Help! I Have A Bump…

Dear Dr. Darcy:

I’m 19 years old and just had sex for the first time.  The condom broke, and aside from having a nervous breakdown over that, this morning I woke up and saw a bump.  I’m attaching a picture of it (sorry if it’s TMI), but the alternative to showing it to you is going to the hospital.  DO I HAVE AN STD?!!!   This thing hurts so much 🙁

ANSWER

I’m always a little surprised when I receive a photo through AskDrDarcy ~ even more so when the photo is of a vagina.

It looks like an irritated hair follicle, which, left alone will turn into a nasty ingrown hair.  Sometimes during sex, the friction from skin-on-skin can cause some irritation, and when that friction happens in an area that is shaved, it’s easy for the hair follicle to become inflamed.  With that said, given your age, the fact that you just had sex for the first time, your concern over the bump, and the fact that the condom broke, you need to visit a gynecologist immediately.  Tell the doctor about the broken condom and she’ll offer you a Morning After pill, which, if you choose to take it, will eliminate any chance of pregnancy.  The doctor will also give you a full exam, she’ll offer you birth control options, test you for STD’s, and she’ll confirm that your bump is nothing to lose sleep over.

You may want to lay off the razor, particularly in the genital area.  It’s going to render you susceptible to future bumps.  If the thought of having pubic hair leaves you horrified, opt for a Brazilian wax.  If there’s a Bliss Spa in your hood, that’s the way to go.  Pop some Advil an hour before your appointment and pick up some Ingrown Hair Eliminator Pads at the register, which you’ll use daily after the shower to prevent any more bumps.

Well done on using a condom.  And a good lesson to have learned ~ They do break.

Writer’s Stats: Female, Bisexual.