painful swollen area at vagina

[vanishing2pink]

I have a swollen gland or something on the inner side of my labia majora. It is hard, about the size of a lima bean but in the shape of an almond kind of. It is every painful. Does anyone have an idea of what it might be? I don't think it is any kind of STD because my boyfriend and I have been together for 4 years without being with anyone else and both have had limited partners before than. Please Help. Thanks

[trac777]

There is a rather serious autoimmune disease called Behcet's Syndrome. This disease's initial symptoms closely resemble the herpes virus, causing vaginal sores, fissures, cuts, boils, or folliculitis (ingrown hairs). Other symptoms develop years later, so it is very important that you find out just what it is that is causing your symptoms. Don't be too quick to brush it off as nothing, Behcet's disease affects people of every age and every race. Also, be careful choosing a doctor, you want to see someone who know's enough to tell you what Behcet's Syndrome is all about, if they don't know that, they don't know enough to help you. It is not contagious, it just happens to people because of something in their enviroment. Visit the American Behcet's Disease Association website message board for more information.