Could This Pea Sized Lump Be Due To Ovulation Or Does This Sound Like A Cyst ?

Posted on Sun, 7 Jun 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Jun 2020 Answered on

Fri, 3 Oct 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I’m 39 and 3 days ago I noticed a hard pea sized lump under the skin of my labia and I was pre ovulation. I had a hot bath and two days later it feels less hard but can still feel a soft spot under the labia skin, could this be due to ovulation or does this sound like a cyst? Is this likely to reoccur and should I see a doctor? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be non harmful swelling of vaginal tissue-needs caution.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Abond27,
Thanks for the queryI understand your concern.
* The lump occuring on labia near vaginal opening , is hard in begining &turning soft later on ..is mostly swelling of the small secretory gland in labia(minora or vaginal lip) near the vaginal opening... is likely to be - a lump of Bartholins gland there...(while its opening gets clogged due to increased vaginal secretion at ovulation.)
Such painless lump later on gets softer &may disappear over the time.But in case it gets infected...it would be painful&would cause inflammation of the gland turning into abscess later on.
Manegment :consists of keeping the lump clean(good genital hygiene..by washing it with fresh water frequently./Don't try to open it up by squizing or pricking it .)
* Small lumps any where on labia majora are usually due to trauma to skin or deeper tissues...
These are harmless ,disappear over a time or may remain there for many days.
* Don't worry, unless they increase in size, swell up, start paining and form an abscess. or a bigger mass

** So at the moment
-you need to just keep the lump clean...avoid infection (may be due to bad hygiene or sexually transmitted)
-
I hope that helps you.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (5 hours later)

Thank you for your help Dr. A quick follow up question, the lump feels smaller and softer when I lie down versus when I stand up, is this normal? Many thanks

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it's just a physical character of liquid in the cyst.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follöw up query.
You are really inquisitive!A good quality indeed!
My answer that logically stands true...is, the lump has turned softer...that is because it's a cyst.Cyst is a lump filled with liquid&here the liquid is mucus (secreted by Bartholin gland for lubrication of vagina.This secretion is trapped due to block in its opening..this forming a cyst)
Now,when you lie down liquid gains horizontal level and so it becomes spread over /flatter& the size appears smaller. While as you stand up it pops out with gravity,along with all the genital organs &looks bigger.
Hope that satisfies you.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj