"Is This Normal?" A Vulvar Owner’s Guide to Lumps, Bumps & Other Mysteries
Because knowing your body is the most powerful tool you have.
How many times have you thought:
"Is that supposed to be there?"
"Was that bump always like that?"
"Am I being dramatic if I ask someone to look?"
If you’ve ever stared down at your vulva and wondered what’s normal—welcome. You’re not alone. The truth is, most vulvas have texture, variation, and bumps that are completely normal. But knowing what’s normal for you is the key.
Let’s break it down.
First: Know thy vulva.
One of the best things you can do for your health is to get familiar with your own anatomy.
That means:
Looking with a mirror
Touching with your fingers
Noticing changes in texture, color, or sensation
The more you know your baseline, the easier it is to notice when something’s new or off.
Normal, benign things I see all the time in clinic:
1. Fordyce spots
These are tiny, white-yellow bumps that show up on the inner labia minora, especially near the vaginal opening. They're actually sebaceous (oil) glands—and totally normal.
2. Hair follicles & bumpy texture
Your labia have hair. They also have oil glands, sweat glands, and folds—so some uneven texture is expected. Stretching the skin can make a fold feel like a bump, even when it's not.
3. Inclusion or sebaceous cysts
These are small, often painless bumps filled with sebum or dead skin. They can feel like a deep pimple and often get bigger over time. I frequently remove these in the office with a small incision and a gentle squeeze. Super satisfying.
4. Skin cell buildup between the labia
Not a true “bump,” but a common source of odor, irritation, and textural change. Using your fingers to gently clean between the labia daily can help keep things clear and comfortable.
5. Skin tags
These harmless little flaps often show up in areas of friction—like the groin or between labial folds. They can be removed easily, but they’re not dangerous.
6. Vestibular papillomatosis
These are soft, fingerlike projections around the vaginal opening. They’re often confused with genital warts, but they’re completely normal and just a variation of healthy tissue.
7. Angiokeratomas
These are small, purple, vascular spots—common in postmenopausal patients. They might look alarming at first, but they’re benign and don’t usually need treatment unless they’re causing problems.
When to get a bump checked out:
It’s painful or tender
It’s growing or changing rapidly
It looks like a mole with irregular borders or odd coloring
It itches, bleeds, or interferes with daily activities
It just doesn’t seem to be healing or going away
Trust your gut. If something feels off, get it looked at.
Feeling embarrassed? Please don’t.
This is your body. It’s your skin, your tissue, and it’s absolutely okay to ask questions about it. You weren’t taught this in school. Most people weren’t taught the anatomical terms or how to examine themselves. That’s not your fault—and it’s never too late to learn.
Want a little more vocab confidence?
🎧 Listen to my podcast Labia Logic.
But even if you don’t know your labia minora from your clitoral hood, your questions are welcome here.
Final Takeaway:
Don’t let Google be your gynecologist.
Learn your body. Get curious, not scared. And know that most bumps are benign—but your peace of mind is always worth a visit.
