Bumps or Swellings Around the Vulva
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Bumps or swellings around the vulva
Lumps, boils or abscesses in the genital area
Masses in the genital area
About the Symptom
The external female genitalia is called the vulva. It includes the outer folds (labia majora) and inner folds (labia minora) of skin around the vaginal opening. Bumps or swelling around this area of female genitalia.
Possible Causes
Generally, Bumps or swellings around the vulva can be related to:
- Condyloma Acuminatum
Often referred to as genital warts, this sexually transmitted infection is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and presents as small skin coloured bumps in the groin or perianal area. HPV is very common in women and men who have ever had sex - four out of five people will have HPV at some point in their lives, and most won't even know it.
- Papillary Hidradenoma
This is a non-cancerous tumor found most commonly on the vulva, in the female genital area. It presents as a firm, skin-red colored bump that is slow-growing. It can ulcerate and cause symptoms. Exact cause is unknown.
- Uterine Prolapse
Uterine prolapse is when the uterus (womb) falls down the vagina or protrudes outside the body. This occurs as the supporting muscles and tissues become weakened and less elastic and are unable to maintain the uterus in its normal position. This condition is more common after multiple childbirths or with increasing age. Depending on the degree of prolapse, this can cause pelvic pain, problems with urination and with bowel movements.
- Vulvar Cancer
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Rashes
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have any lumps or boils in your genital area?
- How has the vulva bumps or swellings changed since they first appeared?
- Have you experienced bumps or swellings around the vulva before?
- How long have you had bumps or swellings around the vulva?
Reviewed By:
Ravi P. Chokshi, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care)
Current Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with Dual board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Critical Care Medicine. | 5+ years experience managing a general Ob/Gyn practice and working in the Intensive Care Unit. | Previously Physician Lead of a large single specialty practice with 8 Physicians and 10+ Advanced practitioners. | Member of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Patient education committee. | Frequent Medscape Consult contributor.
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Labia Discomfort? Why Your Labia Chafes & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Labia chafing and discomfort are common, often due to friction and moisture, but can also stem from hormonal changes, skin conditions, infections, or natural anatomy; there are several factors to consider, and key distinctions and causes are outlined below. Start with breathable cotton, thin barrier creams, gentle external cleansing, and hair removal tweaks, but see a clinician for persistent pain, swelling, skin changes, fever, or discharge; in anatomy-related cases, labiaplasty may be considered after conservative care, with benefits, risks, and urgent red flags detailed below.
References:
* Al Abri A, Al-Marhoobi N, Al-Hashimi N. Vulvar Pruritus. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2017 Aug;17(3):e267-e274. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2017.17.03.004. Epub 2017 Oct 16. PMID: 29118933; PMCID: PMC5666723.
* Owen JL, Fang S, Davis MD, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis of the vulva and vagina. Dermatitis. 2011 Sep-Oct;22(5):264-75. doi: 10.1097/DER.0b013e318227b7b1. PMID: 21929947.
* Kirtschig G. Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Clinical Course and Management. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Jul 26;8:707534. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.707534. PMID: 34386419; PMCID: PMC8350125.
* Eckert LO. Diagnosis and Treatment of Vaginitis. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016 Oct;25(10):1089-1095. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2016.6027. PMID: 27727191.
* Kaye L, Patel K, Bhoyroo S, et al. Vulvodynia: an update on pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Expert Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2021;16(2):167-175. doi: 10.1080/17474108.2021.1920537. Epub 2021 May 10. PMID: 34091931.
Q.
Blue Waffles? Why Your Vulva is Discolored and Your Medical Next Steps
A.
Blue waffles is not a real disease; no STI turns the vulva blue. While color can vary normally, sudden or painful blue or purple changes can be due to yeast or BV, STIs with sores, bruising or hematomas, vulvar varicose veins, skin conditions like lichen sclerosus, or rarely a dangerous infection. Your next steps depend on your symptoms and how fast they are changing. There are several factors to consider, including urgent red flags versus when to book testing, so see the complete guidance below to choose the safest path forward.
References:
* Abarzúa-Araya A, Garrido-Tapia M, Pérez-Meseguer E, Poblet E. Vulvar Pigmentation: A Comprehensive Review. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2020 Apr;111(3):195-207. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2019.08.013. Epub 2020 Jan 14. PMID: 32338531.
* Cooper SM, Ali I, Baldo M, Eldridge G, Francis N, Griffiths M, Hussain H, Kirtschig G, Lawson N, Lewis F, Marren P, O'Mahony C, Rajkumar S, Singh M, Wakelin S. Lichen Sclerosus: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2018 Feb;8(1):3-16. doi: 10.1007/s13555-017-0205-z. Epub 2017 Dec 29. PMID: 29289269; PMCID: PMC5809795.
