Really freaked out here...

I recently had protected sex. We got really sweaty, especially "down there". Anyways, about 2 days later, while wiping, I noticed a small pea sized bump on the lower part of my vagina, closer to my perineum. My partner had recently been tested with all tests coming back negative. So, could this just be some kind of irritation maybe with my sweat glands? It does not hurt, is not at all tender and matches the rest of the area down there colorwise. Is there anything I can do myself to make this go away? I'm starting to freak out a bit.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The most likely cause of the "bump" is a plugged duct on a sweat or oil gland.  The bump will probably go away on its own, and it is probably best not to "pick" at it.  You could attempt some warm compresses (we often suggest tea bags) to the area to speed up the process.
If it doesn't go away on its own within a few days, you should probably be evaluated by your doctor.  I think it is pretty UNlikely that it represents an STD, but testing for stds is certainly never wrong either!
Good luck!
Dr B

[iloveschool]

where you checked for STD's? you may have an STD.

[mems30]

I've been checked for std's....negative. In the past few months, this is the only time I've had sex and it was definitely protected sex. The bump has only been there about 2-3 days, and it's just the one.

[mems30]

Thank you Dr. B!

[mems30]

So the small lump is still there a week later. I am getting it checked out this week, but am still freaking out. I talked to my sister who is a nurse, and she said the same thing about either it being a blocked sweat gland or even from an ingrown hair (she's worried because I recently had a staph infection on my chin and is afraid that the staph isn't completely out of my system). It's not getting any bigger, but it's not getting any smaller either. It still doesn't hurt. I just tend to be a hypochondriac when it comes to stuff like this and always assume the worst. I've tried the warm compresses to no avail.