A Painful lump

[CEREME]

There is a Lump on my vagina, its hard, apears to under the skin. Its painful, when i squeezed it to see what it was nothing came out, it just hurt alot... i does not appear to be getting bigger. but it is making me worry. can you give me any clues as to what it is? and if you can help me, what kinds of doctor do i see about this...
really confused and worried...

[CEREME]

the doc, thought it was a bartholin cyst, but could not be certain because it wnet away before the appointment. thanks everyone for the help

[pangolin]

This sounds like it could be a bartholin cyst. The bartholin glands lie eother side of the vagina and help lubricate you for sex. Sometimes the tubes get blocked. You may need an operation. I had to have one and it wasnt that bad. Good luck.

[CEREME]

yeah i hate them to but i have no choice. my husband is in the miltary and thats free for us.... so cheaper the better.... with all this extra time i have i can get all my old files sent to my current doctor! yay me...

[Jaybay]

Ugh!  I HATE managed care plans!  Sorry you have to wait so long for the referral, but glad you got the ball rolling.  Hang in there!

[CEREME]

i have called in and they ahve to send me a referal, that will take 10-14 days then i am home free for getting into see the doc.
Just thought i would let you know...

[CEREME]

well, i talked to my mom (me and my mom joke alot) and she called me a freak... lol... so i am calling tomarrow and setting up for my womenly exams, and she is going to have my record to over....so hopefully in a week or two i will know whats what! ... thanks for all your help, and i will keep you posted...
thanks again...
CEREME

[slow_healer]

Hey, it could also be a cyst. Sometimes you get them from sweating too much; the skin doesn't manage to keep up with cleaning itself and a pore gets clogged. I've had one before, and it went away all on its own. The doctor examined it and told me to just give it a couple weeks to take care of itself. Just want you to know that it could be nothing to worry about (but still double-check with a doctor).

[Jaybay]

Good for you!  I'm really glad to hear you are comfortable enough with your mom to bring this subject up with her.  You'll probably find it's nothing to worry about overmuch other than the discomfort, but it never hurts to get a doc's opinion.  Hope it all works out fine for you.  :-)

[CEREME]

okay, thanks... i think i will bring the rest up with my mom... you helped alot... thanks...

[Jaybay]

You should see a gynecologist.  If you have never been to one before, this specialist will do a pelvic exam to make sure all your female parts are OK and in working order.  He or she, will most likely do a Pap test as well.  A speculum is placed into the vagina, and a very tiny piece of tissue is taken from your cervix (opening of the uterus) to test for cervical cancer.  Your family doctor can also examine and treat you, but since you are 18, you might as well find a gynecologist now that you will be comfortable with in the future.  Can your mother or another female friend recommend one to you?

If you are already sexually active, your gynecologist can discuss birth control methods with you as well.  I know the pill seems like no big deal and an easy way to avoid pregnancy, but it can have unpleasant side effects in some women.  Any time you mess with your hormones, some whacky things can happen, so it's not something to undertake lightly - just like making the decision to have sex shouldn't be undertaken lightly.

OK, end of "MOM" lecture.  :-)

[CEREME]

yeah i know i should see a doctor, but what kind?

[Jaybay]

It could be the beginnings of a boil - basically, a large zit.  It happens sometimes with moist areas that don't get much air circulation.  If you are sexually active, you should definitely see your doctor in case it's something caused by an STD.  Of course, if you're concerned at all, you should see your doctor anyway if for nothing else than peace of mind.