I have a painful boil inside the lip of my vagina. I am currently on my period and it really hurts to wipe. Please help!

So sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable. Unfortunately, there are many different causes for lumps and bumps in the vagina. Some causes are more serious than others, for example sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes or genital warts. That is why it’s super important that if you are sexually active, that you get tested right away. It’s a good idea to get STI testing before you have sex again, this will help reduce transmission to your partners. The lumps and bumps could also be caused by an in grown hair, cyst, or another infection.  If you’re shaving your pubic hair, sometimes an in grown hair develops. Once the hair is cut, as it grows, it can become trapped creating a painful, angry bump. On the inside of the lips of the vagina (labia minora) there are glands called the Bartholin glands. These glands help keep you vagina moist (which is a good thing), but sometimes they get clogged, causing a painful cyst. You can also get other infections that may require antibiotics. It’s important not to pick at or try to “pop” the lesion. Regardless of the cause, it’s always best to get checked out by your health care provider (HCP) because they know you and your body best!