Guide to Vaginal Lumps and Bumps

If you’ve ever understood that lumps, bumps, and, therefore, the complexion of your vagina are normal, you’re not alone. Vaginal bumps and lumps occur daily, especially during your childbearing years or as you age.

Vagina vs Vulva

When people ask about the vagina, they’re often referring to the interior organ. The external genitalia is referred to as the vulva.

The vagina is a muscular tube that leads to your cervix, the opening to your uterus. The highest layer of tissue in your vagina is mucosa, similar to tissue in your nose or mouth. Visible ridges and bumps on the exterior of the vagina are called rugae, which are folds or wrinkles of additional tissue when the vagina is relaxed. During childbirth or sex, rugae enable the vagina to expand.

The vulva includes several organs

• Labia majora are the outer lips of the vulva. The outer side of the labium is where your pubic hair is found. The hairless part of the skin of the inner fold is smooth and contains oil glands known as sebaceous glands.
• Labium is the thin lip of skin surrounding the vaginal opening.
• Skene’s glands and Bartholin’s glands are located on the labium and produce mucus and other lubricants. The labium is also covered with oil glands.

Causes of Vaginal Bumps and Lumps

Bumps and lumps on the vagina and vulva are often normal or might signify a condition that needs medical attention. Here are ten possible causes for changes to your vulva and vagina skin.

1. Vulvar Cysts

Your vulva features several glands, including oil glands, Bartholin’s glands, and Skene’s glands. A cyst can form if these glands become clogged. The size of cysts varies, but most feel like small, hard lumps. Cysts are usually not painful unless they become infected.

Cysts typically resolve without treatment. If a cyst becomes infected, your doctor may need to drain it and could prescribe antibiotics if there are symptoms of infection.

2. Vaginal Cysts

There are several types of vaginal cysts. Vaginal cysts are hard lumps on the wall of the vagina. They’re generally about the size of a pea or smaller. Vaginal inclusion cysts are the most common type of vaginal cyst, often forming after childbirth or injury to the vagina.

Vaginal cysts are usually not painful. They’re uncommon to cause concern unless they result in discomfort during sex. Occasionally, vaginal cysts need to be drained or removed surgically.

3. Fordyce Spots

Fordyce spots, or sebaceous glands, are pale or yellow-white bumps inside your vulva. They are also found on the lips and cheeks. They usually first appear during puberty, and you tend to get more of them as you age. Fordyce spots are painless and not harmful.

4. Varicosities

Varicosities are swollen veins that can occur around your vulva. They occur in about 10% of pregnancies or with aging. They appear as bluish-raised bumps or swollen veins around the labium majora. You may not experience pain, but sometimes they can feel heavy, cause itching, or bleed.

Pregnant women typically do not require treatment since varicosities recede about six weeks after delivery. They often reoccur with a subsequent pregnancy.

Non-pregnant women may experience embarrassment or discomfort during intercourse or standing for long periods. It’s estimated that about 4% of all women will develop these. Vein surgery and treatment by a specialist can treat this condition.

5. Hair

Shaving, waxing, or plucking pubic hair increases your risk for ingrown pubic hair. These will cause small, round, sometimes painful or itchy bumps. The bump may also be filled with pus, and the skin around it may become darker.

Don’t attempt to extract the hair alone, as that could cause infection. In most cases, it will resolve without treatment. See a doctor if it becomes inflamed, which could be a sign of infection.

6. Vaginal Skin Tags

Skin tags are small, protruding flaps of extra skin. They don’t cause discomfort or harm unless they catch or rub on something and become irritated. If your skin tags are bothersome, your doctor may remove them surgically or with a laser.

7. Lichen Sclerosis

Lichen sclerosis is a rare skin condition primarily affecting women who have gone through menopause. It’s most frequently seen on the vulva and around the anus. Symptoms may include:

• Itching, often severe
• Thin, shiny skin that tears easily
• White spots that may turn into light patches
• Bleeding or bruising
• Wrinkled skin
• Blisters, which can or may not be filled with blood
• Pain during urination or sex

Lichen sclerosis is typically treated with corticosteroid cream or ointment, but it can return after treatment. Women with lichen sclerosis have a relatively increased risk of vulvar cancer.

8. Herpes Genitalis

Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes is transmitted by oral, vaginal, or anal sex. An estimated one in five Americans has genital herpes. The symptoms are often so mild that people with herpes are unaware they have the condition.

The first outbreak of herpes produces symptoms similar to the flu, including:

• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Large sores
• Pain in the genitals, bottom, and legs

Later, herpes symptoms may include:

• Tingling or itching
• Multiple red bumps that become blisters or painful pimples
• Ulcers or small indentations

Herpes symptoms clear up over time but may return. Over time, most people experience fewer and less severe outbreaks.

There is no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral medications help control the severity and duration of symptoms.

9. Genital Warts

Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts. They are spread through vaginal and anal sex, and less commonly, through oral sex.

Many people have genital warts and don’t realize it. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Itching or burning
• Cauliflower-like clusters of small skin-colored bumps
• Rough patches of closely spaced warts

Genital warts can grow on your anus, vulva, or in your vagina. There is no cure for genital warts, but they can be removed by your doctor or with prescription creams, laser treatment, or surgery.

10. Cancer

Cancers of the vulva are rare, and cancers of the vagina are even rarer. Symptoms of precancerous or cancerous conditions may include:

• Raised or flat sores or bumps on your vulva
• Skin color that’s lighter or darker than the surrounding skin
• Thickened patches of skin
• Pain, itching, or burning
• Sores that don’t heal within a couple of weeks
• Discharge or unusual bleeding

Vulvar cancer is most common in older women and those who smoke. You’re also at greater risk if you’ve been infected with the HPV virus.

Vaginal and vulvar cancers can be detected by examining tissue from suspicious lesions under a microscope.

When to See a Doctor

It’s a good idea to see a doctor if you’re unsure about changes to your body. You should visit your doctor if you have a new lump that doesn’t go away for a couple of weeks. Also, see your doctor if you have pain or signs of infection, such as:

• Discharge from the lump that contains blood or pus
• Symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease

If you still need to find an OBGYN, the Healthline FindCare tool can assist you in finding a physician in your area.

Treatment

Vaginal lumps often don’t require treatment. If they need medical assistance, treatment depends on their cause.

Most vaginal bumps and lumps can be managed at home. Here are some methods to help relieve symptoms:

• If you have cysts, take warm baths several times a day to help the cyst drain.
• Avoid wearing clothing that chafes and rubs your vulva.
• Wear cotton underwear. Natural materials like cotton are breathable and help keep your genitals cool and dry.

Outlook

Vaginal lumps are unlikely to be a cause for concern. Most will go away on their own or can be treated or managed at home. If you have a sexually transmitted disease, it can usually be managed with treatment, but starting treatment early is essential to reduce the risk of complications.