[Health Column] Vulvar Sebaceous Cysts, Is It Okay to Squeeze Them? Types of Vulvar Lumps and Signs You Must See a Doctor

 

hello! Director Lee Hyo-jin of Lee Hyo-jin Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic no see .

 

✨ If you suddenly feel something in your vulva one day, you get scared and start to worry for no reason, right? .

 

Many people "Is this acne?", "Will it go away over time?" , or "Can I knit it at home like on the internet?" They often think it over and start by searching first. .

 

However, the skin of the vulva is different from facial skin. .

 

Since it is a sensitive area close to the mucous membrane, if you touch it incorrectly, the inflammation may deepen, causing swelling or severe pain. .

 

In fact, there are quite a few cases where patients visit the clinic after their condition worsens to the point where they have difficulty walking due to forcibly squeezing at home. .

 

🔹 today Differences between vulvar sebaceous cysts, lipomas, and folliculitis—common vulvar conditions—and cases where “monitoring is sufficient” versus “cases requiring medical attention.” I will explain this in detail. .

 

So, are all the lumps felt in the vulva actually the same condition? Let's find out one by one! 👇

 

👉🏻 What are the types of lumps felt in the vulva, and why do they occur?

🙋‍♂️ Various lumps, such as sebaceous cysts, folliculitis, and lipomas, can develop in the vulva, primarily occurring when sebum and dead skin cells become trapped and unable to be expelled from the skin.

 

Many people assume that anything they feel in the vulva is a sebaceous cyst, but in reality, there is quite a wide variety of types when examined in the clinic.

 

Even if they look similar on the surface, the causes and treatment methods can be completely different.

 

 

In that case, among these, commonly occurring Why do sebaceous cysts occur? 

 

🔹 If sebum and dead skin cells inside our skin are not expelled normally and accumulate one by one, a sac-like cyst forms.

 

The vulva, in particular, is an environment where sebaceous cysts are much more likely to form than you might think, as it is an area prone to frequent friction, moisture buildup, and the constant presence of hair and secretions. ✨

 

 

In addition, the following everyday factors can also have a significant impact on occurrence.

 

🔸 tight-fitting clothes Wear (leggings, skinny jeans, etc.)

🔸 Caused by pads or underwear Repeated friction stimulation

🔸 After hair removal Minor skin irritation that occurs

🔸 Body's Hormonal changes and due to physical decline Immunodeficiency

 

 

 

Sometimes you might hesitate about whether you really need to go to the hospital even though you aren't in pain, right? Let me tell you the criteria for when it is okay to just monitor the situation! 👀

 

 

👉🏻 Is it safe to just leave asymptomatic sebaceous cysts alone?

Not all sebaceous cysts need to be removed immediately, and depending on the condition, they may be monitored.

 

Not all sebaceous cysts need to be removed immediately upon discovery.

 

In the following cases, observation is performed without forceful intervention.

 

📌 There is no pain at all.

📌 Red and swollen back It is not red

Even as time passes There is almost no change in size.

📌 Very Similar state for a long time is maintaining

 

In particular, very small sebaceous cysts are sometimes quietly monitored without being touched forcefully.

 

However, the most important thing is to “confirm whether it is really a sebaceous cyst.”

 

Even if they look similar, they can actually be completely different diseases, so an accurate diagnosis must always be prioritized.

 

 

However, there are some who can't wait and try to solve it themselves with their hands, but this is strictly forbidden! 🚨

 

 

👉🏻 What problems can arise if I squeeze a sebaceous cyst by myself at home?

🙋‍♂️ If you forcibly squeeze a cyst on the sensitive vulva, the sac may burst inside, causing inflammation to spread to surrounding tissues.

 

There are some unfortunate stories that I hear very often in the doctor's office.

 

"I just squeezed it with my hand," "I pricked it with a needle," "I watched an online extraction video and followed the instructions exactly," "I applied any ointment I had at home," "I kept applying hot compresses" They often come saying that their condition has worsened.

