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Hello Aunt Vadge,
The last time I had sex was a year ago, and nothing sexual since. Today, for the first time, I noticed a small red lump near my clitoris, and it’s a little tender. I’m a bit worried — what could this be?
Thank you,
D.
Age 18, United Kingdom
Dear D,
Try not to worry — a single small, red, tender lump like this is almost always something simple and harmless: a blocked pore (a spot), an ingrown hair, or a slightly inflamed hair follicle.
The vulva has hair follicles and oil glands just like anywhere else, so it gets spots too, and given it’s been a year since any sexual contact this isn’t pointing toward anything sexually transmitted — it’s just everyday skin doing an everyday thing.
The safe way to settle it is to leave it alone: please don’t pick or squeeze it, because the skin around the clitoris is delicate and very near sensitive structures, so digging at it risks infection or a sore worse than the lump.
Instead, hold a clean, warm, damp flannel against it for 5–10 minutes a few times a day — the gentlest way to bring a spot or ingrown hair to the surface so it clears on its own — keep the area clean and dry, wash with plain water, leave it otherwise, and wear loose cotton so it isn’t rubbed.
Most lumps like this settle within a week or so once whatever’s trapped works its way out.
See a doctor if it grows, becomes very painful, fills with pus and won’t drain, you develop several, or it hasn’t gone after a couple of weeks, because a tender lump that keeps enlarging near the vaginal opening can occasionally be a blocked gland that needs proper attention — uncommon, but worth ruling out if it doesn’t behave.
But for a small, new, tender spot, a warm compress and patience will very likely sort it. You’ll be fine.
Best,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
