For the past few years I have had a lump on the outside of my inner labia. It is up at a level with my urethra and is about the size of a pea. It is not normally sore or itchy (though the whole area between inner and outer labia itches sometimes) and does not seem to be growing. I know I should go to my doctor, but I have never even managed to make myself go for a pap smear, just the doctor mentioning that perhaps I should have one is enough to leave me a panicking wreck and make him promptly change his mind. However this lump is not going away and every now and then annoys me by being sore and tender for a few days. What is it?

It could be an ingrown hair. Lumps in that area, if not bleeding and sore, are normal. I have had them and haven't worried about them because I just know that there is nothing to worry about. They go away on their own. I haven't had one in about four or five years; and even when I did get them I was positively not sexually active and had regular pap tests, physicals, regular internal exams.