 

However, the vulva is a very sensitive area. 🚨

 

As a result, the situation becomes serious and causes the following pain.

 

❌ Compared to the first time Swelling up more severely

❌ Aching The pain is getting worse

❌ Straight due to friction It is becoming difficult to walk

❌ on the chair It has become uncomfortable even to sit down.

❌ Constantly repeated recurrence You will end up doing it

 

 

If it keeps popping up in the same spot even after treatment or subsiding, what could be the reason? 🤷‍♀️

 

 

 

👉🏻 Why does inflammation keep occurring in the same spot or recurring?

🙋‍♂️ There may be a combination of causes such as chronic folliculitis, blocked sebaceous glands, skin friction, or systemic immunity.

 

“Director, why does it keep appearing in the same spot?” They ask this question very often as well.

 

If inflammation or lumps recur in a specific spot, it may not be a simple temporary skin problem.

 

 

🔸 Causes affecting recurrent recurrence

• Chronic folliculitis
• Repeated inflammation of surrounding tissues
• Permanent blockage of the sebaceous gland opening
• Structural problem of repeated skin chafing due to friction
• Abnormal immune status of the entire body
• Blood sugar control problems (blood sugar levels, etc.)

Since recurring inflammation is very often not resolved simply by squeezing it out from the surface, it is important to accurately identify internal or structural causes.

 

 

What are the differences between lipomas, which are also frequently found alongside sebaceous cysts? 🔍

 

 

👉🏻 How can I distinguish between a lipoma and a sebaceous cyst?

A lipoma is a lump formed by a clump of fatty tissue; it is usually soft, grows slowly, and causes little pain.

As another type of lump felt in the vulva lipoma There is. A lipoma refers to a lump formed by a cluster of fatty tissue.

 

 

Unlike sac-shaped sebaceous cysts, they generally exhibit the following characteristics.

 

✔️ Soft to the touch soft feeling This happens.

✔️ Over a long period of time Growing slowly

✔️ Unless inflammation occurs The pain is relatively low. no see.

 

Occasionally, patients visit urgently saying, "It feels scary because the lump moves around inside whenever I touch it," but upon closer examination, it is often actually a lipoma.

 

However, since the location and size of the occurrence can cause discomfort in daily life, it is recommended to confirm through a medical examination.

 

 

Inflammation frequently occurs even after hair removal, which is especially common for women doing for cosmetic purposes, right? 🪒

 

 

👉🏻 How is folliculitis that occurs after hair removal different from a sebaceous cyst?

🙋‍♂️Folliculitis commonly occurs due to irritation after hair removal and is red and filled with pus, but it is difficult to distinguish from sebaceous cyst inflammation.

folliculitis It is also one of the skin diseases very commonly observed in the vulva.

 

Especially things like shaving or waxing irritation after hair removal That is why it often happens.

 

 

🔸 Typical symptoms of folliculitis

 

🔴 The skin around the hair follicles It turned red 

⚡ It stings or throbs when touched Pain is felt 

🟡Yellow in the middle It looks like pus 

🔄 Whenever immunity drops Occurs repeatedly box

 

However, even if it looks exactly like folliculitis on the outside, there are quite a few cases where an ultrasound or detailed examination reveals that it is actually an 'inflammation inside the sebaceous cyst.'

 

Therefore, since there are many cases where it is difficult to judge for yourself based solely on appearance, you should not draw your own conclusions by looking only in the mirror. ⚠️

 

Finally, let me summarize the warning signs that tell you you absolutely must not put off visiting an OB/GYN right away! 🏃‍♀️

 

 

👉🏻 What are the warning signs that require a visit to the OB/GYN?

🙋‍♂️ If the lump turns red, becomes painful, grows larger, or makes walking and sitting uncomfortable, you should see a doctor immediately.

The vulva is an area where a wider variety of skin diseases occur than one might think.

