There are several reasons you might have bumps or lumps down below, and it’s important to determine the source of your symptoms in order to treat them properly. Bumps and lumps on the clitoris or vulva can be caused by pimples, like the ones found on your face and neck, or it could be due to an ingrown hair that has become infected, as well as several other conditions. 

If you’re looking at pictures of healthy female genitalia. You might be wondering what those little pimple-like bumps are on the clitoral hood that surrounds the opening to the vagina. And if you’re trying to determine exactly what’s causing them, you may have come across terms like vestibular papillomatosis and angiokeratoma acuminatum. l help you understand what these bumps and lumps might be and how to deal with them accordingly.

Bumps and Lumps Down Below: What Could It Be?

What are these itchy lumps on my skin and how do I get rid of them? What could they be? Why are they happening to me? These are just some of the questions women ask themselves when they discover bumps on their private parts. For many women, this can be embarrassing as well as confusing, and in order to get rid of the problem, it’s important to understand what you might be dealing with so you can get the best advice from your doctor and prevent any further problems from occurring or recurring.

Pinkish bumps are common

Usually, they’re a sign of ingrown hairs, which are created when hair follicles curl in on themselves and leave a small bump. This can be caused by shaving, but it can also happen if you have coarse hair or skin that’s sensitive to products like soaps or lotions. If you notice one of these bumps, gently press on it with your fingers to see if fluid will come out (it might smell bad). If no fluid comes out, move on; puss-filled pimples should not be popped. If there is pus involved, you’ll want to see a doctor who can diagnose what’s causing them.

Other skin blemishes

Although it’s not a common occurrence, some women experience pimple-like bumps on their genitals. Usually, these are caused by ingrown hairs (one of those pesky side effects of shaving), but they can also occur if you have genital warts or an STD like chlamydia. And while they aren’t usually dangerous, they can be pretty annoying (and gross). If your bump is painful, itching, or bleeding—or if you notice other symptoms like discharge—visit your gynecologist for a quick diagnosis and treatment. More commonly though, you’ll just want to see your doc to rule out infections or skin cancer.

Blood vessels

Having a pimple-like bump on your clitoris or vulva is no fun. The first thing you need to do if you’re worried about what’s going on is to see your doctor, who can check for skin cancer with a visual inspection alone. More often than not, bumps on these areas are harmless—they’re just small blood vessels called capillaries that have gotten bigger because of friction from clothes or changes in hormones (like around puberty). This can make them look like acne or pimples, but they’re not. They might be painful when you pee, which happens when your urethra gets pinched by them.

Razor burn

When you shave, your skin becomes more sensitive to irritation from shaving. This increased sensitivity can make bumps appear or worsen in areas that are prone to razor burn. If you experience bumps after shaving, try using a moisturizing shave gel, exfoliating with sugar every few days, or switching to an electric razor for a smoother shave. One note: If your bumps never disappear on their own after two weeks, it could be a sign of an infection and should be seen by a doctor.

Ingrown hairs

An ingrown hair is when curly or coarse hair grows back into your skin instead of out. While it might not be painful, it can cause irritation or even infection. Ingrown hairs commonly occur on your face if you’re prone to shaving or waxing, but they can also appear in other areas like your pubic area if you shave often. Try not to shave right after you exfoliate, as that can make ingrown hairs more likely. Instead, wait for about 24 hours for your skin to heal before shaving again. This will reduce friction between your blade and skin so you’re less likely to irritate it and cause ingrown hair at the same time.

Nodules

A nodule is a mass of tissue that forms beneath or in between your skin’s surface. A benign one—also called a cyst—is generally fluid-filled, soft to touch, and doesn’t cause any symptoms. You might feel one when you run your fingers over it, but otherwise, you won’t notice anything odd. But if it’s not so harmless (it could be malignant), you may experience pain, itching, tenderness, redness, warmth, or even bleeding as well as an unappealing odor.

Pimples

There are many causes of pimples in and around your vaginal area, but it’s important to know that not all of them are sexually transmitted. Body acne can happen anywhere, including on your clitoris. These often go away on their own with good hygiene and a healthy diet. Pimples usually appear as small red bumps filled with fluid. To get rid of body acne you need to properly care for your skin by moisturizing, exfoliating (to remove dead skin cells), and taking care not to irritate it with rough or abrasive products or clothing (for example, some fabrics can rub against your vulva when you wear tight pants). This kind of acne typically affects both men and women.

Cellulite

This is one of those body issues that probably need to be talked about more. We’re not going to pretend it doesn’t exist, because let’s face it—cellulite plagues millions of women across multiple demographics. And if you don’t know what cellulite is, well…basically, it looks like cottage cheese on your legs. But why does it happen? There are multiple reasons for cellulite. Your diet can impact whether or not you have visible dimpling on your skin; specifically, nutrition affects cell production (among other things) and if there isn’t enough of a certain nutrient in your diet, your body may not be able to produce cells properly.