Concerned about vulva

[anxiousalice74]

Hi,
I've name changed for this.
So, I have a couple of questions regarding what's normal and what's not when it comes to the vulva.
I've been stressing recently about a little hard lump/spot/old cyst thing that I have on the smooth part of my outer left labia. It's been there for over ten years and has never changed or done much to cause me concern other than it just being there. I had it checked when it first appeared and the GP popped it saying it was a follicle or cyst or whatever. I had it looked at a second time a few years ago and the GP was totally unconcerned but didn't know what it was.

I recently looked at my vulva with a hand mirror and was startled to see how brown the skin is on my labia. I also have quite a darkly pigmented patch on my perineum (just below the vaginal opening). I have no idea if this brown pigmentation is normal. My partner says it's always looked like that (or certainly for as long as he could remember) and he thought it looked normal.
I'm becoming really anxious about the possibility of VIN - the images I've seen online look very similar to how my vulva looks.
I know I need to probably get this checked again but I just wondered if it's possible to have very brown vulva lips without it being anything sinister?
TIA

[ArnoldBee]

1. if you're that concerned book a doctors appt - we can't see your vulva.
   
2. it's probably a cyst.
   
3. Your bits get darker as you get older.

[gamerchick]

It's called ageing I think. That's why bleaching is a thing because woman think it's not normal.

[anxiousalice74]

I'm not so worried about the lump thing as it's been there forever, but the dark skin has worried me. I'm 45 by the way, so yes, ageing is no doubt a factor!!

[MissClementine]

It can also be hormonal the pigmentation.

[Toofaroutallmylife]

Please see your GP to get it checked. It could be nothing but it’s good to get it checked out to be sure

[Goolies]

Hi did you get this checked @anxiousalice74 I have the same thing!