Labia lump

[peaceplease]

Well, this is not so ic related, but I so need to write about this. I have a SMALL lump, less than size of a pea, in my labia majora lip. I have had it for awhile, but last night is became painful and sore. I saw the obgyn today who said it is not a cyst and she doesn't know what it is, but that it doesn't feel like anything worrisome. If she doesn't know what it is than how can she be sure it isn't worrisome? All I know is you shouldn't have any lumps in there or pain. When I read about vulvar cancer online, these 2 things, lump and pain can be symptoms of cancer. She said she can't remove the lump as it is too small to remove, she couldn't even find it until I really used my own finger to point out where it was, and that only if it grows and gets bigger could she remove it. But from what I have read online, Vulvar Cancer is very slow growing so this idea of waiting worries me. This little lump is causing me discomfort and she offered me nothing about diagnosis or comfort really. I told her I might start Elavil for my IC and she said it might help with this pain too!
I go back next week by chance for my annual exam. I really don't want to take a wait and watch approach with this. I am a HUGE anxious wreck and not eating or sleeping much due to horrible fears that I have vulvar cancer.
The other HUGE thing that makes me question the obgyn, whom I normally like, is that she said there are Skene Glands in that area and it could be swollen. But as I read online about Skene Glands they are no place near the labia majora, but rather are inside the vagina near the urethra! What is she thinking, it makes me all the more scared to trust her opinion that the lump feels totally benign.
Does anybody have any thoughts or ideas for me? I can not even get a deep breath in as I am so scared.
By the way, it is not Barthonian Glands I am dealing with , the lump is in the labia majora where the pubic hair is etc.

[ICNDonna]

It could very easily be a minor infection, similar to a surface pimple. Since you're being checked again soon, try not to worry about it.

Donna

[peaceplease]

I appreciate you reply Donna just so I won't feel so alone, however, this is no surface pimple and infact the lump is INSIDE the labia. There is absolutely no skin changes involved and nothing visible.

I don't see how seeing her in a week will be of help, I am sure she will just repeat herself. I want to get this thing removed and I don't see why it would be so hard to do, just mark the spot with a pen and cut it out. I would imagine this could be done as in inoffice procedure.

Should I go to another obgyn and get a second opinion? I am not sure they will let me do this with another dr. within the same office. I don't know how quickly I could get into a whole new practice...

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO scared, how will I ever sleep tonight. When I look at my beautiful children all I feel is fear that I have something terrible that will take me away from them or that I am in for a long road of hell. I know this is terrible thinking, but this lump has me so frightened. I really need advice if you have any thoughts about all of this.

[ICNDonna]

It's always okay to see a different doctor for a second opinion. I also suggest you let your doctor know you are terrified and want the lump removed.

Donna

[tigger_gal]

it could be an ingrown hair, or what Donna has said.. I have had this happen to me a few times over the years.. When it happens I get antibiotic ointment and put it on there and it slowly goes away... don't worry yourself in a flare, you'll be ok ;)

[peaceplease]

The doctor confirmed it definitely isn't an ingrown hair. The reality is that I have had this lump for about 4 months or so, can't remember when I first noticed it. I ignored it as it is so small, but last night for whatever reason it started to feel tender and sore in there, and that is what drew my attention to it. The pain is pretty much gone now, the pain is NOT the main issue so that is all the more evidence that it isn't a cyst or ingrown hair or pimple.
Basically, how can she say it is nothing to worry about when she doesn't know what it is? She is basing her statement that it is nothing on the what she feels with her hands and to me that doesn't seem very scientific at all.
How can I get her to agree to removing it when she said today it is too little to do that?

[icnmgrjill]

Have to offer that I've HAD many lumps and bumps down there... most being deeper pimples that stayed until they resolved. You know how you can sometimes get a pimple right in that flap of skin between the back of your ear and your head?? It's in a deep place, impossible to squeeze... drives you batty??? That's how those in the labia sometimes feel to me... just a little pea size bump.

I don't see any problem with you asking to see another doc or ob/gyn. I had a vulvar biopsy myself. I think it's important to follow your gut here!!! The sooner you see one and have it removed, the sooner you'll stop worrying! Please keep us posted!

