Mole on Vulva w/neighboring pimple--deep pain

[KGinKY]

Hi all,

Hopefully this question won't be too convoluted.

About six months ago, my gyn. told me I should have a dermatologist look at a series of moles on my vulva (about 10 total), with special attention to a rather large one.

I've had these moles ever since puberty (I'm 26 now), and atypical, non-cancerous moles run in my family, but I took her advice and went anyway.  

The doctor examined them and told me that since I've had them for many years and they've not changed shape/size/color, there was nothing to worry about, and that I should just keep an eye on them.

For some reason, the gynecologist's recommendation really freaked me out (I dont' know why), and I was convinced, even after my visit to the derm., that something horrible was going to happen.

Fast forward a couple of weeks.  I was checking my moles and noticed that I was having  some pain in a tiny little red spot that was just below my largest vulvar mole.  I thought it might be an ingrown hair and, sure enough, it developed into a really huge, painful pimple.  I put a hot compress on it and drained it, and it seemed to heal, but left a scar.  

It's been about five months now, and nearly every month, the pimple comes back--usually right after my period, due, I think, to the irritation from the pads I wear (I can't wear tampons). It always forms a head and then pops.

Right now, there's a shiny, slightly raised bump that looks like a scar, but the problem is, I can feel a DEEP pain under that area.  It's not constant--only if I'm wearing tight jeans or walking up and down stairs, and then only for brief moments.  There can also be stretches of a week or two where there's no pain at all. What's even stranger is that touching/pressing/pinching the bump and the area around it doesn't hurt.  The pain doesn't seem to be on the outside.  I can't MAKE it hurt, is what I'm trying to say.

I'm terrified that this is some sort of skin cancer.  Is there any reason why this seemingly innocent little bump would hurt this way and continue forming a pimple?  Could it be that internally, it's not really healing up, and there's an infection deep inside?

I'm still paying off my last dermatologist visit (no insurance), and I wouldn't be able to go in and see him again for another couple of months.  The large mole that this bump is near hasn't undergone ANY changes.  I guess I'm afraid that this is somehow cancer that's somehow related to that mole.  Ideally, I would just have the mole and the red bump removed, but, like I said, I can't afford to do that for a couple of months.  

If it would help, I could post a picture (though it's a bit awkward to take one at that angle).  If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.  

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

How are you? I agree that with no changes in the mole appearance, there is nothing to be worried about. In the case of your pain in the vulvar area, there is a condition called Vulvodynia, which is  chronic vulvar discomfort or pain, characterized by burning, stinging, irritation or rawness of the female genitalia. The cause is not known. It may be the result of multiple factors such as an injury or irritation of the nerves that supply and receive input from the vulva; a localized hypersensitivity to yeast; an allergic response to environmental irritants; high levels of oxalate crystals in the urine; and spasm and/or irritation of the pelvic floor muscles. Vulvodynia may be constant or intermittent, localized or diffuse in character. If it persists, have this evaluated by your gynecologist for proper management. A complete physical and pelvic examination, medical history and some tests may be done to determine the underlying cause.

Take care and keep us posted.  

[KGinKY]

I guess I should clarify by saying that this isn't directly on my vulva, but rather on that area where one of my outer labia meets one of my "cheeks." :)