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.

Will My Insurance Pay for My Girlfriend's Abortion Pill?

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. Before considering the abortion pill, it’s vital that your girlfriend receives an ultrasound. We offer these at no cost with no insurance necessary. She can schedule a free, confidential appointment online at Collage. Can Your Insurance Cover Her? Health insurance covers the policyholder and enrolled dependents. A girlfriend typically isn't a covered dependent on your plan, which means your insurance generally won't pay for her medical care. The exception is if she's been added to your plan as a domestic partner and your employer allows that. Additionally, you may be able to extend insurance coverage to her after marriage if your policy allows this as a qualifying event. However, the chances of insurance covering an elective abortion are unlikely. What About Her Own Insurance in Nebraska? Under Nebraska law , standard health insurance plans in the state cannot cover elective abortion unless the insured purchases a separate abortion rider. Medicaid in Nebraska covers abortion only in limited circumstances. In most cases, the abortion pill in Nebraska will be an out-of-pocket cost. What She Should Know About the Drug The abortion pill uses two drugs. The first, mifepristone , blocks progesterone, a hormone required to sustain the pregnancy. The second, misoprostol , taken a day or two later, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. The FDA approves this drug regimen through 10 weeks of gestation. Nebraska law also requires that the abortion pill be prescribed and administered in person by a physician. Complications can include heavy bleeding, infection , incomplete abortion, and digestive system discomfort. If the drug does not fully end the pregnancy, a follow-up procedure might be required. Getting the Facts First A free ultrasound at Collage confirms your girlfriend’s gestational age, whether the pregnancy is in the uterus, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. An ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus) requires different medical treatment than abortion, and could be life-threatening if left untreated. An ultrasound can rule out this complication. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Collage today. Call: 308.234.9880 in Kearney or 308.675.2217 in Grand Island. *All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing. **Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
Young woman thoughtfully learning about the abortion pill before making a pregnancy decision.

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