I have recurrent bumps on the vagina, which sting and tingle. Please help.

Hi doctor,

I am a 28-year-old woman looking for some advice about a recurring issue. For several years, even before I became sexually active, I have felt a dull pain on the left side inside my vagina. It often feels like something is there, but medical exams have not found any problems.

The discomfort usually happens around my period, during ovulation, or at the start of intercourse. Sometimes, the pain spreads to my left leg. Over the past year, I have also noticed small bumps during ovulation or menstruation, along with a stinging and tingling feeling. This discomfort can go down my left leg and sometimes causes a sharp, pin-like feeling in the sole of my foot.

In the past, I sometimes felt a sandy or grainy sensation in the area. Over the last year, I have had swelling, bumps, and sometimes small breaks in the skin. These symptoms first showed up about two days after a time when I had rougher intercourse and took an emergency contraceptive pill. I was also ovulating and had a mild urinary tract infection then.

Since then, I have had similar bumps off and on, usually every few months. This month, though, they look a bit different than before. I have never been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection and have only had one sexual partner in the past two years.

The bumps are usually firm and may open a little, but they do not have any discharge. They tend to heal once my hormones settle down. Before they show up, I often feel a sharp, focused pain. Recently, I noticed a new kind of lesion that I have not had before. I am currently on my period and wonder if this could be from irritation caused by sanitary products, but the spot is not where I would expect it to be.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on what this could be.

Thank you.

.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your guidance.

The bumps I get are not painful or itchy. They usually last a few days and show up only around my period or ovulation. I have never seen a group of lesions; it is usually just one bump at a time.

I have been tested for HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis before, and all the results were negative. Still, I am worried about a lesion that showed up last month because it looked different from what I have seen before. Could this be a genital wart?

I want to know if it is possible to have both genital warts and genital herpes at the same time. I have always been careful and have only had one partner. He has not had any symptoms, but could he still carry or pass on an infection without showing any signs?

I am still having the same stinging and pain inside. Can either genital herpes or genital warts cause pain inside the vagina? I have also wondered if this could be a non-STI ulcer or something like vulvodynia.

I am unsure what is causing these symptoms or how to handle them.

I would really appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your quick reply.

I am concerned and would appreciate your advice.

1. Could this condition affect my future fertility?
2. I have taken precautions and ensured my partner was tested, so I am unsure how this occurred. Could this be something other than herpes, such as a rash or allergic reaction?

The lesions are painful, do not form scabs, and typically heal like a simple cut. As diagnostic testing is unavailable in my area.

I would appreciate your guidance on possible causes and recommended next steps.

Thank you for your support.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your response. I would like to clarify that the lesions I am experiencing are painless.

I have spoken with my partner, who has never experienced symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection. Before this relationship, I was not sexually active for over a year, and these symptoms have only appeared within the past year.

This situation is confusing, as I took precautions and discussed sexual health before entering this relationship. Since neither of us has had noticeable symptoms, I would appreciate your guidance on whether this could still be herpes or if there may be another explanation.

Thank you for your assistance.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Before the bump appears, I feel a tingling sensation spreading to my leg and buttocks. When the bump appears, it usually itches a little. Any pain is dull and mild. The lesions near my anal area do not hurt. The most recent one surprised me because I only felt slight itching before I noticed it.

I also want to understand the ongoing pain inside, on the left side of my vagina. This has occurred since before I became sexually active. The discomfort is about half an inch to an inch inside and feels dull when I touch the area, but I do not notice any lump or unusual signs.

I read that conditions like Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain that spreads to the leg and causes tingling. Could this explain what I am feeling?

I would appreciate your thoughts on whether these symptoms are connected or separate issues.

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I have a few more questions about my symptoms. Can herpes cause swelling and firmness in the affected area? The tissue where the single ulcers appear is swollen. The lesions on my anal tag are starting to flatten. I do not feel any pain there, just some mild itching.

I was hoping this might be something less serious, like contact dermatitis, especially since I have had some internal vaginal pain. I would appreciate your advice on what the swelling and firmness could mean. How should I manage it?

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your guidance.

I am attaching a photograph of the affected area for your reference. I would greatly appreciate your opinion on this.

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your response.

Based on the photograph, is it not possible to identify the lesions? I would greatly appreciate your opinion on what they might be.

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your guidance.

The area on my skin is just there; it isn't hard or painful. At first, I thought it might be a skin discoloration or something minor. I would appreciate your thoughts on what it could be.

Please help.

Thank you.