Lumps And Bumps On Vagina: Causes, Identification, And Treatment

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Sexual Health

Vaginal Lumps and Bumps: Causes, Home Remedies, and When to See a Doctor

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Susan York Morris — Updated on April 11, 2024

Causes
When to see a doctor
Home remedies
Takeaway

Lumps and bumps in and around the vagina are common. They can be harmless or a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Wondering what’s causing lumps, bumps, or discolored skin around your genital area? If so, you’re not alone.

This guide walks you through the causes of changes in this area and when to speak with a healthcare professional.

Terms to know: Vagina vs. vulva

People often use the word vagina when referring to both the internal organ (the vagina) and external genitalia, known as the vulva.

Understanding the difference between the vagina and vulva can help you and a doctor identify the cause of the bumps and lumps you’re experiencing.

The term “vulva” encompasses the:

clitoral hood
clitoris glans
inner and outer labia
vaginal vestibule (outside of the vaginal opening)

The vulva also includes the Skene’s glands and Bartholin’s glands, which produce mucus and other lubricants. They’re found on the inner labia, and the outer labia are also dotted with oil glands.

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’re like folds or pleats of extra tissue when your vagina is relaxed. During sex or childbirth, rugae enable your vagina to expand.

Causes of vaginal lumps and bumps

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

Vulvar cysts

Your vulva has many glands, including oil glands, Bartholin’s glands, and Skene’s glands. If these glands become clogged, a cyst can form.

Cysts vary in size, but most feel like small, hard lumps. They aren’t usually painful unless they become infected.

Cysts typically go away without treatment. If a cyst becomes infected, a doctor can drain it. If there are signs of infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics.

Vaginal cysts

There are several types of vaginal cysts. Vaginal cysts are firm lumps on the wall of the vagina. They’re usually 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 penetration. Occasionally, vaginal cysts need to be drained or removed surgically.

Fordyce spots

Fordyce spots, or sebaceous glands, are small white or yellow-white bumps inside the 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.

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. You may not experience pain, but sometimes they can feel heavy, cause itching, or bleed.

You may have discomfort with penetration or when standing for long periods. A doctor specializing in vein surgery and treatment can treat this condition.

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

Ingrown hair

Shaving, waxing, or plucking pubic hair increases your risk of ingrown pubic hair.

Ingrown hair can cause a small, round, sometimes painful, itchy bump to form. The bump may be filled with pus, and the skin around it may also become darker.

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

Skin tags

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

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

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 itching
white or discolored spots
skin that may tear easily
bleeding or bruising
pain when urinating or during penetration

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

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

Often, the symptoms are so mild that many people 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.

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

Genital warts

Genital warts are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

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

There’s currently no cure for genital warts, but a doctor can remove them by using a prescription cream, laser, or surgery.

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

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 penetration

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

When to connect with a healthcare professional

It’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional if you notice any changes to your body, including a new lump that persists for several weeks.

Several types of doctors can diagnose and help treat conditions that affect the vagina and vulva, including a primary care doctor and an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN).

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

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today:

primary care doctor
obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN)

Quick at-home treatment remedies to try today

You can manage most vaginal bumps and lumps at home. Here’s what 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. If you can’t take several baths a day, this can also help soften cysts. You can buy a sitz bath over the counter at most pharmacies.
Avoid wearing clothing that rubs and chafes your vulva.
Wear underwear made of natural materials, such as cotton. Natural materials are breathable and can help keep your genitals cool and dry.

The bottom line

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

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

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Gavrilov SG. (2017). Vulvar varicosities: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5500487/
Genital herpes – CDC basic fact sheet. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
Genital warts. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/
Ingrown hairs. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ingrown-hairs/
Kraus CN. (2022). Vulvar lichen sclerosus.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2793784
Lee WA, et al. (2023). Bartholin gland cyst.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532271/
Lee Yj, et al. (2020). Vulval cysts.https://dermnetnz.org/topics/vulval-cysts
Lichen sclerosus. (2021). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lichen-sclerosus/
Poizeau F, et al. (2021). Vulvar fordyce adenitis: A cohort of 45 women. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0151963821000399
Sally R, et al. (2021). Benign “lumps and bumps” of the vulva: A review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8484947/
Skin tags. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/skin-tags/
Vaginal cancer. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/vaginal-cancer.html

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Susan York Morris — Updated on April 11, 2024

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media