Overview

At some point, you may have noticed a dark spot forming on your vagina, labia, or vulva and wondered what it was. Usually, dark spots on the vagina are not a cause for concern, but you may want to ask your primary care doctor or gynecologist to check them out the next time you see them, especially if you have hormone-related health problems. 

In this article, we explore the possible causes of dark spots on the vagina, including when to see a doctor for them.

Older age

Older age is one of the most common causes of changes to the vagina.many women see a number of differences in and around their labias, vulvas, and vaginas as they age. Because the vulva darkens with age, the skin may become darker in some places around the vagina. 

Age-related changes in the vagina can cause discoloration of the vulva, which sometimes appears as darker patches or patches on the skin.

The  changes that may occur in the vagina and vulva with age include a decrease in the amount of pubic hair, increased vaginal or vulvar dryness, and decreased vaginal or vulvar skin elasticity. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)  is a condition when small cysts are found to develop in the ovaries, and this creates havoc of the hormones inside your body. 

Acanthosis nigricans, caused by PCOS, can cause certain dark spots on the vulva that vary in color, texture, and even smell. 

Irregular periods and increased ovarian cysts, may see darker regions of the groin area.

The sudden and rapid rise in estrogen levels causes dark pigmentation, which can lead women to whiten their bikinis. 

Vulvar cancer

Unexplained dark spots on the vulva with other symptoms may indicate an underlying disorder, such as vulvar cancer.

Because the vulva has many blood and lymphatic vessels, cancer that starts here can easily spread to other nearby parts of the body, such as the vagina and bladder.

Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that affects the vulva, which is the external area of the female genitals.

Vulvar cancer is skin cancer, so the types of cells that occur are similar to those that occur with skin cancer elsewhere in the body. Vulvar cancer sometimes looks like red, white or even dark brown spots or patches on the skin of the vulva. Vulvar cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, including lumps, moles, or spots on the vulva. 

When should you see a doctor?

If the color change is too drastic, and is also accompanied by symptoms such as vaginal redness, itching, bleeding, pain during intercourse and bumps in the intimate area, then it's time to seek help from a gynecologist. 

It is important to seek treatment if you have a sexually transmitted disease (such as genital warts or genital herpes), infected cysts and ingrown hairs, or symptoms that accompany vaginal bumps such as pelvic pain. You should contact your nurse, doctor, or gynecologist if your vulva is often itchy because it could be cancer and not thrush that won't go away. 

Takeaway

Even daily activities such as walking, exercising, having sex, or excessive rubbing of the area can cause the vagina to darken.

Darkening of the vaginal area can be caused by wearing tight-fitting underwear or clothes that don't fit, or by not having adequate ventilation in the vaginal area. 

According to Alicia Little, MD, a dermatologist who specializes in skin conditions, skin growths such as seborrheic keratosis or skin warts, as well as common bumps such as ingrown hairs or cysts, usually do not require treatment unless they cause irritation or infection. 

Dark patches or patches on the outside of the vagina are not always a cause for concern and are usually a normal symptom of aging, pregnancy or other hormonal changes. 

If you ask yourself "why is the skin under me darker" or "how do I lighten the vaginal area", hormones may be one of the answers. 

The degree of pigmentation can be very light, barely visible, or very dark, almost black. Certain conditions can affect the area around the vulva, which can cause dark spots to appear around that area.

DISCLAIMER               

Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.