Vaginal Lumps and Bumps

Lumps, bumps or lesions may arise from the vulva, which comprises of the labia majora and labia minora, and the vaginal canal.

Normal structures like enlarged sebaceous glands (known as Fordyce spots) or ingrown hairs due to hair removal may sometimes form tiny bumps on the vulva that you take notice of. Sometimes, lumps and bumps may arise as a result of variations of what is considered normal. These include skin tags and vestibular papillomatosis, a condition where symmetrical, small bumps occur on the labia minora, often mistaken for warts.

Infection and swelling of normally occurring structures can also give rise to painful lumps.

These include infected hair follicles (known as folliculitis), infected sebaceous cysts and infections of glands found around the vulva or vagina region such as Bartholin cysts.

Other infections, sometimes sexually transmitted, may give rise to abnormal bumps.

Genital warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus.

Herpes can cause painful blisters and ulcers.

A virus called molluscum contagiosum causes pearly bumps that can look similar to warts.

STD Screening is available in our clinics.

Vulval cysts arise from normal glands in the vulva such as Bartholin’s glands, Skene’s glands and sebaceous glands.

When these glands get blocked, they swell up to form cysts such as a Bartholin’s cyst or a sebaceous cyst. These cysts can become infected by bacteria, during which they swell further and become painful and inflamed.

Vaginal cysts are small, painless lumps in the wall of the vagina and may sometimes occur after childbirth.

Small vulval cysts can generally be left alone but if they become infected, antibiotics and drainage of the pus collection may be required. Cysts which are too large or prone to recurrent infections may have to be surgically removed.

Vaginal cysts can generally be left alone unless they cause discomfort or pain.

Genital warts are small rough bumps which may sometimes even resemble cauliflower-like growths. These can occur both on the vulva as well as in the vaginal canal and cervix even. They are caused by some strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is transmitted by skin-to-skin or sexual contact.

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Genital warts can be treated with topical medications, or cryotherapy (freezing off), or electrosurgery (burning off). However, even after treatment, warts can recur as the above treatments do not eradicate the underlying HPV infection.

Genital herpes is a condition caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and manifests as painful blisters which eventually burst to form clusters of painful ulcers in the vulval region. HSV is transmitted through oral or genital secretions and remains in the body for life.

Herpes can flare up from time to time and some individuals may experience several episodes in their life.

There is no cure for herpes but oral antiviral medications and antiviral creams are prescribed to suppress the virus and allow the body to heal.

You should see a doctor if you notice new lumps, if there is a change in the size of the lump, or if it becomes painful. It is also best to get any lumps or lesions that you are unsure about checked.

Wearing breathable, cotton underwear, avoiding tight clothing, and paying attention to hygiene during hair removal may help to reduce the risk of various common bumps like folliculitis and infected glands.

The use of barrier protection during sexual intercourse may also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine, Gardasil 9, is also useful in protecting against certain wart-causing strains of HPV.