Periodically, lumps develop in or around the vaginal opening. There are a variety of causes for these bumps, including cysts, skin tags, and warts.

If you discover a lump on your vaginal wall, make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

They can help you determine the underlying cause and, if necessary, develop a treatment plan.

Found on or under the lining of the vagina, vaginal cysts are closed pockets of fluid. Common types include:

  • Vaginal inclusion cysts: These are caused by injury to the vaginal wall and are the most common vaginal cysts.
  • Bartholin cyst: This type is caused by fluid backup in the Bartholin’s gland located near the vaginal opening.
  • Gartner duct cyst: These are caused by fluid accumulation in the vestigial Gartner’s duct.

Cysts often stay small and don’t need to be treated. A healthcare professional may monitor the cyst, watching for changes.

In some cases, cysts need to be drained, biopsied, or removed. If there’s an infection, your healthcare professional might prescribe antibiotics.

Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and spread by sexual contact.

Genital warts are often:

  • painless
  • small, less than half the size of a pencil eraser
  • found in clusters
  • found inside or outside the vagina, sometimes around the anus

A lump or bulge in the vagina could be caused by an adjacent organ that has moved from its typical position.

Usually, the uterus, rectum, and bladder don’t press against the vaginal wall. With age, ligaments holding organs in place and muscles in the pelvic floor can weaken.

If an organ loses enough of its support, it can move from its typical position, press against the vaginal canal, and create a bulge in the vaginal wall:

  • If it’s from the uterus, the bulge is called a uterine prolapse.
  • If it’s from the rectum, the bulge is called a rectocele.
  • If it’s from the bladder, the bulge is called a cystocele or bladder prolapse.

Vaginal skin tags, also known as vaginal polyps, aren’t harmful.

Treatment is usually unnecessary unless they bleed or become painful.

An angiomyxoma is a slow-growing type of tumor usually found in the female perineal and pelvic areas.

This type of tumor is rare and sometimes overlooked when diagnosing a lump in the vagina.

Typically, treatment involves surgical excision of the tumor.

Vaginal cancer is rare, accounting for up to 2% of all cancers in the female genital tract. When vaginal cancer does occur, about 75% are caused by HPV.

Although there are often very few symptoms in the early stages of vaginal cancer, as the disease progresses, additional symptoms may include:

If you find a bump or lump in or around your vaginal opening, make an appointment with a healthcare professional. They can help determine the cause and work with you on a treatment plan if necessary.