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- A pimple on your vagina could point to genital acne, which may need to be treated with antibiotics.
- But folliculitis, ingrown hairs, and molluscum contagiosum can also result in pimple-like bumps.
- Vaginal bumps could also point to an STI like genital warts or herpes.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
If you think you have a pimple on your vagina, it could be something innocuous, like an ingrown hair, or something more serious, like a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Here are six different causes for bumps near your vagina and on your vulva, as well as how to treat them.
1. Acne
It's possible to get acne from clogged pores all over your body-including your vulva. Like all acne, genital acne looks like tender red pimples that may or may not be filled with pus,, says Alexis May Kimble, DO, the Medical Director of Kimble Center for Pelvic Wellness.
How to treat it: In order to get rid of acne on the vulva and prevent it from coming back, Kimble says you should keep the area clean and dry.
If the acne is severe and recurrent, your doctor may need to prescribe you antibiotics. Kimble says you should avoid common topical acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, which are too harsh for this sensitive area.
2. Ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs happen when a hair grows back into the skin. They often present as red, painful bumps.
If you shave or wax your pubic hair, this may put you at a higher risk for ingrown hairs, says Kimble.
How to treat it: Kimble says you should avoid further hair removal techniques until the area is fully healed. In the meantime, she says you should keep the area clean, and soothe the skin with a warm compress such as a washcloth soaked in hot water - but not so hot that it's uncomfortable for the skin.
Then, gently exfoliate with a scrub (you can opt for ones specifically for the bikini area).
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is when an ingrown hair becomes trapped and inflamed, says Peace Nwegbo-Banks MD, FACOG, board-certified OB/GYN at Serenity Women's Health and Med Spa.
In addition to a swollen bump, you may experience redness, swelling, and tenderness. Typically, this is caused by an infection due to bacteria or a fungus.
How to treat it: You may need a prescription antibiotic, antibacterial cream, or antifungal cream to treat your folliculitis depending on the type of infection. In more severe cases, oral antibiotics, prescribed by your doctor, may be necessary.
4. Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection resulting in painless, small, flesh-colored bumps that typically have a dimple in the middle of them, says Nwegbo-Banks. If they are irritated, they may become itchy, red, and inflamed.
How to treat it: It's possible for molluscum contagiosum to go away on its own in three to six months, Kimble says.
However, treatment options require a doctor's visit and include:
- Cryotherapy (freezing the lesions off)
- Curettage (scraping the lesions off)
- Laser therapy
- Prescription topical creams
5. Genital warts
Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
They range from small bumps to raised bulky, flesh-colored lesions, says Kimble. Warts often look cauliflower-like and are accompanied by itchiness and pain.
How to treat it: Warts may go away on their own, but you should avoid having sex if you have a genital wart so that you don't spread the infection.
If the warts are causing you discomfort or not going away, you may seek treatment options like:
- Prescription creams
- Cryotherapy (freezing the warts off)
- Electrocautery (burning off the warts with an electric current)
- Excision (surgery to cut off the warts)
- Laser therapy
6. Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, either type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Herpes lesions may appear as a blister or group of blisters, and they may ooze fluid. There will symptoms such as:
- Discomfort
- Tingling
- Itchiness
- Pain
- Burning
How to treat it: There isn't a cure for herpes, but you can take antiviral medications that can shorten the duration of the herpes outbreak and prevent outbreaks from occuring in the future. Additionally, Kimble says you should avoid having sex during an active herpes outbreak to prevent giving it to your partner.
Insider's takeaway
If you have a bump on your vulva that you're concerned about, don't hesitate to head to your OB/GYN to get it checked out.
There's a good chance it's something super harmless, like a pimple or an ingrown hair, but in the case that it's something more serious, you want to be sure that you get the proper treatment as soon as possible so you can start feeling better.