One of the first signs that women exhibit when they have an STD is bumps, and while some bumps are abnormal, many are normal. If you see bumps on or around your vagina, this may be a sign that you have an STD and you should get it checked out.
Women that aren’t familiar with the genital skin may learn that they have natural bumps for the first time when “exploring.”
What STDs Cause Bumps?
If you start to experience bumps within weeks of intercourse, it may mean that you have some form of an STD. A lot of different STDs will cause bumps to form, and the most common sexually transmitted diseases that will cause bumps are:
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Genital herpes
What’s not encouraging is that two of the three diseases cannot be cured: HPV and genital herpes.
Herpes may not cause an outbreak right away, and it can remain dormant for years before symptoms start to show.
Can You Have Herpes Bumps Inside Your Vagina?
Genital herpes often causes bumps that look like cold sores or blisters. These bumps, often filled with a clear liquid that may start to ooze, can occur on the outside skin of the vagina, inside of the vagina or on the cervix.
Bumps inside of the vagina will require testing, especially if the bump is associated with other symptoms, such as changing to ulcers, blisters and itching.
A complete test for herpes will be required to rule out that the bumps inside of the vagina are abnormal.
What Else Could It Be?
Before panic sets in, understand that while vaginal bumps may be an STD, they can also be something completely different and not serious.
Bumps that are not sexually transmitted can be caused by:
- Mediations
- Allergic reactions
- Ingrown hairs
- Oil gland infections
- Hair follicle infections
- Pore aggravation
You’ll want to assess yourself and the symptoms you’re experiencing to better determine if you have a sexually transmitted disease. The appearance of bumps on a vagina will need to be examined further, especially if the issue doesn’t resolve quickly.
There are also instances where friction from clothing leads to irritation and bumps.
Friction is caused by clothes that are often too tight, and a simple change in clothes and tightness may help.
Areas of skin that are extremely itchy and have bumps are, typically, areas that are being impacted by the side effects of an STD.
Make sure to watch for any oozing or discharge from the bumps. If the bumps are starting scab, you may also want to get tested. In most cases, the bumps that are caused by an STD will scab, develop crust or even begin to ooze. When this happens, you’ll want to refrain from sexual intercourse of any kind.
You may transmit these diseases to your partner. Protection may not be enough to stop the spread of the disease, especially if oral sex is performed.
Can You Get a Pimple on Vaginal Lips?
Yes. Pimples can form in or around the vaginal lips, and the level of pain is not an indication of the issue being related to an STD. Pimples can be caused by a variety of different issues, from sweat and clogged oil glands to disease.
The best way to determine if your vaginal pimple is indicative of an STD is to get tested.
Can You Get Bumps from Chlamydia?
Are you afraid that you have chlamydia? Typical symptoms will appear within 1 – 3 weeks of exposure, so if you have had intercourse within this time period and experience symptoms, you may have an STD.
Chlamydia can be transmitted during:
- Oral sex
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
But, keep in mind that 50% of people that contract this STD will never suffer from any symptoms. Antibiotics will help cure the infection, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
Bumps are not indicative of a person that has chlamydia.
What Do STDs Look Like?
STDs come in many forms, and discussing what all of them look like is out of the scope of this article. But, the most common STDs that cause bumps on a vagina include:
- Herpes. Genital herpes can remain dormant, but when it’s responsible for causing vaginal bumps, they’ll be painful, round bumps on the external part of the vagina. Clusters will begin to form. You may also experience bumps inside of the vagina. Sores, filled with clear liquid, will start to ooze, which is just another indication that you may have a serious STD.
- Genital warts may form in the groin area or on the vagina. These small bumps are often flesh-colored and will present in small clusters.
In most cases, small clusters of bumps that come out of the blue for no apparent reason are more than enough to call and schedule testing. If you allow the STD to continue without treatment, you may be doing more harm than good.
Genital herpes will have bumps that clear up on their own, and this doesn’t mean that the disease is no longer in the body. Remaining dormant, STDs can show themselves at any time.
The only reliable way to guarantee that the vaginal bumps that are experienced are a cause for concern is to be tested.
Oftentimes, STDs can have life-altering side effects, but since no symptoms are present, they are left untreated and overlooked. If you have sex with different partners, have never been tested or enter into a new relationship, it’s a good idea to get tested.
