Swelling in upper labia minora

[iojd24]

Not sure I am posting in the correct area. I have had a painful swelling in the upper right side of my labia minora. It is very swollen and painful. I have done a search, but the only thing I find is for a Bartholin gland cyst and my husband doesn't think it looks the same as my swelling is on the same part only on the upper portion of the labia minora. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I have soaked in a bath and taken advil, but it is still hurting to walk or sit in certain positions. Thanks!

[C3rowe]

I am having the same thing! Have you learned anything about it?

[specialmom]

Hi, welcome to the forum.  This is a really old thread and no one usually answers on older threads.  If you want, start your own question explaining your situation.  You'll get more interaction that way.  Go to the top of this page and hit the red ask a question button.  :>)

[C3rowe]

Thank you!

[Gmb98754]

Did anyone get a diagnosis?

[Sportsgal15]

Um… hi, I'm experiencing something similar and I'm not sure what to do. My upper right labia minor is swollen and has two bumps that hurt like crazy. It just happened like yesterday. I play sports and I think the running around has made it even more tender than before. I'm 17 and I'm scared. Can anyone give me some advice?

[MedAni]

Hi I suffered the same condition. Even now. It is an abscess probably. It pains like hell. You got to take some antibiotics to dry it off. Or else it will take you to drain it. Pls meet a doctor immediately. As it would keep on swelling. This abscess occurs due to vigorous movement over that area. Masturbation causes this. Once infected then it is on and on whenever you give pressure on that area.

[Ellegee67]

I have the same problem as the original poster of this thread.

There is no connection to my Vagina, it is not located near my vagina ;)
It is in the upper right labia, it is red and swollen, with maybe a bit of a lump feeling but not so much. it happened over night.  It stings in one spot that may be a tad bit raw. I can only touch it gently.

I applied antibacterial soap many times yesterday and that helped reduce swelling and until this morning it was getting better, but as today goes on, it gets irritated, swollen and stingy. It doesnt hurt or sting constantly, only when rubbed or irritated by clothing or my fingers when checking it out.

It doesnt match up to an STI's, or the Bartholins Cyst symptoms/location.  

Any current ideas?? I am seeing my doctor this week and will bring it up with her but wondering in the mean time if someone else has the same symptoms as myself and the original poster??

Oh and i havent had sex in 3 wks, this just occurred on Fri Aug 21 2015. My period ended nearly 2 weeks ago. the only thing that was different was that I had a CT scan doneon the 20th August 2015, and they injected me with dye. BUT I have had that before and there wasnt a reaction like this. I have had this problem before... but its still freaky.

Any thoughts?
Laurie 47 y.o.

[Jessjess1993]

Hey Im having the same problem with the swollen irritated and tender labia on upper right side by the clitoris. I just stopped my period like 3 days ago but I first felt the irritation on the last day of the cycle. IDK why its like this. Ive never had one before . Kinda nervous on what it could be and if its serious or not . Please help me out on answers. And suggestions. I really need help here no research helps to figure it out.

[MyLovelyLadyLumps]

I get these alot. going to doctor again in a couple weeks. I use evening primrose oil, burts bees diaper rash ointment (numbs it), and walk around with a warm camomile teabag in my crotch. They come and go. No answers from doctors in the past. We'll see. Not enough info online about these. They freak me out tho.

[Ayiiya]

LADIES!!** do go see a doctor & have him/her write you a prescription for 'Fucidin Cream' (Fusidic acid cream 2%) with PLENTY of refills!! :) it is a topical anti-biotic cream & a miracle worker!! I kid you not! No more puss or blood of boils & swelling of labia GONE OVERNIGHT!! As quick as they appear, they will be gone! It will diminish the pain& discomfort & YES i have had both giant painful boils/ingrown hairs/cysts AND the bizarre huge swelling of labia (which freaked me out beyond belief) & YES this cream does work for BOTH!! Hurrahh!! Good luck ladies & you are most welcome! ;) cheers!!

[Ayiiya]

LADIES!!** do go see a doctor & have him/her write you a prescription for 'Fucidin Cream' (Fusidic acid cream 2%) with PLENTY of refills!! :) it is a topical anti-biotic cream & a miracle worker!! I kid you not! No more puss or blood of boils & swelling of labia GONE OVERNIGHT!! As quick as they appear, they will be gone! It will diminish the pain& discomfort & YES i have had both giant painful boils/ingrown hairs/cysts AND the bizarre huge swelling of labia (which freaked me out beyond belief) & YES this cream does work for BOTH!! Hurrahh!! Good luck ladies & you are most welcome! ;) cheers!!