Jill

[peaceplease]

Hi Jill:
Do you remember me? I met you at the Safeway in Santa Rosa this summer and bought the Cystoprotek from you on my way to go camping with my family.

Thanks for the reply and trying to reassure me. It just somehow doesn't feel like a pimple and yes I get those ones behind the ear a lot, have one there right now infact!

My plan since I am seeing the OBGYN next week for my annual is to reopen this topic with her about the lump and tell her I am very scared and not comfortable doing nothing. I also want to clarify what on earth she meant about the Skene Glands possibly being involved since they are nowhere near the labia majora, they are near the urethral opening! I have read that the labia majora is mostly fatty/fibrous tissue. I guess because the whole Skene Gland thing she said seems so off it makes me question her competency and therefore her opinion that the lump doesn't feel worrisome.

If after that appointment I don't feel good about the plan I will go get a second opinion.

It is nice to know others have had lumps and bumps down there. Jill, did your lumps last months and months, do you still have any that just don't go away? Was the vulvar biopsy painful and was it done it in office?
Thanks...

[may21]

Peaceplease, I am new here and read your posts with great interest. First of all, I apologize if this is TMI and I would never intentionally offend anyone. I have the same thing you described. I only found it when washing and it got sore and red and "shiny" on the top then calmed down. Then a day or so later started to hurt and swelled up to about the size of a grape, actually looking like a huge "blister-like" sac and then burst I guess because there was watery, bloody fluid that came out of it. It then went down and there was a red dot on it and it didn't hurt anymore. Just itched a little. Told my doctor about it and she seemed to think it was folliculitis (it was gone by the time I went to her about another problem) and even though I think I can feel it still there, she couldn't. I have had IC since 1999 and had a total hysterectomy in April 2006 and have had problems with irritation, feeling raw, redness, swelled up spots, etc practically all my adult life. I have a feeling a lot of it was caused by wearing pads all the time since they caused "diaper rash" every month that I have used Desitin on for years and it helps it to slowly feel better. Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing. There are people that care and are in the same boat you are. Take care.

[sami4a]

Perhaps you can talk your Doc into doing an Ultrasound, that should tell you if the lump is solid or fluid filled?
Sammie

[Dianne]

When it comes to lumps and bumps, I would have a derrmatologist consult first and they are my first choice for biopsy too. Dermos seem to do the tiniest incision and a great job of suturing with the least scar. I get to say that since I'm an OB nurse, but OB's can be a little impatient and inattentive if it's not a delivery or interesting GYN case. Dermos on the other hand groove on every little lump and bump. If he/she thinks it's a GYN problem, they will refer it back to your OBGYN but when it comes to lumps and bumps, I think a dermatologist is way more qualified. And I get those too. Often I will be sore in the groin on that side. Vulvar cancer is very rare. As an OB nurse for 32 yrs., I've never even seen a case.

[icnmgrjill]

Whoops... sorry I missed your reply last week. Of course I remember you! Sheesh! It's not every day I get to share my popup tent strategy! LOL!

Did the vulvar biopsy hurt? Nah... not when they did it becaues they injected a little lidocaine in there first. That shot hurt briefly... and then after it wore off... it was a little sore but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be..

My bumps usually went away within a few weeks... and many just within a few days after the pimple popped. They always seem to occur when I'm very dry down there and dare to have friction (i.e. with sex or even tight jeans). Rubbing seems to trigger them.

Jill

[BeachBaby]

Hi,

I too have had one or two of these. I can't remember much, but they did disappear on their own. I do remember they caused me concern as well.

I think Diana has given you some great advice there, and I wouldn't have thought of a dermotologist.

Hopefully it is just something benign under the skin. I think stuff below the waist gets very little time to breathe, as it is always covered with underwear and whatever else we wear on top.

Hope you get some relief soon!

[kjd]

Hello, I was just wondering if you ever got an answer to your lump/bump please?
xx

[peaceplease]

Hi:
This was so long ago and so much has happened in my life with my health since then, I can barely recall...
I just remember it got smaller and smaller to the point where I could no longer feel it and it was gone.
Must have been some sort of irritation. Sorry I am not of more help.
Best wishes!