Pimple on vagina | Girlfriend

Dear DOLLY,

I have a lump on my vagina and it looks like a big pimple. When I pop it, white stuff comes out. The white stuff is hard, and I’m not sure what it is. After I popped it, another one grew. Is this normal? I’ve never had sex, but there are also small lumps around my vagina.

Got an itch down there that won’t go away? Get it sorted, stat!

Anonymous

The genital area often gets lumpy and bumpy during puberty, as the vagina and vulva (inner and outer vaginal lips) grow. Changes to the skin in this area often produce little lumps, such as hair follicles and glands in the skin, which are all completely normal. In the vaginal area, near the opening of the vagina, you also have two pairs of special glands that make a lubricant for the vagina. Sometimes, these get blocked or infected and appear as lumps.

The white stuff you’ve noticed sounds like “sebaceous” material — this is waxy stuff that’s made to keep the surface of the skin moist and waterproof. These glands can get blocked and grow in size because the substance they produce can’t get out. If you are squeezing it a lot, you also run the risk of developing an infection, which can make the lump more painful.

As you have not had sexual contact, a sexually transmitted infection can be ruled out. If this lump is growing, painful, itchy or just worries you, you should get a doctor to take a look at it.