[Neb14]

What does it mean if one Libia minor is inflated like twice the size of the other though ?

[viv2015ca]

Hello, was your cyst a bump? you seem to have the most similar experience as me however mine is literally inside my labia minor, no exterior sign of, if i squeeze the labia i can feel a ball inside that is painful and seems to enlarge after intercourse.  any info would help, been to GP twice and now waiting for gyno appt

[paintedhut]

I'm 19 this year and realized that my right labia swell up to 3 times that of my left labia. (minor) It hurts no matter what i do! It doesn't hurt when i urinate. I don't have the urge to pee all the time either. It just hurts and is swollen. Its been 3 days now and I'm getting really worried. Looking to see what exactly is this!

[Captainiro]

Did you find out what was wrong and how to get rid of it?

[RissaMorticia]

i am 17 years old and have been experiencing these symptoms for about 2-3 weeks. My boyfriend and i had sex for the first time roughly 5 months ago and i havent had problems up until now (idk if sex could be the cause or not) my periods are regular. the swelling in my Labia Minora is somewhat like a pimple but about dime sized. i am afraid to go to the doctor because i dont want my mom to find out i lost my virginity (if asked by doctor if i am sexually active). i squeeze the "pimple" every few nights due to soreness afterwards and i get some puss/blood out. it seems to shrink after this, but then a few days pass and it comes back but a little smaller each time. i need help :( itching and walking is driving me crazy!!!! any advice or remedies to try would be greatly appriciated! even though this is an old blog thingy :/ i do plan on going to the doctor if no remedies seem to work. i just need courage and a bit of advice :)

[Mahsingah]

This actually sounds like herpes hon.... You need to be checked.

[aeg123]

ok so ive had 1 baby and that was almost 2 yrs ago, since then ive gotten 3 lanced bartholin's abscess on my left side. my problem is that now it appears i would have another however, b4 it was much bigger, lower, and part of my vaginal wall, now, its the whole length of my labia, not as big but still uncomfortable and very noticeable. its also kind of hard, b4 it was more liquidy and doesn't puss or oose anything. ive also been experiencing chronic lower back pain and lower abdominal pain. i went to my ob doctor today and she said she didn't think it was a bartholin's abscess. she said it would just go away but on the contrary, ive had this now for 10 months and if anything its been increasing. she didn't want to Liston. she also said something about a hernia which doesn't make any sense. then she told me to go to another specialist because she couldn't do anything. said that its probably something to do with my bowels which again makes no sense. then i went to another ob doctor and he said it is a bartholin's abscess but said it was to small this time to lance it but its very irritating and is big after sex so i need to do something about it. he said something about having the gland removed and at this point im ready for it but then he told me the recovery time for it and then i wasn't so sure that's what i wanted to do especially if that's not what is really wrong with me. plus i don't believe that surgery is going to help my abdominal pain. so if there's any one out there who could help me please do. ive tried numerous medication including pain revilers, anti inflammatory's and antibiotics, cold and hot, and baths nothing worked

[LauraMelanie]

Hi, i have exactly the same thing! first i had a bartholin cyst, so i had marsipualization and it looked like everything healed fine. But then my left labia started to swell and it looked like it was filled wit fluid. First i thought the cyst was back but it just wasn't the same, exactly as you describe. I went to the gyn today and he maid an echo of it. He said it is not a bartholin cyst but he didnt want to risk draining it so i have to come back in two weeks because he thinks it will just dissapear. I dont think so because i have the swollen labia for a week now and it did not get better but just worse or the same. Did you find a solution for this ?

[Shiney2016]

Hi I too have the same symptoms, first they thought it was a bartholin cyst and drained but all they drained was blood. Actually my swelling is in the upper portion of my left labia minora.

[Shiney2016]

Hi Laura, can you let me know how you cured it. Mine is totally unbearable.

[imemyself85]

hi.

i am 26 and i have got the same problem as many girls has.. i had 4 bumps since last 4 days on my major and minor labia with no head n they hurt like hell... i can not walk, sit properly.. one of them burst with puss and some blood. but the other 3 are irritating me like anything.. worst of worst is, when i felt them, i got my periods and they got more swollen.. plz somebody help me... i m too scared...

[fabkat]

Try putting some antiseptic cream (not ointment with petroleum ) directly on it a couple of times a day.  It is sold OTC in drug stores and it will act as an antibacterial agent as well as soothe it because of the lidocaine.  You can also use a first aid solution with antibacerial properties and lidocaine for the pain.  When these sprout up in my case, I douse a cotton swab in Betadine or iodine solution and put it directly on the sucker.  After a few days, it dissipates.  It may last several days.  Gynos usually say to put hot compresses and sit in sitz baths, but how does one fit in a basin?  Most basins are too small so I need to look around for one of a proper size.

