I Have a Painful Bump Down There. Should I Worry?

April 30, 2017
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Maybe you’ve noticed a painful bump down there, in or around your vagina. It’s perfectly normal to be a little bit worried or concerned. But try not to panic or jump to the worst possible conclusion. There are a lot of causes for painful bumps or sores on a woman’s genitals. And most of the causes are not contagious, life-threatening or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).


So what are the most common causes of painful bumps in the vaginal area?

  • Cysts. Cysts can happen anywhere on the body where fluid, air, or anything else gets trapped inside skin tissue. If these cysts begin to hurt, the skin may have gotten an infection. Cysts are usually easily treated by your doctor.


  • In-grown hair. If you ever shave or wax your bikini area, you may have developed an in-grown hair or blocked hair follicle. These can become red and itchy and painful.


  • Clogged sweat glands. You have sweat glands all over our body, and any of them can become clogged. This is true of the sweat glands in and around the genitals.


  • Skin tags. Irregular fleshy growths can appear in the vaginal area. These growths are harmless.


If you have had sex, your painful bump could be a symptom of an STD. Human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and molluscum contagiosum are all sexually transmitted infections that can cause bumps on the vaginal area. If you have sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship (you both only ever have sex with each other), you are at risk for an STD. Your doctor can determine if your bump is the result of an STD and direct you to the proper treatment.


Finally, in rare instances, cancer can also cause bumps or lumps in the vaginal area. But this is the least likely possible explanation. Vaginal cancers are very rare and almost always have other symptoms besides painful bumps.


No matter what you think the bump could be, you should see your doctor. Most likely, your bump will be no big deal and a visit with the doctor will put your mind at ease. And if you do need some sort of treatment, the doctor can talk you through your options.



If you are concerned about a painful bump or any other abnormal symptom, we are here to listen and refer you to someone who can help. If you have had sex and are worried about STDs, we can offer STD testing at no cost to you. Call us today to set up an appointment. We care about you and want to help you be your healthiest.

September 30, 2026
If you took the first abortion pill, it’s possible to start wishing you hadn’t. The regret may have hit you immediately, or it might have taken a few hours to realize that you want to continue the pregnancy. Either way, there may still be something you can do: abortion pill reversal (APR) may be an option. The first drug used in the abortion pill regimen is usually mifepristone. If you have taken mifepristone but now want to continue your pregnancy, call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 right away. Their Helpline is available 24/7 and can connect you with a medical provider who can administer APR. If You Have Only Taken the First Pill Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone. Progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. When this hormone is blocked, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy ends. The second drug in the abortion pill regimen is misoprostol , which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone after mifepristone in an effort to allow the pregnancy to continue. Don’t Wait for Symptoms Before Calling You may wonder whether you should wait before deciding what to do. But if you want to try to continue the pregnancy, call first.  It’s critical to start the protocol as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of taking mifepristone. However, you should still call even when more time has passed; it may not be too late. A medical provider can determine whether APR may still be appropriate. Does Reversal Always Work? Abortion pill reversal cannot guarantee that the pregnancy will continue. One published study reported ongoing pregnancy rates of approximately 64% to 68% with certain progesterone regimens, but individual outcomes vary. The important thing is to get medical guidance quickly rather than trying to determine your chances on your own. What if You Already Took Misoprostol? If you have already taken misoprostol, contact a healthcare professional promptly and explain exactly what you took and when. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms that concern you or believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency. Make the Call Now Changing your mind after taking mifepristone can be frightening, especially when you’re unsure whether there is still time to act. You don’t need to figure that out yourself. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 as soon as possible and tell them when you took mifepristone. They can explain whether abortion pill reversal may still be an option and connect you with an appropriate provider. You can also contact Collage if you need someone to speak with while you work through your next steps. We’re here to help you. *Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. **All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
September 7, 2026
Seeing another positive pregnancy test after having had a past abortion may bring up memories or emotions from that experience. If you already know you don’t want another abortion, you may be wondering what other choices you have and whether either feels realistic for your life right now. You have time to learn about your options and the available support. Collage is here to give you a place to discuss your circumstances so you can decide what’s right for you. Schedule a no-cost appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy and what your next steps could look like. And read on to learn more about your pregnancy options besides abortion. Consider What Parenting Would Require You may want to parent but have concerns about whether you can make it work. Finances, housing, childcare, your relationship, work, or school can all influence how possible this option feels right now. Before deciding that those challenges make parenting unrealistic, it can help to identify your biggest concerns individually. Some of those concerns may have solutions you haven’t considered yet. Think about the support you already have, along with what you would need during pregnancy and after your baby arrives. Knowing where the gaps are can make it easier to find resources rather than trying to solve everything at once. Learn More About Adoption If you don’t want another abortion but aren’t ready to parent, adoption is another option. Today, a woman making an adoption plan can have a significant role in deciding what that plan looks like. Depending on the type of adoption, you may be able to choose an adoptive family and decide what level of contact you would like after placement. Open, semi-open, and closed adoption offer different levels of communication and privacy. Speaking with a licensed adoption professional can help you understand these differences, your rights, and what the process would involve before you make any commitments. Discuss Your Options in a Confidential Space Having had an abortion before does not mean you have to make the same pregnancy decision again. Your feelings, circumstances, priorities, or perspective may be different this time. If you know you don’t want another abortion, start by learning what parenting and adoption could realistically look like in your current situation. Collage provides a place to talk about your pregnancy and the concerns influencing your decision. We can also connect you with adoption agencies and community organizations that provide the support you’re seeking. Reaching out doesn’t lock you into a specific decision. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered and explore the options available to you. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
August 11, 2026
If your girlfriend is facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you're probably wondering about costs and whether insurance will cover it.
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