Vaginal acne is a fairly common condition especially for young women, but it can be easily treated. Many women mistakenly believe that pimples in the genital area mean either a sexually transmitted disease or vaginal cancer, however none of the two are true.
Vaginal acne occurs when the apocrine glands become clogged with sweat and bacteria. In addition, tight fitting clothes, low quality fabric underwear, ingrown hair, some soaps and detergents, and even sex or race may be contributing factors to genital acne. To treat this condition simply cleanse the area thoroughly. Keeping it clean and dry and wearing natural underwear made from natural fabrics such as cotton will help keep the area cool and dry so that sweat does not make the problem worse. Acne on itself is not dangerous, however a health professional should be consulted in order to make sure it is only acne and not something more serious.
Genital warts, for instance, last longer than acne pimples. They can appear either smooth and round, pink or white in color, or they can have a rougher surface. Unlike genital acne, genital warts are usually sexually transmitted and they are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
In fact, this is the cause of the confusion between vaginal acne and vaginal cancer. Because HPV has been linked to cervical cancer in women, it is essential to get pap smears regularly in order to identify any warts or precancerous cells. There are many different strains of HPV and a large number of people are believed to be infected with some strain of the virus – as many as 80% of Americans, at some time in their lives. Still, having genital warts does not mean you have vaginal cancer. Nowadays, in an effort to reduce and prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer girls are beings vaccinated against some strains of HPV.
In rare instances, HPV related cancer can occur in the anus, affecting both men and women, or in the penis for men. Genital acne or warts may be nothing alarming and may be easily treated, but on the other hand, in some instances, it can lead to more serious complications. To be on the safe side, consult a health professional if you think you have genital warts or if you know you have had them at some point. It may be nothing serious, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