These abscesses are non-infectious, so you won't give it to your man, and your mom should be more understanding in this case, as you have an infection on your body for goodness sake.  

I am wondering if one wears panyliners and sweats, the liners' adhesive no longer sticks and it ends up chafing the area andthis may be the cause. It is probably from friction mixed with sweat, right?

[scaycarrie]

Okay, My turn.
My bits, the inner labia, and around the vagina area, are itchy, painful, and throbbing.
I have never slept with anyone with a disease. This I'm sure of.
I'm 17, and this has been happening since last june.
I get so uncomfortably itchy, and painful.. Usually after I have sex. My boyfriend and I have just recently started banging, and every so often, I get friction burn type problems, this is different and it hasn't flared up in a while. It's unbearable, and I have no idea how long it will last. I don't know what it is, I don't know how to stop it, and my mom will jump to conclusions. She won't take me to a doctor. I have no idea what to do. This really f***ing *****.
there's no nasty discharge, no pain while urinating, and no bumps that I know of. It just looks a little swollen, and the skin around my vag area is (squiggly?) I don't know how to put it, it looks different than it used to. this is truly uncomfortable.
What do I do?
I just recovered from a possible uti, that I had to take care of by myself, is that what's causing this? help me please. :(

[juniormint874]

My problems started with the itching sensation about a week ago, I figured it was just a run of the mill yeast infection so began over the counter treatment for that which seemed to work. However, after having intercourse today the pain was super intense and after a few hours both sides had swollen up to like 2x the normal size. I have been alternating between cool and warm cloth. The coolness seems to relieve the pain the most, also been taking pain relievers and tried 2 benadryl to hopefully reduce the major swelling. This is very uncomfortable and I am scheduled to see my GYNO tomorrow. Will repost with any info he gives me.

[elevengirl]

This is for every lady out there that is looking up information on this site. May I first say I feel for you ALL what a horrible experience this has been.  My symptoms when I think back started about 12 days ago. I was laying in bed one night trying to fall asleep when suddenly I felt a crazy itchy feeling doen there. Strange and unusual as that was, it lasted only a few minutes and it never returned. Not certain if this is related to my condition now or not. For the entire week before my left Major labia started swelling I hadnt felt well, generally feeling sluggish with no energy. I had chalked this up to the fact that I had just come home from a weeks holiday in Mexico and my body was working off toxins and getting back to normal from all the late nights and alcohol which I normally only indulge in twice a year lol  exactly ten days after I returned home symtoms started. I first felt an ache that was kinda deep inside the lip area and seemed to run in the direction off my left leg. It only happened 3 or 4 times and wasnt painfull just unusual and the ache was sudden and only lasted seconds.  I ignored it because honestly Iam a busy person and couldnt see anything wrong visually so I said to myself what the hell and forgot about it. 5 days ago last Thursday I could feel a sore spot about the size of a small pea, I then thought oh oh because I have had a bump there ( I think cyst) that has been there for quite awhile but wasnt bothersome so I left that be. Maybe I should mention I have had cysts down there before so I wasnt overly concerned. I think they all were a result of an ingrown hair, they were higher up in the past and one was close to the crease of my leg. This is the first time I have had this on the lip. The pain was incredible, my left lip swelled up about an inch high all the way back towards the rectum and it was well over an inch wide. I could barely walk. All this swelling came very suddenly from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon I had an oblong egg shaped infection. The pressure was unreal. By Sunday afternoon I was at a medi clinic because I felt desperate for treatment and relief. I cant wait to tell you all what I was given and how well it is working!!!!  My Doctor prescribed 2 antibiotics because he was unsure what kind of an infection we were dealing with. He gave me Metronidazole 250 mg 2 tablets 3x a day as well as prescribed Apo-cephalex 500 mg  1 tablet 4x a day. I have now been on this medicine for 48 hours and have a 40% improvement. The swelling has much improved so Iam praying this is working. He wants me on both antibiotics for ten days. I will repost and let everyone know how I do but so far its looking very good in comparison to where I was. This is still very painful and as soon as Iam well enough I plan to research this, why this happens and do everything within my power to make sure I never go through this ever again. Horrible is putting it mildly.. So if you ever notice any of the symptoms I described earlier, like the unusual ache, small sore bump, RUN LIKE HELL to your doctor and get on an antibiotic fast because it dosnt go away on its own, and waiting to see if it would, has cost me two lost days at work which I could not afford and pain that is comparible to the intensity or nerve back pain or child birth. Best wishes to everyone. Hope I have helped someone posting this, its personal but when it comes to the girls club we all care to look after one another whenever we can.. Hugs

[Jess8891]

If it's more blood than puss, & the puss is more clear it could be Staph.  I work in surgery & have seen a lot of Staph, especially from Labial &/or Bartholin Cysts, etc.  The best thing to do, if it's intolerable & keeps recurring is to go see a physician & have them numb it, lance it, & culture some of the fluid.  While you're waiting on the results, the doctor should put you on antibiotics in case it is Staph, therefore hopefully killing the infectious bacteria.

