Skin Tags
“One day, I was probably about 20/21, I was washing myself when I felt something that I hadn’t noticed before. I grabbed a mirror and had a look. It was a small fleshy growth on the inside of my outer right labia. I wasn’t too alarmed as it wasn’t painful or itchy and it felt like the same skin texture as my labia’s skin. I had already had a pap smear booked for the following week so I thought while my Gyno was down there checking out my cervix, I would ask about it – just in case. Throughout the week, although my gut feeling told me it was going to be okay, I couldn’t help but turn to Dr Google. I was looking up and researching all sorts of STIs, infections, abnormal growths. By the time, my pap smear appointment had arrived, I was convinced that I had all the diseases under the sun – hey I’m only human but seriously when will I learn to stop freaking myself out on WebMD! My Gyno was almost done with my swabs when I asked for her to look at the growth. It took her less than two seconds before she said “Oh that! It’s just a mole or a skin tag – nothing to worry about”. I almost laughed because it seemed so obvious now that I couldn’t believe I didn’t assume the same thing. She offered that if it bothered me she could remove it but I didn’t think it was needed. I had plenty of moles and skin tags over my body so another one, even if it was on my vulva, didn’t seem like a big deal – it just meant that I had to tell my doctor to check it whenever I have my moles checked for skin cancer/melanoma. Since that appointment, I have never had an issue with it. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed by it. I’ve had plenty of sexual partners and no one has asked me about it (whether they have noticed it or are too embarrassed to ask about it). I honestly have become so fond of it and I love that it’s there.
Everyone’s body is unique and vulva’s are no exception to that.
I have always had a healthy and tender love for myself. I grew up in a pretty body positive environment that didn’t have any taboo questions or topic and naturally I’m a curious human. I have always found sexuality and female health something of interest and pride myself on being pretty knowledgeable on the topics. I don’t know if it was my upbringing or my knowledge on the human body but I have never questioned the way my vulva looked or if it was attractive to other people. I thought she was cute as hell – and why wouldn’t anyone else’s opinion matter? I knew my vagina was magical – she could bring me pleasure, new life into the world and I could bleed for 7 days without dying.”
I think we can all agree, moral of this story is, if you find any lumps or bumps any where on your body, stay calm and go and see a doctor :)
