Vagina lumps and bumps 

Everyone get a funny lump and bump on their genital area from time to time.  Finding a lump at your genital can be a scary feeling. First of all, don't panic. Your genital skin area is sensitive and its very common to have lumps and bumps that may go away on their own. While it's easy to start searching for a diagnosis from the internet, my recommendation is to ask an experienced doctor to have a look at it before any serious complications arieses. There are several lumps that are harmless such as fordyce spots, vestibular papillomatosis (VP) and skin tags and can be left alone  

This article will look at several common causes of lumps and bumps such as Bartholin cyst, vaginal folliculitis, STD- related lumps and bumps and genital cancer

In the vagina area there are various glands that produces fluid to maintain vaginal lubrication. Bartholin’s cyst is s a small fluid-filled sac just inside the opening of a woman’s vagina. You may feel a small, soft lump near the labia area. If the cyst is blocked and infected, it can sometimes grow larger, becoming red, tender or discharging active pus called Bartholin’s abscess. You can sometimes develop fever from the infection. Depending on the size of the infected cyst, your doctor may decide to start and on oral course of antibiotic and pain medication to help reduce the swelling. However if the size is larger and deeper, your doctor may refer you to gynaecologist for surgery to drain the pus out

Vagina pimple or 'folliculitis' is usually due to an ingrown hair from improper hair removal technique. Waxing and shaving can trigger an infection in the hair follicles surrounding your vulva, thereby resulting in lumps and bumps which can sometime be filled with pus. It is very important to frequently change your razor blade and always shaving in the same direction of the hairs. You could also try switching your hair removal technique with just cutting out the extra hairs with scissor.  Depending on the size, your doctor may prescribe either topical antibiotic or oral antibiotic to clear the infection

There are several sexually-transmitted infection that can present as lumps and bumps at the vulva and vagina areas such as:

• Genital herpes is caused by virus called Herpes Simplex Virus. The first infection ('primary infection') caused painful fluid- filled blisters that often appear in clusters and highly contagious. Sometime you may experience fever, vaginal discharge and burning pain especially when urination. The blisters will gradually ulcerated and form dry scabs and eventually healed. Following the initial infection, the virus is not cleared from the body but remained dormant in the nearby nerve cells. The virus can get reactivated from factors like poor immune system causing recurrence that are usually shorter and less painful. The treatment is by anti-viral tablets and painkillers
• Genital warts is caused by Human Papilloma Virus type 6 and 11. The warts can grow as flesh-colored lumps or cauliflower- like appearance. It can sometime cause itchiness or bleeding with contact. There are several methods of removal including topical acid and cream, electrocautery and cryosurgery. However warts can recur even after removal. You can prevent HPV infection with vaccination such as Gardasil 9
• Syphilis is caused by bacteria Treponema Pallidum and have several stages of infectivity. In primary syphilis, a painless sore called 'chancre' can develop at the genital region. The treatment is with intramuscular injection of penicillin antibiotic
• Molluscum contagiosum is caused by Poxvirus. It appear as multiple painless, small, shiny, smooth bumps like a dome with central core of waxy material around the genital area. It can be treated with topical treatment, cryotherapy and curettage. It can also be transmitted via non-sexual activity such as sharing towel and shaver

Vaginal and vulvar cancer are rare form of cancer due to abnormal tissue growth and more common in older women. Squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina is caused by high- risk strain of Human Papilloma Virus. It can caused abnormal vaginal bleeding unrelated to menses, bleeding after intercourse, abnormal vaginal discharge or issues with bowel movement and urination

No matter what you think of your vaginal lump and bump could be, if you’re really worried, please seek a consultation with your doctor for further evaluation