[Kmontana]

I had the same thing, except on the left side. It was pAinful and swollen for 2-3 days, I waited until a white head appeared, and then I popped it, a ton of puss and blood came out, the first initial "popping" of the "abscess" hurt but since then its not painful to wipe, sit, or walk...im keeping it clean with hibiclens from walmart and not messing with it, I also have MRSA, so I'm pretty sure that's what mine was, if you want to be 100% sure, have a PA at the hospital drain it and take a culture of the drainage...hope this helps

[Perth76]

I have was reading on the net that the bartlholin gland cyst can be caused from an STD, is this  true?

[Baylee101]

The top left side of my outter vagina lip is red and swollen I haven't noticed any irritations such as burning etc but when I went to have a look and a feel of it the skin broke causing minor bleeding ??? Any thoughts on what this could be and what has caused it  I am booked into see my doctor but not for two weeks help

[healthygirl466]

I have had these for years and have also had them checked by my gyno who insists that they are not herpes.  However they are spreadable as you mentioned so I never have intercourse until they are completely gone because they are too painful and I don't want to spread anything.  I think that from the posts that I have read that they are relatively common, and diet and hygiene are important, but don't prevent them.  They seem to be a way of the body releasing impurities.  I think that many physicians misdiagnose and prescribe creams, but hot baths seem to be the best way that I have  found them to come to the point where they burst and go away.  Keeping clean and washing my hands after touching there and wearing cotton underwear also help. They are not pleasant.

[heyohhhh]

I know this is an old discussion but I wanted to post anyway because I've had these probably 15 times over the last 13 years.  I am 33 years old and the first one came when I was 20.  I wasn't even sexually active then, so I was sure it wasn't an STD but got checked anyway.  I've had several of them examined by three different doctors, and all three said they were the result of bacteria getting under the skin somehow.  My obstetrician told me a Bartholyn's cyst is lower down and more toward the inside; these abscesses are outside the actual vaginal opening, and can be higher up or lower down on the labia.  Most of them are on the labia minora (the little labia), but they can appear on the inside of the labia majora.  It feels like a pea or a bb on the inside of the tissue, deep inside, and it's painful.

Here's what I've noticed about them.  This is just my personal experience, but pretty consistent with each one of these I've dealt with--

--They are slow to come to a head.  Sometimes it can be two weeks from the time you first feel something happening and the time it finally comes to a head and opens up.
--Hot compresses can speed this process up.  Put a cloth under very hot water and hold it on the abscess.  Do that a couple times a day but don't overdo it and irritate your skin or burn yourself with hot water.
--Once it finally comes to a head, it will open up and drain pus and blood.  It's disgusting, but once this happens it will heal quickly.
--Sometimes one will drain, you'll think it's gone, and then it doesn't go away because there's still stuff that needs to come out.  Use a hot compress so it'll come to another head and you can get the rest of it out.  
--It's important to clean yourself really well once it starts draining because you don't want the infection to get into a new site and cause a new abscess, but don't use antibacterial soap or any harsh soap down there or you could cause BV or a yeast infection.  (I did that too.  Yay.)
--I've noticed that I get them more when my diet is high in sugar and carbs.  Looking back, when I had them more frequently it was during a time when my diet wasn't great.  In fact, I was on a low sugar diet for two years and didn't have one the entire two years.  The last time I had one was the first day I started back on the low sugar diet.  The day before I started the diet, I binged on sweets, then suddenly had an abscess.  This one didn't take as long to resolve and wasn't as painful or large and didn't contain as much nasty stuff as most of the previous ones.  It's mostly a hunch, but I think it's because my sugar intake went down to next to nothing just as the abscess was forming.  There is some medical research on high sugar intake and the frequency of these.  You can Google it if you want more info.  

It has nothing to do with hygiene!  Everyone has bacteria on their body and sometimes it gets to places it shouldn't be.  If you're worried you have an STD you should certainly get checked out, but assuming we're talking about the same thing, it's not sexually transmitted.  I just thought I'd share my experience since this page is still searchable and these things can be disturbing.