pose a threat to your health in any way. You have to visit the doctor if the skin becomes inflamed, grows larger in size, or turns itchy.
So, if you experience unusual bumps in or around your lady parts, don’t wait it out for too long. It is always best to visit the doctor and know what’s causing the bump.
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