A lump or ball in the vagina is almost always a sign of inflammation of the Bartholin or Skene glands, which help lubricate the vaginal canal. However, it can also have simpler causes, such as an ingrown hair or a pimple, for example.
If the lump causes symptoms such as itching, burning or pain, it may also indicate other more serious problems that require medical treatment, such as varicose veins, herpes or even cancer.
Therefore, whenever a change appears in the vaginal region, which takes more than 1 week to disappear or causes a lot of discomfort, you should consult a gynecologist to identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment.
10 causes of a lump or ball in the vagina
The main causes of a lump or ball in the vagina are:
1. Ingrown hair or folliculitis
Ingrown hair or folliculitis can cause the appearance of a small reddish pimple or lump that hurts and may have a whitish central region, due to the accumulation of pus under the skin.
Generally, ingrown hair or folliculitis are caused by intimate waxing, tweezers or razors, for example. See other causes of ingrown hair.
How to deal with: apply a warm compress to the area and avoid wearing panties or tight clothing. If the pain worsens or the region becomes very hot or swollen, you should go to the gynecologist to assess the need for using an antibiotic ointment. It is important not to squeeze the ball or lump yourself, as this can spread the infection.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Pimple in the intimate region
Although it is not very common, the pimple can appear large and inflamed in the vulva region, groin, at the entrance to the vagina or on the labia majora or minora, causing pain and discomfort.
As deal with: one should not try to squeeze the pimple or use any medicine or cosmetic without medical knowledge. Therefore, it is important to go to the gynecologist who may recommend the use of corticosteroid ointments or antibiotics, such as cephalexin.
Read too: How to get rid of pimples and when to see a doctor
3. Boil
A boil is an infection caused by bacteria, causing a lump filled with pus that can grow over time and appear in the groin, labia majora or at the entrance to the vagina.
Other symptoms of a boil are pain, increased local temperature, redness and sensitivity to touch. Know how to identify all the symptoms of a boil.
As deal with: Treatment must be carried out under the guidance of a gynecologist who may recommend the use of warm compresses or antibiotics in the form of ointment or tablets. In some cases, the gynecologist may recommend draining the pus from the boil. Check out the main remedies for boils.
4. Bartolinite
Inflammation of the Bartholin glands, called bartholinitis, can cause a pus-filled lump or cyst to appear on just one side of the labia near the opening of the vaginal canal.
The Bartholin gland can become inflamed due to bacterial infections, generally caused by poor hygiene, multiple sexual partners and not using a condom during sexual intercourse, for example.
How to deal with: You should consult a gynecologist who may recommend the use of anti-inflammatory medications or analgesics to alleviate symptoms or antibiotics to eliminate bacteria. See all treatment options for Bartholin’s cyst.
5. Inflammation of the Skene’s glands
Another cause of a lump in the vagina is inflammation of the Skene’s glands, which are located next to the woman’s urethra, close to the entrance to the vagina. See other symptoms of Skene’s gland inflammation.
Inflammation in this gland can arise due to obstruction of the gland’s channels, which means that the fluid that the gland produces is not released, accumulating and forming a cyst.
How to deal with: You should consult a gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis and begin the most appropriate treatment, which can include analgesics and anti-inflammatories to relieve pain and reduce swelling, or antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection.
6. Vaginal cyst
Vaginal cysts are small pockets that can develop on the walls of the vaginal canal and are generally caused by injuries during intimate contact or by accumulation of fluids in the glands.
These cysts generally do not cause symptoms but can be felt as lumps or nodules inside the vagina.
How to deal with: Vaginal cysts do not normally require specific treatment, it is only recommended to monitor their growth with routine examinations at the gynecologist.
7. Varicose veins on the vulva
Although they are rarer, varicose veins can also develop in the genital region, especially after childbirth or with natural aging.
In these cases, the lump may be slightly purple in color and, although it does not cause pain, it may cause a slight itching, tingling or discomfort sensation.
How to deal with: In the case of pregnant women, treatment is generally not necessary, as varicose veins tend to disappear after childbirth. In other cases, if it is bothering the woman, the gynecologist may recommend a small surgery to close the spider vein and correct the varicose vein. See treatment options for varicose veins in the pelvic region.
8. Herpes genital
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that can be acquired through unprotected intimate oral, genital or anal contact, leading to the appearance of small blisters on the labia majora or minora, or around the opening of the vagina.
Other symptoms of genital herpes are fever, pain in the genitals, an itchy sensation, or sores that cause pain when the blisters break.
How to deal with: Treatment involves the use of antivirals, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir, recommended by the gynecologist, for approximately 7 days. See also what precautions to take with genital herpes.
9. Genital warts
Genital warts are also a type of sexually transmitted infection caused by HPV that can be transmitted through unprotected intimate contact.
In these cases, in addition to small lumps in the vagina, visible lesions similar to cauliflower may also appear, which can cause itching or burning.
How to deal with: There is no cure for genital warts, however the doctor can remove the warts through some forms of treatment such as cryotherapy, microsurgery or acid application. Better understand the various ways to treat genital warts.
10. Cisto de Gartner
Gartner’s cyst is a type of cyst that develops on the walls of the vagina, which is uncommon and occurs due to malformation during pregnancy.
During development, the fetus has Gartner’s canal, which is responsible for forming the urinary and reproductive tract. In general, this canal disappears naturally after birth, but in some cases it remains and leads to the formation of the cyst, which can be asymptomatic and small. See how to identify Gartner’s cyst.
How to deal with: Treatment is only indicated when the cyst grows and begins to cause symptoms or complications, such as incontinence or urinary infection, for example. In these cases, the doctor recommends surgery to remove the cyst.
What could be a lump on the labia?
The lump on the vaginal lips can be caused by a pimple, ingrown hair, bartholinitis or be a sign of benign tumors, such as senile angioma or vulvar keratoacanthoma.
Furthermore, the lump on the vaginal lips can also appear due to cancer in the vulva. See the main causes of lumps on the labia and what to do.
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