Finding a new growth in the sensitive genital area can cause concern. A small, soft growth on the vulva or surrounding skin is often a benign skin tag, medically known as an acrochordon or fibroepithelial polyp. These growths are extremely common and non-cancerous. Understanding their characteristics and causes can provide significant peace of mind.
Identifying Genital Skin Tags
Genital skin tags are typically small, soft, and movable growths that appear on the skin of the vulva (labia majora and minora) or in the adjacent groin folds. They are usually flesh-colored or slightly hyperpigmented. Most skin tags measure between one and five millimeters, comparable in size to a grain of rice or a small pea.
A key characteristic is that they often hang off the skin by a tiny stalk, making them “pedunculated.” Skin tags are generally smooth and do not cause pain, itching, or discomfort unless repeatedly irritated by clothing or sexual activity. Their appearance in this area results from skin friction, as the vulva and upper thigh crease are high-rub zones.
Understanding the Causes
The primary mechanism driving the formation of skin tags is mechanical friction. The constant rubbing of skin against skin, particularly between the labia or in the upper thigh creases, irritates the tissue, leading to the overgrowth of epidermal cells. This effect is compounded by friction against tight clothing or underwear.
Hormonal fluctuations represent another significant factor. Pregnancy, for instance, is a period when skin tags frequently appear due to substantial shifts in hormone levels, which stimulate cell growth. Increases in sex hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, are thought to promote the cellular changes that result in these growths.
Skin tag presence is often associated with certain metabolic conditions. Individuals with insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, or those who are overweight or obese have a higher incidence. Increased weight can lead to more prominent skin folds, thereby increasing friction. There is also a genetic component, suggesting a predisposition can run in families.
When to Seek Medical Consultation
While most genital skin tags are harmless, any new or changing growth on the vulva requires professional examination for an accurate diagnosis. It is easy to mistake a benign skin tag for other conditions, such as genital warts, which are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts tend to have a rougher, sometimes “cauliflower-like” texture, unlike the smooth surface of a skin tag, and they are contagious.
A medical consultation is advised if the growth exhibits specific warning signs. These include rapid growth, a change in color, or an open sore or ulcer that does not heal within a month. Other concerning symptoms are persistent, unexplained pain or tenderness, unusual bleeding not linked to the menstrual cycle, or thickened, reddish, or white patches of skin. These characteristics can indicate a more serious underlying issue, such as vulvar cancer, requiring prompt diagnostic testing like a biopsy.
Professional Removal Options
Removal of a genital skin tag is typically performed for cosmetic reasons or because the tag is chronically irritated, not due to medical necessity. If a tag is frequently snagged by clothing or during sexual activity, removal prevents ongoing discomfort and potential infection. A healthcare provider, such as a gynecologist or dermatologist, can perform the procedure safely and quickly in an office setting.
Common professional removal techniques include cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the tissue. Another method is cauterization or electrosurgery, where a small electrical current is used to burn the tag off at the base. Simple excision, or snip removal, involves numbing the area and surgically cutting the tag off with sterile scissors or a scalpel. It is important to avoid all forms of at-home removal in this sensitive location, as these methods carry a high risk of excessive bleeding, scarring, infection, and incomplete removal.