Ask An Expert: My Vulva Is Quite Swollen. What Could Be Responsible?

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Q: This morning, I noticed my vulva was quite swollen. Is this normal? It’s been almost 7 hours since I noticed and the swelling has only reduced a little bit. What could have caused this and should I be worried?

Dr. Alex Kaoranu Molukwu (OB/GYN) says:

Please relax and take this issue with ease. This overnight swelling of the vulva should not give you sleepless nights.

The fact that there has been reduction in size after seven (7) hours is reassuring. You might have scratched yourself while you were sleeping; this will likely be a minor injury.

If you are sexually active, serious clumsy and awkward bashing during sexual intercourse can result in such a development which is often self-limiting, lasting for a day or two.

If you use motorcycle ‘okada’ for transport, a rough ride may lead to a minor injury with blood collection under the skin; this collection may require surgical drainage if it is a big one.

Neoplastic growths very rarely develop overnight. Your specialist will certainly be the right judge in this health challenge. My advice on this issue is that you monitor the size of the swelling with any associated fever, pain and unpleasant vaginal discharge. This swelling may be the beginning of an abscess formation in one of the Bartholin’s glands. You will require a specialist’s evaluation in that case.

A noticeable appreciable fat tissue growth is often a gradual growth, though disfiguring as it may be, is no cause for alarm.

The clitoris, the Skenes glands are parts of the vulva. Occasionally, these organs may develop cysts or lumpy fat tissue. You may also have an infection called vulval wart, which will need expert’s diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

My guess is that your personal hygiene is high and please keep it up.