Lumps in vagina - skin tags?

[Katialoo]

Hi, I went to the doctor because I was concerned about some lumps in my vagina. She told me they were skin tags and she also said it looks as though some of my stitches from giving birth (dd is 4) are inflamed. I've been googling and they really don't look like skin tags to me. Also from what I've found so far it doesn't seem like it is common to get skin tags actually inside the vagina, more like they happen on the outside around the labia/general groin area.

The doctor did make me feel a bit stupid for going to see her, she asked why I'd come in a way that made me feel I shouldn't have bothered... I can't remember the exact conversation but she did make me feel a bit silly and she repeated something along the lines of "and why are you here" a few times in a tone that made me feel I shouldn't have gone. I genuinely thought if you had lumps suddenly appear it was normal to get them checked out. I'm really not keen on going to the gp and only go if I think I have to so I felt a bit put out by this. I'm wondering if that's making me not trust her diagnosis. Logically I know that she is medically trained and knows more than me /what I find on Google, but I really didn't come away feeling reassured.

Tbh my main concern is that I am very self-conscious about these lumps. I'm on the verge of entering a new relationship and I'm so embarrassed about the thought of him seeing them , so I'd like them removed. I've seen you can buy stuff to remove skin tags but because mine look nothing like pictures of skin tags I don't really want to mess around so I don't know what to do. Do I go back for a second opinion?

I have some as well. One is large and looks nothing like skin tags you see on Google images!! I don't care what mind look like but if it bothers you I would ask a different gp.

Thanks Porlock. One of mine is very large too. Feel free not to answer but are yours actually inside your vaginal opening? That's the other thing that confused me. Online I could only find stuff about ones on the outside but mine are all in.

When she says skin tags, does she actually mean skin flaps / scar tissue left over from the stitching?

Were the lumps there before? I thought everyone had a sort of bumpy inside vagina tbh

If you're unsure book an appointment at the GU/ sexual health clinic. They'll either reassure you or refer you on if need be. They won't judge or make you feel like a time waster, and they're the experts in this field. Better to get them checked than worry.

Awww poor you.
My DD who is now 11, had to have a skin tag removed from just inside her vagina.
And only because we thought if it was left it would be worse as she got older.
But what I'm saying is yes you can get them inside.
I'd go back to see someone else and tell them you were upset with the previous doctor and you don't like the look of them and if you could have them removed then please can you.

How rude of that Doctor!

Good luck xx

Could be hymenal remains. Mine were not as noticeable before kids but then my anatomy somewhat moved and they are right at the entrance

Daffo, yes these are new for me. One first appeared after the birth of my dd and then about a year later a second one came up and they seem to be getting bigger. I think I will go to a Gum clinic, thank you Bom for the idea. I hadn't thought about that. It was a private doctor that I saw, my first time going private. Was quicker than waiting for my normal gp and I still have cover from my ex partners job so thought I'd make use of it. After this I think the NHS is better but was so much quicker to get seen privately!

ItsAllGoingToBeFine she said some of my scarring is inflamed, and I asked her if that's what the lumps were and she said "you have some skin tags as well". So I guess that the big lumps are the skin tags but I'm really not sure. But they are very visible and every time I have a look they seem bigger.

CrAzYmUmOf2 your poor dd. Glad she got it sorted. Thank you for letting me know about them being on the inside. I really was confused about that!

It is horrible when you are worried about something like this and then not being reassured when you visit a doctor. Like a pp said, I would look into visiting a GU clinic where staff will probably have time to talk to you about what you are concerned about and explain properly what you have.

yes if they are new you should definitely get them checked out. I agree the GUM clinic I've always found much more welcoming! Good luck and sorry the doctor made you feel that way.

I had a fairly big lump half way up, it appeared a few weeks/ months after first birth (can't remember exactly). This was years ago. GP said it was probably a benign cyst.

It vanished a year later, then reappeared around the time of my menopause, years later. Then vanished again.

I'm not sure what you can take from that. But some of these things come and go.

Be careful with GUM clinics!!

I went there to get my skin tags checked in case and for 6 years was diagnosed and treated for genital warts!!

Until I asked to see a specialist in Genital warts who said they were actually only skin tags!!

6 bloody years I thought I had a STI!

Yes mine are just inside

DownTheGardenPath omg!

I had the same problem as you after the delivery. I thought it was a lump, and one doctor assured me it should be deleted surgically immediately and be given to some specific analysis. But I consulted two more doctors and they told I had only a cysts form lumps under the skin. It's harmless thing filled with liquid. And these inclusion cysts are common after a complicated childbirth, such as one involving surgery. So, go to other specialist and don't be afraid!

I saw a private gynae post birth who categorically told me everything was normal. It wasn’t and I’ve since had surgery on NHS. I’ve later found out that he doesn’t work in the NHS anymore as he can’t hack the standards and is out of date etc (friend who works in this areas words not mine). I’m sure some private doctors are great but I think there are also a greater percentage of rubbish ones. So my advice would be to see your NHS GP and ask for an NHS gynae.

Hello, I am just wondering whether you got any further with finding it exactly what these lumps are as I've recent discovered I've got them and they're growing and I've been trying to find out what they are. To be honest I don't even think the gynaecologist knew what they were or why they were there...