A bump on your vulva is almost always caused by something common and treatable. The most likely culprits are ingrown hairs, clogged oil glands, or small cysts, though sexually transmitted infections and normal anatomy can also be responsible. What the bump looks like, how it feels, and where exactly it sits can help you narrow down what’s going on.
Ingrown Hairs and Folliculitis
If you shave, wax, or remove hair from your bikini area, ingrown hairs are the single most common reason for a bump down there. An ingrown hair happens when a strand of hair curls back into the skin instead of growing outward. It typically looks like a small, tender, red bump, sometimes with a visible hair trapped underneath or a white pus-filled center that resembles a pimple. These bumps can sting or itch but usually resolve on their own within a week or two.
Sometimes bacteria get inside the trapped hair follicle and cause an infection called folliculitis. This makes the bump more swollen, more painful, and more likely to fill with pus. A warm compress held against it for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day can help it drain. If the area becomes increasingly red, hot, or spreads outward, that’s a sign the infection needs treatment.
To reduce your chances of getting ingrown hairs in the future: exfoliate gently before shaving, use a clean and sharp razor, shave in one direction only, and avoid shaving the same area every single day. Applying a cold, damp cloth right after shaving also helps cut down on irritation.
Bartholin’s Cyst
Bartholin’s glands sit on either side of the vaginal opening, roughly at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions near the base of the labia. They’re normally pea-sized and you can’t feel them. But if the duct that drains one of these glands gets blocked, fluid backs up and forms a cyst. About 2% of women develop a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess in their lifetime.
A Bartholin’s cyst feels like a round, firm lump on one side of your vaginal opening. Small ones may not hurt at all, and you might only notice them by touch. Larger ones can cause discomfort when sitting, walking, or during sex. If the cyst becomes infected and turns into an abscess, it grows quickly, becomes very painful, and the surrounding skin may feel warm and look red.
Soaking in a sitz bath (sitting in a few inches of warm water) three to four times a day can help a Bartholin’s cyst burst and drain on its own. After soaking, pat the area dry gently with a clean towel rather than rubbing. If the cyst doesn’t improve after several days of sitz baths, or if it becomes very painful and swollen, a healthcare provider can drain it in a quick office procedure.
Fordyce Spots and Other Normal Variations
Not every bump is a problem. Fordyce spots are tiny, slightly raised bumps caused by oil glands that are a completely normal part of your skin. They show up in 70% to 80% of adults. They look white, yellowish, pale red, or skin-colored, and they’re small, typically 1 to 3 millimeters (about the size of a sesame seed or smaller). They can appear as a single spot or in clusters. They aren’t contagious, aren’t sexually transmitted, and don’t need any treatment.
Another normal variation is vestibular papillomatosis, which looks like small, soft, finger-like projections on the inner labia. These are sometimes mistaken for genital warts, but they’re simply part of your anatomy. The key difference is that vestibular papillae are evenly spaced and uniform in size, while warts tend to be irregular.
Genital Warts From HPV
Genital warts are caused by certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) and spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. They can be so small you barely see them, or they can cluster together in a raised formation that resembles the top of a cauliflower. They’re usually the same color as your skin and can be either flat or raised. The important thing to know: genital warts are almost always painless. If your bump doesn’t hurt at all and has an irregular, rough texture, HPV could be the cause.
Genital Herpes
Herpes bumps look and feel quite different from warts or cysts. They typically appear as a cluster of small blisters that can burst and leave behind red, open sores. They’re often painful, with a burning or stinging sensation. Many people notice a tingling or burning feeling in the area before the blisters even become visible, along with itching or irritation. If your bump started as a blister, is painful, and appeared in a group rather than as a single lump, herpes is worth considering. A healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis with a simple swab test, and it’s easiest to test when the sore is still fresh.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that produces small, pearly, dome-shaped bumps. The telltale sign is a tiny dimple or pit in the center of each bump. If you squeeze one (though you shouldn’t), it releases a white, cheese-like material. In adults, it often spreads through sexual contact. The bumps are painless and can last for months, but they eventually clear on their own. They can, however, spread to other areas of your skin or to partners in the meantime.
When a Bump Needs Attention
Most vulvar bumps are harmless, but a few features warrant a closer look. Pay attention to any bump that persists for more than a few weeks without improving, keeps growing, bleeds without explanation, or is accompanied by changes in skin color. Persistent itching or tenderness in the same spot, or a growth that looks like a wart or ulcer and won’t heal, can in rare cases point to vulvar cancer. A biopsy, where a small tissue sample is taken and examined, is the only way to confirm or rule that out.
A single bump that appeared after shaving, feels like a pimple, and starts shrinking within a few days is almost certainly nothing to worry about. A bump that’s been there for weeks, is getting bigger, or came with other symptoms like unusual discharge or fever is worth getting checked.