Vulva is the part of the female anatomy that surrounds the vaginal and bladder openings and consists mainly of four skin folds (See an image of a vulva). A number of women experience or are concerned that they the lump in their vulva or labia area. We have received a significant number of queries asking questions about the following:

• cyst in the vulva area
• bartholin gland cancer
• lump in entrance to vagina
• cyst on vagina lip
• bartholin cyst
• genital warts on minor labia
• vulva growth
• lumps on vulva area

Lump on Vulva area

The vulva is the part of the female anatomy that surrounds the vaginal and bladder openings and consists mainly of four skin folds. Two skin folds on either side of the openings. The four folds are joint in front of the bladder opening to surround the clitoris. The vulva is examined as part of the annual gynecological check up. If you discover any lumps or sores let it immediately be checked. Although relatively rare, cancer does occur on the vulva.

It is quite normal to have small lumps and growths on your genitals. You can have a look using a mirror. These lumps or spots might be white, yellow, purplish, pink or brown, and might be a tiny pinhead to quite large. They might look like small, skin-coloured cauliflowers. The skin folds surrounding the genitals can be quite ‘frilly’ and small, painless lumps might be ‘normal for you’. You might see small, painless, finger-like bits of skin around the vagina, which are quite normal.

Bartholin cyst and cyst on vulva lip or area

If a cyst in the vulva area or on your vagina lip remains small and does not become infected, then you may have no symptoms. You may just feel a small lump to one side at the lower end of the entrance to the vagina which may cause no problems. However, a larger cyst may cause some discomfort, in particular, when walking, sitting, or having sex. Very large cysts can become quite painful.

A cyst is caused due to a physiological function of the ovary, for example: should ovulation not occur, a small cyst may develop. Such cysts can cause pain or even lead to infertility; some cysts may even be benign and may not require any treatment. Cysts are usually diagnosed using ultrasound, specifically when determining the type of cyst. Appropriate treatment will be advised dependent upon the extent of your problem. Usually the cyst/abscess is permanently cured but occasionally it can recur at a later date.

Bartholin’s glands are a pair of small glands that are just next to the lower part of the entrance to the vagina. Each gland is about the size of a pea. Unless diseased or infected, you cannot normally see or feel these glands as they are within the soft tissues (labia) next to the entrance to the vagina.

The two Bartholin’s glands lie next to the entrance to the vagina. They make a small amount of mucus-like fluid. A cyst (a fluid filled swelling) sometimes develops from a blocked duct that drains the fluid from a Bartholin’s gland. Sometimes a gland gets infected, which may then develop into an abscess. Antibiotics may cure an infection or abscess. A small operation is a common treatment for a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess.

Each gland makes a small amount of mucus-like fluid. The fluid from each gland drains down a short duct (tube) called the Bartholin’s gland duct. Each duct is about 2 cm long and comes out towards the lower part of the entrance to the vagina. The fluid helps to keep the entrance to the vagina moist.

Vulva Cancer

Early malignant growths of the vulva (cancer) can appear in different forms. It may appear as small hard swellings, sores ( ulcers), depigmentated areas ( white skin patches) or hiperpigmentated ( dark patches). It can occur in the Bartholins glands although very rarely. Vulvar cancer is not very common but early detection is very important.

Women who have certain long-term, non-cancerous skin conditions, such as vulval lichen sclerosus and vulval lichen planus, have an increased risk of developing cancer of the vulva. However, this risk is still small: only a small percentage (1-2%) of women who have lichen sclerosus will go on to develop vulval cancer.

In a typical case, small pearly white spots develop on the vulva. The spots are usually itchy. However, in some people, there is no itch or other discomfort and lichen sclerosus is sometimes diagnosed by chance when the genitals are examined by a doctor for another reason. The itch and irritation becomes persistent and distressing. The itch tends to be worse at night which can disturb sleep. Sometimes soreness rather than itch is the main symptom. Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition only and does not extend into the vagina or inside the anus.

Genital warts

The inside of the vagina can normally feel crinkly. This is because it is designed to stretch for intercourse and childbirth, so when it is not stretched the walls may have wrinkles. However, it is not normal to have distinct small lumps in the vagina. If you feel any, see your doctor or go to your sexual health clinic. This is necessary because they could be warts; though it is unusual to have vaginal warts without any at the opening of the vagina. Genital warts appear as small round lumps on or around the vulva, upper thighs, cervix, vagina or anus. It can take several months or even years after infection for the warts to appear. However, many people with the virus don’t develop warts and you may not know you have the infection.

Vulva Growth or labia minora

The size and shape of a woman’s labia minora, or inner lips, can vary enormously.  Some are small and tucked in while others are longer and protrude from the outer lips.  They are rarely symmetrical.  All shapes of labia minora are normal. However, some women insist on labia minora reduction surgery or labiaplasty, which is a surgical that is often performed on women who feel that their labia minora are uneven or too large. The surgical procedure is meant to reduce the size or change the shape of a woman’s labia minora (i.e. the inner vaginal lips.

Enlarged labia minora is a medical condition known as labial hypertrophy, and can cause discomfort while performing certain activities or wearing tight clothing as well as embarrassment with a sexual partner. This can be caused by childbirth, age, and hormonal changes or it may simply be present from birth. Labia minora reduction surgery does not mean that the enlarged labia is removed altogether. Instead, the labia minora are contoured, reshaped, and reduced in size with as little cutting as possible

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3. Causes of pain deeper in the pelvis during and after intercourse (deep dyspareunia)
4. Fibroids
5. Lessons on HIV and AIDS – Oral thrush
6. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the menopause
7. Irritable hip — acute transient synovitis

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