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Causes & Treatments for White Bumps on the Vagina
By
Patricia | February 1, 2010
White bumps on the skin are a common problem. If they occur on your face or back and are filled with pus, they could be considered as pimples or acne. If the white spots are itchy and occur on the face, back and chest, they may be an indication of Millia or Milk spots that affect many people including babies. There are instances when little white bumps also develop on the vagina, labia, and genital area. Many women mistakenly associate bumps or boils in the genital area with a lack of personal hygiene. Though at times this may be the reason, in most cases, white dots or bumps on the vagina may be the result of factors such as hormonal fluctuations, excessive sweating, sebaceous cysts or a vaginal infection. While it may be embarrassing to bring these bumps to the attention of your doctor, it is recommended that you do not leave them unchecked, as they may be signs of a more serious medical condition.
Causes:
- Sebaceous Cysts - A sebaceous cyst develops due to inflamed hair follicles and clogged sweat glands. In case the area around the cyst is tender and painful to touch or the bump becomes red and swollen and emits a gray colored fluid that has a foul odor, contact your doctor as these are all symptoms of an infection and require immediate medical attention.
- Genital Herpes - White bumps on the vagina are also a sign of genital herpes. If the bumps are sore and cause a burning sensation, bring it to your doctor’s attention at the earliest. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease and is highly contagious.
- Vaginal Infections - There are cases where white bumps on the vagina are caused by an infection either viral or bacterial. These bumps are small and white in color.
- HPV - The Human Papilloma Virus or HPV is another type of sexually transmitted disease. Along with white bumps on the vagina, symptoms of HPV include genital warts.
- Bartholin Cysts - If you discover a white pimple on your vagina it may be due to a condition known as Bartholin's cyst. Bartholin's cysts can vary in size from tiny to large and may be painful depending on where it is located in the genital area. Blocked Bartholin glands lead to a build up of fluid and a cyst or bump forms.
- Other causes of white bumps on the vagina include excessive sweating, hormonal changes caused by your menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or even simple friction.
Treatment:
Before deciding on the correct course of treatment for tiny white bumps on the vagina it is important to determine where exactly do the bumps occur on the vagina. If they are on the inner lips of the labia, you should get them checked at once. If they have developed on the outer areas of the vagina and genital area and are not painful, you could try some over-the-counter creams or home remedies before consulting with your doctor. However, if you notice any unusual symptoms that are indicative of an infection or if the bumps do not clear up for more than a few weeks; get the condition examined as soon as possible.
If an infection has caused the bumps, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics (in case of a bacterial infection) or a topical cream or lotion to treat the condition. If an STD is responsible for the bumps, medical treatment is required. Several STDs cannot be cured but symptoms can be kept under control with the help of medication.
Some easy home remedies to treat white bumps on the vagina include:
- Apply a diluted mix of ten parts water to one part hydrogen peroxide to the bumps. This will clean the area completely and prevent any infection from spreading.
- Sit in a hipbath filled with warm water mixed with plain or Epsom salts to clean the genital area and provide relief from pain and itching.
- Apply a warm compress to the bumps to reduce swelling and pain.
Tips to Reduce the Occurrence of Bumps on the Vagina:
- Do not wear underwear made of synthetic material as this encourages sweating and may cause allergic skin reactions.
- Clean the genital area well and wipe dry. Regular exfoliation of the area may also help prevent clogged sweat glands and inflamed hair follicles.
- If your bumps are painful or oozing a liquid, avoid sexual intercourse until you are given a go ahead from your doctor.
- Never pop or squeeze a bump as this can cause an infection.
- In some cases, bumps caused by sebaceous cysts may require surgery or a simple drainage procedure as part of the treatment.
- Use a gentle, anti-allergic detergent for your clothes and underwear as this could aggravate the condition as well. Moreover, after washing the underwear through the regular procedure, it is best to rinse it with a solution made of tea tree oil and warm water, just to kill any germs that may be present.
- Stay away from products such as soaps, bubble baths and lotions that are scented or contain harsh chemicals.