Finding a lump or bump in the genital area often causes immediate concern. The vulva is anatomically complex, featuring various glands and structures that can change appearance. While many worry that new growths signal a serious condition, the majority of lumps on the vulva or around the vaginal opening are normal anatomical variations or the result of common, temporary skin conditions. Understanding the natural landscape of the vulva helps determine what is typical and what requires medical attention.
The Normal Anatomy of the Vulva and Vagina
The vulva, which encompasses the external female genitalia, is not a uniformly smooth surface. Structures like the labia majora are covered in hair follicles, sebaceous glands (oil glands), and sweat glands. The presence of these glands means the area is prone to minor skin changes, such as small pimples, which can become noticeable or inflamed.
The vagina itself is the muscular canal leading to the cervix and has a textured inner lining. This lining consists of folds and ridges called rugae, which allow the vagina to expand during sexual activity or childbirth. These natural ridges can sometimes be mistaken for lumps during self-examination. Another normal anatomical variant is Vestibular Papillomatosis, which appears as tiny, harmless, finger-like projections around the vaginal opening, often misidentified as genital warts.
Common Benign Causes of Vulvar Bumps
Many lumps in the genital region are non-threatening and often resolve without aggressive medical intervention. Ingrown hairs and folliculitis are frequent causes, occurring when hair removal causes a hair to curl back into the skin or when a follicle becomes mildly infected. This irritation presents as a small, round, sometimes painful, and pus-filled bump that typically clears up on its own.
Sebaceous cysts, also called epidermal inclusion cysts, result from blocked oil glands or hair follicles. These cysts feel like firm, round lumps underneath the skin of the labia majora and are generally painless unless infected. Fordyce spots are also highly prevalent, appearing as small, painless, white or yellow-white dots on the inner labia. These spots are simply enlarged, normal sebaceous glands that become more visible in the thin vulvar skin, and they are neither infectious nor harmful.
Skin tags are small, benign flaps of extra skin that can develop anywhere on the vulva, often due to friction. While harmless, they can be removed if they cause irritation or discomfort. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that manifests as small, pearly-white or skin-colored bumps, usually 1 to 2 millimeters in size. These lesions are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and are generally self-limiting, though their presence in adults warrants testing for other sexually transmitted infections.
Inflammatory and Infectious Causes Requiring Treatment
Certain types of bumps arise from inflammation or infection and necessitate professional diagnosis and specific medical treatment. Bartholin’s cysts occur when the duct of one of the two Bartholin glands, located just inside the vaginal opening, becomes obstructed, causing a fluid-filled sac to form. If the fluid becomes infected, it can quickly develop into a painful, tender abscess that makes walking or sitting difficult. These infected abscesses often require drainage and sometimes antibiotic treatment.
Genital warts, caused by certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), are a common sexually transmitted infection. They present as small, skin-colored bumps or rough patches that may cluster together, sometimes appearing with a cauliflower-like texture. While there is no cure for the underlying viral infection, a healthcare provider can remove the warts using prescription creams, freezing, or surgical methods.
Genital herpes is a viral infection that causes painful, fluid-filled blisters on the labia or around the genital region. Before the blisters appear, a person may experience a tingling, itching, or burning sensation, known as a prodrome. Once the blisters rupture, they leave behind small, shallow, painful ulcers that crust over and heal, and outbreaks can recur periodically. Although herpes is a lifelong infection, antiviral medications manage symptoms, reduce the frequency of outbreaks, and decrease the risk of transmission.
The vulvar skin is also susceptible to contact dermatitis, an inflammatory reaction occurring after exposure to an irritant or allergen. Common triggers include soaps, detergents, lubricants, and certain fabrics, causing the skin to become intensely itchy, inflamed, and sometimes swollen or bumpy. This condition is managed by identifying and avoiding the triggering substance, often alongside the temporary use of prescribed topical corticosteroid creams to soothe the inflammation.
When a Bump Signals a Need for Medical Consultation
While most vulvar bumps are benign, specific characteristics and accompanying symptoms should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. Any new lump or growth that persists for several weeks without healing requires professional evaluation. A change in the appearance of a bump, such as rapid growth, a change in color, or the development of an irregular border, should be examined immediately.
Seek medical attention if the bump is accompanied by severe or escalating pain, unusual discharge, or bleeding unrelated to the menstrual cycle. Other concerning signs include a lump that bleeds easily when touched or an open sore that does not heal after a month. The presence of fever and chills alongside the lump may indicate a systemic infection. Though vulvar cancer is rare, persistent or changing skin lesions—especially those that are red, white, or dark-pigmented with a raw or rough surface—must be evaluated to rule out serious conditions.