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What Causes Pea Sized Lump In Inner Thigh Area?
Question: Hello,
I have a small pea sized (maybe a bit bigger) lump in my inner thigh area (around bikini line) that is painful. This bump comes back about once month, typically before i get my period. It is hard, very painful and it makes it hard to walk. I've tried putting warm compresses on it to see if it would go away that way since it doesn't have a head like a pimple would. It makes a small difference but they come back every month and leave slight scars on that area of my skin. I didn't used to get these and I would over the last 4-6 months, i have gotten them once a month. Sometimes there's is even two bumps (one smaller than the other). Is this something that should be seen by a Gynecologist or general doctor? How can i get them to stop coming back?
I have a small pea sized (maybe a bit bigger) lump in my inner thigh area (around bikini line) that is painful. This bump comes back about once month, typically before i get my period. It is hard, very painful and it makes it hard to walk. I've tried putting warm compresses on it to see if it would go away that way since it doesn't have a head like a pimple would. It makes a small difference but they come back every month and leave slight scars on that area of my skin. I didn't used to get these and I would over the last 4-6 months, i have gotten them once a month. Sometimes there's is even two bumps (one smaller than the other). Is this something that should be seen by a Gynecologist or general doctor? How can i get them to stop coming back?
Brief Answer:
Hormone responsive apocrine gland hyperplasia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam.
Thanks for a classical history you have provided and the queries related to it.
To recapitulate:
Young Female person of 22 - Pea-sized lump- inner thigh -comes back before periods - painful - hard and make it hard to walk - you could not see the head like that of a pimple - leaves small scars every month -
Your Queries:
Whom should you see ?
How they be stopped coming back.
Well, from the history you have provided, this looks to be a secretary gland of the skin- grouped under the apocrine glands.
These are sensitive to the hormonal changes you get every months before the Menstrual periods.
I would advise you the following:
- To consult a Surgeon who can operate you, if you are willing.
- You can get them coming back by a few ways :
To get operated so that you get two benefits.
1 . You get rid of the disease
2 . You get a certain diagnosis as to what this is; as after the removal (excision), you get a histo-pathological diagnosis.
Since you have one and occasionally only 2 bumps appearing, it may be wise decision to undergo an excision.
-Ice compresses when it is warm
-You can apply liquid povidone iodine locally to keep the skin sterile.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis and plan for getting rid of the problem permanently.
Please feel free to ask for more if you to or if you feel there is a gap of communication.
Hormone responsive apocrine gland hyperplasia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam.
Thanks for a classical history you have provided and the queries related to it.
To recapitulate:
Young Female person of 22 - Pea-sized lump- inner thigh -comes back before periods - painful - hard and make it hard to walk - you could not see the head like that of a pimple - leaves small scars every month -
Your Queries:
Whom should you see ?
How they be stopped coming back.
Well, from the history you have provided, this looks to be a secretary gland of the skin- grouped under the apocrine glands.
These are sensitive to the hormonal changes you get every months before the Menstrual periods.
I would advise you the following:
- To consult a Surgeon who can operate you, if you are willing.
- You can get them coming back by a few ways :
To get operated so that you get two benefits.
1 . You get rid of the disease
2 . You get a certain diagnosis as to what this is; as after the removal (excision), you get a histo-pathological diagnosis.
Since you have one and occasionally only 2 bumps appearing, it may be wise decision to undergo an excision.
-Ice compresses when it is warm
-You can apply liquid povidone iodine locally to keep the skin sterile.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis and plan for getting rid of the problem permanently.
Please feel free to ask for more if you to or if you feel there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hello Dr. T Chandrakant,
Thank you for your quick response. I do have some follow up questions...These lumps appear once a month and they go away eventually some time during the month. Does that mean that a surgery would need to be performed when the lumps are showing? I know that there has been several within the same area so i'm just trying to understand how the surgery will get rid of all possible future lumps...Could you please explain further?
Would I need to visit my general doctor so they can refer a surgeon? Finally, do you know typically what the costs of these procedures are?
Thank you for your quick response. I do have some follow up questions...These lumps appear once a month and they go away eventually some time during the month. Does that mean that a surgery would need to be performed when the lumps are showing? I know that there has been several within the same area so i'm just trying to understand how the surgery will get rid of all possible future lumps...Could you please explain further?
Would I need to visit my general doctor so they can refer a surgeon? Finally, do you know typically what the costs of these procedures are?
Brief Answer:
Surgical excision is an option.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
Yes, the lumps need to be removed when they are showing. I did ask for excision as you have said a few get enlarged.
Seen the pictures you have provided, seen the marks from the previous also.
Is the area affected small ? May I please know the size ?
Is it on only on side ?
If the area is small, Surgery is a good option.
Since these are hormone sensitive / dependent, there is no permanent solution, although many therapies have been tried like change in diet- avoiding carbohydrates, warm compresses as you are using, icing the area whenever there is inflammation (redness and pain), reducing the weight if the person is overweight or obese, many medicines, Vitamin supplements particularly Vitamin A and so on.
Due to the less studied and least understood nature of the disease, there is not a single therapeutically proven treatment. If everything fails, surgery may be the only best option.
If the area is small local excision of the affected area; if large- may need skin grafting.
Certainly you need to visit your General Doctor and Get a reference for a Surgeon, He / She would know someone experienced in dealing such rare problems.
I am so sorry to tell you that I can not really tell you about the costs involved, your Doctor will be of the great help.
I hope this helps you understand the problem and possible curative procedures.
Pleased feel free to ask if you have further queries.
Your views may be still clearer once you visit and consult your Doctor / Surgeon.
Surgical excision is an option.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
Yes, the lumps need to be removed when they are showing. I did ask for excision as you have said a few get enlarged.
Seen the pictures you have provided, seen the marks from the previous also.
Is the area affected small ? May I please know the size ?
Is it on only on side ?
If the area is small, Surgery is a good option.
Since these are hormone sensitive / dependent, there is no permanent solution, although many therapies have been tried like change in diet- avoiding carbohydrates, warm compresses as you are using, icing the area whenever there is inflammation (redness and pain), reducing the weight if the person is overweight or obese, many medicines, Vitamin supplements particularly Vitamin A and so on.
Due to the less studied and least understood nature of the disease, there is not a single therapeutically proven treatment. If everything fails, surgery may be the only best option.
If the area is small local excision of the affected area; if large- may need skin grafting.
Certainly you need to visit your General Doctor and Get a reference for a Surgeon, He / She would know someone experienced in dealing such rare problems.
I am so sorry to tell you that I can not really tell you about the costs involved, your Doctor will be of the great help.
I hope this helps you understand the problem and possible curative procedures.
Pleased feel free to ask if you have further queries.
Your views may be still clearer once you visit and consult your Doctor / Surgeon.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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