Bumps that last more than 1 week, get bigger, or keep causing discomfort should be checked by a gynecologist.
Pain, itching, burning, discharge, or fever can be warning signs of an infection like herpes, genital warts, or a bacterial abscess.
A bump that becomes very swollen, very hot, filled with pus, or is linked to severe pain may need medical treatment right away.

Bumps on the vaginal area are often linked to inflammation of the Bartholin’s or Skene’s glands, which help lubricate the vaginal canal. However, they can also result from common conditions like ingrown hairs, pimples, or cysts.

Bumps on the vaginal area that cause pain, itching, burning, or discharge may indicate infections such as herpes, genital warts, or bacterial inflammation. In some cases, they may also be associated with less common conditions like varicose veins or, rarely, cancer.

Bumps that last more than one week, grow in size, or cause significant discomfort may require medical evaluation. Treatment depends on the cause and may include warm compresses, improved hygiene, medications like antibiotics or antivirals, or minor procedures.

female OB-GYN speaking to patient in a gown seated on the exam table

What causes bumps in the vaginal area?

Some common causes of bumps in the vaginal area include:

1. Ingrown hairs

People with vaginas who wax, tweeze, or shave their pubic hair have a higher risk of developing ingrown hairs in that area. This can lead to folliculitis, which appears as a small, painful pimple or red bump. The bump often has a whitish center caused by pus buildup under the skin.

What to do: You should allow the pus to be naturally reabsorbed by the body and avoid popping the pimple, as this can increase the risk of infection. To ease discomfort, apply a warm compress to the area and avoid wearing tight underwear.

If the pain gets worse or the area becomes very hot or swollen, see a gynecologist to determine whether an antibiotic ointment is needed.

Check-out how to get rid of an ingrown hair with home remedies and other treatments.

2. Vaginal pimples

Although uncommon, a large pimple can sometimes develop and become inflamed in areas such as the vulva, groin, the vaginal opening, or on the labia majora or minora. These lesions can cause pain and discomfort.

What to do: Avoid squeezing pimples or applying any medication or cosmetic products without consulting your doctor. It’s important to see a gynecologist for proper evaluation and treatment.

In some cases, a corticosteroid ointment and sitz baths with rosehip oil, which has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, may be recommended. For more severe cases, antibiotic ointments might be prescribed.

3. Boils

A boil is a painful infection caused by bacteria that leads to redness and swelling. Boils can also develop in the groin area, on the labia majora, or near the vaginal opening. They often start as an ingrown hair that becomes infected.

What to do: Treatment usually includes applying warm compresses and using antibiotic ointments to keep the boil from worsening or turning into an abscess. If an abscess does develop, a doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or drain it to remove the collected pus.

4. Bartholin gland inflammation (bartholin cyst or abscess)

Inflammation of the Bartholin glands, known as bartholinitis, can cause a lump or pus-filled cyst on one side of the vaginal lips near the vaginal opening.

The Bartholin gland can become inflamed due to bacterial infections, often linked to poor hygiene, multiple sexual partners, or not using condoms during sex.

What to do: A gynecologist can evaluate the condition and may recommend anti-inflammatory or pain relief medications to ease symptoms, or antibiotics to treat the infection.

5. Skene’s gland inflammation

Another possible cause of a lump in the vaginal area is inflammation of the Skene’s glands, which are located next to the urethra, near the vaginal opening. Other symptoms may also be present with this condition.

This inflammation can happen when the gland’s ducts become blocked, preventing fluid from being released. As a result, the fluid builds up and may form a cyst.

What to do: A gynecologist should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment. This may include pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, or antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present.

6. Vaginal cysts

Vaginal cysts are small sacs that can form in the walls of the vaginal canal. They are usually caused by minor injuries during sex or by a buildup of fluid in nearby glands. Most vaginal cysts do not cause symptoms, but they may be felt as small lumps or nodules inside the vagina.

What to do: Vaginal cysts usually do not require specific treatment and are typically just monitored by your doctor for any changes in size or new symptoms.

7. Varicose veins

Although less common, varicose veins can also appear in the genital area, especially after childbirth or with natural aging. The lump may look slightly purple. They usually do not cause pain but can lead to mild itching, tingling, or discomfort.

What to do: Varicose veins that develop during pregnancy usually do not need treatment, as they often improve on their own after childbirth. Varicose veins that remain bothersome in other situations can be treated surgically.

8. Genital herpes

According to the CDC, genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that spreads through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Symptoms can include fever, pain, and itching, and they may go away and then flare up again, especially when the immune system is weakened.

Read more about the symptoms of genital herpes and how they present.

What to do: There is no cure that completely eliminates the genital herpes virus, as the body’s immune system controls it over time.

When symptoms are bothersome or severe, a clinician may prescribe antiviral medicine, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, to help shorten outbreaks, relieve symptoms, and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

9. Genital warts

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), genital warts are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and are transmitted through sexual contact. They can cause small bumps inside the vagina, as well as visible cauliflower-like growths that may itch or burn.

What to do: There is no cure that completely removes the virus that causes genital warts, but a doctor can remove the visible warts using treatments such as cryotherapy, minor surgical procedures, or application of certain acids.

Read more about how to get rid of genital warts and what treatments may be available to you.

10. Gartner's cysts

A Gartner duct cyst is a type of cyst that develops in the vaginal wall. It is relatively uncommon and is linked to a congenital change that occurs during fetal development.

During this time, the fetus has a structure called the Gartner canal, which helps form the urinary and reproductive tracts. This canal usually disappears before birth, but in some people it remains and can lead to the formation of a cyst, which is often small and may not cause any symptoms.

What to do: Treatment is usually only needed if the cyst gets larger and begins to cause symptoms or complications, such as incontinence or urinary tract infections. In these situations, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of the cyst.

What can cause a bump on the labia?

A bump on the labia (vaginal lips) can be caused by a pimple, an ingrown hair, bartholinitis, or benign growths such as senile angiomas or vulvar keratoacanthomas.

It can also, less commonly, be a sign of vulvar cancer.

Bumps on Vaginal Area: 10 Common Causes & What to Do