 

If you experience even one of the symptoms listed below, we strongly recommend that you do not neglect it and seek medical attention.

 

🚨 The surrounding skin is noticeably It turns red

🚨 Even if you touch it or stay still The pain is severe.

🚨 The size is growing day by day It keeps getting bigger

🚨 Yellowish from the lump area Pus is coming out

🚨 It seemed to be getting better, but soon It happens repeatedly.

🚨 Always in the same spot It keeps recurring.

🚨 Brushed or scraped It is uncomfortable to walk or sit.

 

There are far too many cases where people suffer in silence trying to resolve the issue alone, only to have the wound spiral out of control, resulting in deep scarring or chronic recurring inflammation. Please feel free to visit us for the proper treatment.

 

 

 

FAQ

Q1. Do vulvar sebaceous cysts disappear naturally? ?

A1. In cases where the size is very small and there is no inflammation such as redness or pain, it often remains unchanged or subsides on its own.

 

However, if the lumps keep recurring or growing noticeably larger, you may definitely need to see a gynecologist.

 

Q2. It's frustrating. Can't I just squeeze it out at home? ?

A2. Absolutely not recommended! ⚠️ The vulva is a very delicate and sensitive tissue, so if you forcefully squeeze it, the cyst sac may rupture inside, posing a high risk of deepening internal infection or spreading extensively to surrounding tissues.

 

Q3. Can it be caused by hair removal methods like waxing or shaving? ?

A3. Yes, that is correct. Clinically, it is very common for folliculitis to occur due to physical irritation or microscopic skin abrasions during the hair removal process, or for inflammatory diseases to develop due to blocked sebaceous gland ducts.

 

Q4. What is the reason it keeps appearing in the same spot? ?

A4. If it recurs continuously in a specific area, it is highly likely that there is a chronic inflammatory condition or that the opening of the sebaceous gland is tightly blocked.

 

Alternatively, repetitive friction in daily life, structural skin issues, or problems with systemic immune status or blood sugar regulation may be the cause, so confirmation through an accurate diagnosis is necessary.

 

Q5. If I find any lumps on my vulva, do I have to remove them all? ?

A5. No! Depending on the specific type of lump and whether it is accompanied by inflammation, there are cases where it can be left alone and observed, and cases where active medical treatment is necessary, so it is best to get an accurate diagnosis.

 

 

conclusion

Not all lumps felt in the vulva are the same condition.

 

While there are common conditions such as sebaceous cysts, folliculitis, and lipomas, the direction of treatment can vary completely depending on the condition and diagnosis.

 

Therefore, rather than deciding on treatment blindly or neglecting the condition, an accurate assessment of the condition must be conducted first. 📌

 

 

✔️Especially lumps If it is painful, swollen, recurring, or growing larger It is important not to try to solve the problem by applying ointment or squeezing it out on your own, but to visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis.

 

The vulva is not a shameful part of the body, but a normal and ordinary body part that requires medical attention. In the clinic, I very frequently see cases where patients endure the discomfort alone, thinking "it's probably nothing," only to see the inflammation spiral out of control.

 

If you are experiencing discomfort in your daily life, it is recommended that you visit our clinic for a check-up. Rather than worrying and feeling anxious while searching online on your own, if your discomfort persists, please seek an accurate diagnosis through a consultation with trusted medical professionals. 💖

 

 

 

 

Lee Hyo-jin OB/GYN

Chief Director Lee Hyo-jin

Graduated from Konkuk University School of Medicine

Fellow and Clinical Professor of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanyang University

 

Former Director of Yunho Hospital

Former Director of Jangse Women's Hospital

Former Director of Dream Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

 

Regular member of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Regular member of the Korean Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health

Regular member of the Korean Menopause Society

Regular member of the Korean Society of Sexual Medicine

Current Chief Director of Lee Hyo-jin Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

 

 

 

 

 

 

The medical content of this column was written with reference to the Journal of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, among other sources.