Am I paranoid?

[jhiggy]

I noticed a red bump on the top of my vagina. It wasnt sore, didn't itch, and didn't really hurt. The only thing was that my pelvic area was sore/tende. I googled herpes and genital warts and also saw pic, but did not look like none of those pics, nor did I have any of those syptoms. So I went to see a dr at this neigborhood clinic because I don't have any ins. I had a student dr look at me and she didn't say anything, but wanted to have the real dr come in and check it out to confirm her diagnosis. I did mention to her that about 8 yrs ago I had a very big bump that was swabbed and tested for Herpes which came back neg and I had a blood test done which also came back negative.I also told the student dr that I do get alot of boils down there. Now the regular dr came in there and asked her what was going on (he seemed like he was in a rush) & she told him what I told her. He looked down there and told me it looked like a hair bump and for her to do a blood test. She told me that he wanted a blood test done to check for syphillis lesions. I also told my sister who's a nurse about that and she said that if I would have had syphillis I would be burning by now. I went to the doctor last Friday and they said it takes a week for the test to come back.I just had a pap smear 4 months ago and everything was normal. I also go and get check for STD's and Aids every 6 months bcause my fiance and I don't have protected sex (because we feel we are about to be married). Usually if I have a hair bump it is followed by a boil, but this time it was not. The tenderness has gone away, but the hair bump is still there and now is tender to touch when it is touched by clothing. It also has not have anything come out of it, but it is now pinkish before it was flesh colored. Now a boil is trying to form on my buttox. Am I just being paranoid. Could it be just a hair bump and if so why did it not turn into a boil. Why is it taking so long to go away?

[jhiggy]

Thanks Dr. Hook,

Your answer has really helped me out. Thank you so much. Also the answer to your question is it has been 4 days now since the hair bump has been there. It is for the most part starting to go away now.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm a bit unclear on the time course of this tender area.  How long has it been present?"

From what you tell me, if you and your BF are in a monogamous relationship and have been for a while, your risk for STDs is low.  On the other hand, you state that you have a history of hair bumps (folliculitis) and boils and what you describe is typical of them.

From your description, which you have experienced really does not sound like typical herpes and is more consistent with a hair bump/boil than herpes.  Sometimes these areas do not mature to become boils.  When this occurs it is more troublesome than when boils form because once a boil is drained, they tend to just heal up and are no longer uncomfortable.  

As for syphilis.  Whatever you have is not syphilis.  You have no risk factors and in fact, syphilis is typically painless, not painful.  

Hope this helps.  Feel free to respond to my comments.  EWH