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    Lumps on genitals in women

    Cervix
    The main lump in the vagina is the cervix (neck of the womb). This projects into the far end of the vagina and is about 3 cm across. You can usually feel the cervix by inserting the first two fingers into the vagina and pushing upwards. It is easier to feel if you ‘bear down’ (contract your stomach muscles as if you are trying to open your bowels). The texture of the cervix is similar to the end of your nose, but it has a hole in the middle. In a woman who has not had a child, the hole is about the size of a pencil lead, but it is usually larger in women who have given birth. Menstrual blood passes through this hole from the womb into the vagina.

    The cervix usually feels smooth, but sometimes pimples can be felt on it. These are usually small glands called nabothian follicles, and are normal.

    However, a pimple on the cervix could be a wart, though it would be unusual to have warts on the cervix without having any at the opening of the vagina.

    A small, soft lump which seems to be coming out of the hole in the cervix is probably a cervical polyp. This is not cancerous, but can bleed, especially after intercourse, so it is best to have it removed.

    Vagina
    The inside of the vagina can normally feel crinkly. This is because it is designed to stretch for intercourse and childbirth, so when it is not stretched the walls may have wrinkles. However, it is not normal to have distinct small lumps in the vagina. If you feel any, see your family doctor or go to a genitourinary medicine clinic, because they could be warts (though it is unusual to have vaginal warts without any at the opening of the vagina.

    Prolapse
    A bulge in the vagina is probably a prolapse. The vagina rests between the bladder and the rectum (back passage); the bladder lies in front of it and the rectum lies behind. The bladder, vagina, cervix and rectum are held in position by muscles that stretch across the pelvis – the pelvic floor muscles. If these muscles are weak, the bladder and/or rectum can lean towards the vagina and press on it, or the womb may sag downwards.

    Treatment for prolapse is really surgery, but other measures may be of some benefit.

    • Lose weight if you are obese. This will certainly help; excess weight puts pressure on the pelvic floor and makes the problem worse.
    • Stop smoking if you have a smokers cough; coughing puts pressure on the pelvic floor.
    • Do pelvic floor exercises. They will help leakage of urine due to prolapse.
    • Surgery is needed if prolapse is troublesome, particularly if it is causing incontinence of urine. The surgeon cuts away flabby parts of the vagina and strengthens the supporting tissues. It is important to tell the surgeon if you are still sexually active, so that the vagina is not made too narrow, or intercourse may later be uncomfortable.
    • A pessary is a special ring placed in the vagina to give support. Pessaries are made of plastic and are changed every 6 months. They are usually used as a stop-gap measure while waiting for an operation, or for women who cannot have surgery for any reason.

    Entrance to the vagina
    In many women, the entrance to the vagina normally feels lumpy. This lumpiness is the remains of the hymen which stretches across the entrance in young girls. The hymen is a thin piece of tissue with a hole to let menstrual blood flow out. The hole becomes enlarged during sports, by inserting tampons and by sexual intercourse, but the remnants of the hymen can remain as irregular, firm lumpiness.

    A woman who has given birth to a child, and who needed stitches afterwards, may be left with a lumpy scar at the vaginal opening.

    Genital warts (see section) are increasingly common and often occur around the vaginal entrance.


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    Comments on this article:

    Posted by Anonimus at 27/05/2009 23:03:00

    I have a lump just above my cliterous? I'm really worried, what should it do?

    Posted by danie at 19/05/2009 09:43:00

    in my vagina about 2cm in, on my g spot i have a hard spot, i had it for about 2 month now, i also suffer from re-occuring thrush.

    Posted by su at 29/04/2009 00:20:00

    Im 37 weeks pregnant with my 4th child I think I might have this prolapse! there is a large lump/swelling at my vagina enterance which is not sore but when I go to the toilet I feel like something is going to fall out even just to urinate. I have had problems since my 3rd birth with a weak bladder and been doing pelvic floor exercises to no avail now its worse and coughing/sneezing/coughing causes leaks. I dont like seeing doctors about such things but im getting more and more worried as its feels close to falling out! Do you think this is the "prolapse" thing? Its towards the back and in the middle. Should I wait till after the post natal check to say or can they investigate now?

    Posted by Anonymous at 24/03/2009 17:40:00

    I thought I was the only one, mine is really sore and uncomfortable and also the size of a marble. I don't want to have to have surgery!!!|

    Posted by Anonymous at 11/03/2009 20:02:00

    I have lumps on the entrance of my vagina, it is very itchy and irritated!? And sore sometimes. Any advice on what i should do or will it go away after a while??

    Posted by Anonymous at 06/03/2009 07:08:00

    There is a large lump inside my vagina, when i try to have sex it hurts and can not go in, it is extreamly painful, i dont know what to do..

    Posted by Liz at 24/02/2009 16:33:00

    I just discovered a lump on the right lip of the vagina opening. Its the size of a marble and looks swolen and enlarged. However its not painful or causing any discomfort. My research suggest that its uterine prolapse as symptoms is similar. But I am not taking any chances and will seek medical help... Anyone with similar problem??? Any shall post my DR dignostics...

    Posted by Anonymous at 15/02/2009 10:57:00

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I've recently been ill with a severe UTI which developed into an e-coli infection (first time I've ever had these type of infections). Two days ago I noticed two lumps on either side of my cliterous which feel like little glands. Should I go to the Dr and is it normal to get glands there?

    Posted by Anonymous at 09/02/2009 22:52:00

    I have lumps just at the entrance of my vagina,they are extremely uncomfortable,especially when sitting for long periods of time, they are sometimes itchty and sore.
    What could this be? I am very upset and very concious of it?!!

    Posted by christine at 08/02/2009 16:06:00

    i have found a number of hard lumps in my vagina there are whit an quit rough can u pleace tell me what this could be

    Posted by Anonymous at 28/01/2009 19:46:00

    they cant take a smear test as there is a cicst and the wall has droped and they said they were going to leave it

    Posted by Anonymous at 24/01/2009 01:15:00

    i have resently lost my virginity and after my last 3 periods i have noticed that whenever i discharge their is a strange smell. The colour of my discharge seems to normal and their hasn't been a change in the amount that i discharge only the smell and it disappears after 3 days. Is this normal?

    Posted by lumpiness in vagina at 05/01/2009 14:29:00

    ive been going through my menopause for about 2 yrs now having periods every few months but i notice that in my vagina its vry lumpy and seems very low

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