* Tchelebi L, Khan M, Patel V, Litschkus V, Kunkel G, Bivik C, Al Sannaa GA, Pindur L. Vulvar melanoma: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. Int J Dermatol. 2022 Jul;61(7):820-829. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15933. Epub 2022 Feb 16. PMID: 35165147.
* Blum K, Herschman G, Magno T, Goldberg L. Pigmented lesions of the vulva: Clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological features. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020 Mar 27;6(3):167-172. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.03.003. PMID: 32656372; PMCID: PMC7349940.
* Rallis E, Ntritsos G, Christou E, Koukouli M, Stavropoulou E. Vulvar dermatoses: an overview of diagnosis and management. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023 Feb 1;16:267-285. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S397577. PMID: 36737330; PMCID: PMC9899324.
Q.
Is Your Clitoris Hurting? Why You Have Pain & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Clitoral pain is common and usually treatable, most often from friction or irritation, yeast infections, minor inflammation, or hormonal changes, though STIs, cysts or bumps, smegma buildup, and nerve pain can also be causes. There are several factors to consider. Try gentle care, rest, loose cotton underwear, lubrication, and appropriate OTC yeast treatment, but seek medical care if symptoms persist or worsen, or you notice sores, fever, spreading redness, pus, a painful lump, or pain after injury. See complete guidance below for detailed causes, red flags, and the exact next steps your clinician may take.
References:
* Miller J, D'Amico M, Shahab S, Kaddoura R, Chen B. Clitorodynia: A Comprehensive Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Curr Sex Health Rep. 2022 Mar;14(1):31-41. doi: 10.1007/s11930-022-00305-w. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35063079.
* Patel R, Ma R, Kanwal D, et al. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Vulvodynia: An Update. Curr Sex Health Rep. 2020 Mar;12(1):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s11930-020-00262-4. Epub 2020 Feb 28. PMID: 32309787.
* De Gregorio D, Miller J, Shahab S, Kaddoura R, Chen B. Clitorodynia: A case series of a rare cause of chronic pelvic pain and its management. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021 Jun 22. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8932. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34187050.
* Waldinger MD, van Driel MF. Management of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder. J Sex Med. 2018 Mar;15(3):364-371. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.01.002. Epub 2018 Feb 9. PMID: 29555416.
* Goldstein I, Meston C, Brotto L, et al. Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) and restless genital syndrome (RGS): a review of presentation, pathophysiology, and management. J Sex Med. 2014 Apr;11(4):854-72. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12467. Epub 2014 Mar 24. PMID: 24709848.
Q.
Vulva Pain? Why It’s Hurting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Vulva pain is common and usually treatable, with causes ranging from irritation and infections like yeast, BV, or STIs to cysts, skin conditions, hormonal changes, trauma, and chronic vulvodynia. There are several factors to consider, and your specific symptoms can change the safest next step, see below to understand more. Start with gentle care like fragrance-free cleansing and loose cotton, and seek medical evaluation if pain is severe or worsening, lasts more than a few days, or occurs with fever, sores, unusual discharge, or a growing lump, with red flags and treatments outlined below.
References:
* Haefner HK, Giraldo H, Kim P. Vulvodynia: A State-of-the-Art Review. Pain Res Manag. 2021 Jun 25;2021:8829424. doi: 10.1155/2021/8829424. PMID: 34215904; PMCID: PMC8254245.
* Schlaich M, Kliem J, Al-Bataineh M, Schlaich D, Huch S. Vulvodynia: an updated review of treatments and a proposal for a treatment algorithm. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Jul;308(1):15-26. doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-06979-3. Epub 2023 Apr 19. PMID: 37075775; PMCID: PMC10276609.
* Landry T, Eicher A, O'Connor R, Sacco V, Minton M, Slayden SM, Young J. Vulvodynia: assessment, diagnosis, and management. J Assoc Acad Phys Assist. 2023 Aug 1;34(8):17-23. doi: 10.1097/JAA.0000000000000305. PMID: 37466580.
* Gunter J. Provoked localized vulvodynia: an overview of evaluation and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Sep;221(3):219-224. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.03.024. Epub 2019 Mar 15. PMID: 31102949.
* Rosenstein D, Ramparsad N. Chronic Vulvar Pain. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2022 Sep;49(3):571-583. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2022.05.004. Epub 2022 Jul 23. PMID: 35995470.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/07/diagnosis-and-management-of-vulvar-skin-disordersDisorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/disorders-of-the-vulva-common-causes-of-vulvar-pain-burning-and-itchingACOG Committee Opinion No. 509: Management of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22015906/