This is probably a really stupid question, so I apologize in advance if it is. I am a woman in my 20s with no known medical problems. I have never had an exam by an OB-GYN. I have made an appointment with one, as I know that I need to do that, even though I have only had one sexual partner who is free of all STDs. I have what feels like a small bump on either side of the opening of my vagina. I will be asking my doctor about this, but am hoping to get some insight to what it might be ahead of time. I have had these bumps for quite a while. They are not in the vagina itself, but right at the opening. When I become sexually aroused, they seem to swell up and get harder, almost painfully, but not quite. After sex, they return to normal size. When I clench the muscles down there, I can feel them moving right where the muscles around the opening are. They are the same size and in exactly the same place. I read all about cancer/cysts of the Bartholin glands online. Until then, I though this was normal. I am confused as to whether I am feeling bone, cartilage, tissue, glands, tumors or what. They do not hurt unless I am sexually aroused. Even then, it isn't really painful, just kind of a burning feeling and they sort of stick up and are easily felt. They are smaller than a pea. Is it just part of the vaginal opening or something else? I don't want to appear extremely ignorant when I go to the doctor. I haven't had the money to see a doctor, and we just recently got a free clinic here. Thank you so much for your time and answers.

charlotte234s

It sounds to me like it is a gland issue since it is only bothering you when you're aroused, so yes, going to see a doctor is a very smart idea.

mary44

I forgot to mention that the lumps are not visible. They are in the area with no hair, so I know that they aren't from ingrown hair.

charlotte234s

Welcome. I had a problem with one of my glands, i woke up one day to find it had swollen up a lot for no reason at all. The doctor gave me a pill to reduce the swelling and told me it was just some freak accident and maybe that my horseback riding had caused it to swell from hitting it on the saddle, and that if it happened again they'd look into it more, but it went down and never came back. VERY weird.

Yeah an ingrown hair would hurt all the time.

mary44

They are weird. They are the same size on either side, but swell up like I said, so it's wierd. I read that the infected glands become larger after sex, but mine seem to get smaller. Well, I'll let the doc take a look and see what she thinks. I was reading more about it and found that they can swell from infection, without there being a cyst there. So maybe they are just irritated. I exercise a lot, maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe I am just feeling the normal shape of things down there and overanalyzing!