I'm a 52 year old woman in peri-menopause. About two months ago, I had an apparently normal period, and I've been bleeding on and off ever since. Mostly very light spotting, often accompanied by some mucus. I did some research and discovered that menstruation often goes crazy during peri menopause. I had another period in January, but the spotting went on. Sometimes it gets a heavier after a bowel movement, or if I fart; but then it goes back to being almost inconsequential. However, I found a lump yesterday while showering, and washing myself "down there". I pressed on the lump, there was no pain, however, I had to finish my shower quickly and have a "number two." I have looked at this lump with the aid of a hand mirror and it is dark red, and seems to be located at the bottom of my vagina. It bled from the sides when I pressed on it, but the bleeding quickly stopped. I would have gone to my health care provider right away, but I am currently unemployed and struggling to pay a huge bill I recently got from the clinic. I know I should have this checked out immediately, but I am afraid, and embarrassed. The thought of a stranger looking at my "naughty bits" makes me actuely uncomfortable.View Thread
UPDATE: The swelling shrunk quite a bit by my daubing on a triple anti biotic cream. But the swelling came back. Then I bathed the area in warm water and the swollen gland shrunk to normal size. But it's back again, almost as if its taunting me. I wonder if it could be an allergy, or a yeast infection. My vagina is disharging a larger amount of mucus, but there isn't any pain, itching, or foul odor. I have been shoverling snow due to two storms that came through this week, and both times the swelling felt a bit largr, like it was more irritated.View Thread