Aunt Vadge: A little cucumber-shaped piece of tissue two inches inside my vagina
Aunt Vadge I’m worried.
I have a growth inside my vagina about two inches in; it’s attached to one of the walls and shaped like a skinny cucumber. I have no idea what it is and discovered it a while ago while masturbating.
I don’t have the money to go to a doctor, so I want to know if this is something serious or just another part of me.
Please help!!
Sincerely,
Very Worried
Age: 16, USA
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Dear Very Worried,
It sounds like you’ve stumbled upon an unexpected discovery in your nether regions! But fear not, it’s likely nothing to worry about.
What you’re describing could be a remnant of foetal development, specifically a leftover piece from the Müllerian ducts, which form the basis for our female reproductive organs. Sometimes, these ducts don’t fully fuse, leaving behind bits of tissue like the one you’ve found.
This tissue might resemble what’s known as a vaginal septum, though it’s located deeper than where you’d typically find one. Think of it like two straws that are supposed to merge into one; sometimes, a little piece gets left behind.
Or, it could be a little piece of hymen, called a hymenal remnant or hymenal ring, though it seems a little far in for this.
The good news? It’s highly probable that this extra bit will either disappear on its own as you age or require a quick surgical removal if it bothers you. And rest assured, it’s unlikely to be anything sinister like a tumour.
To put your mind at ease, I’d recommend visiting a free sexual health clinic in your area for a quick check-up. They can confirm what you’ve found and offer guidance on next steps. Don’t worry about knowing what to say – just explain your situation, and they’ll take care of the rest.
Remember, it’s essential to take charge of your sexual health, and regular check-ups are part of that journey. And if you have any more questions, I’m here to help!
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
References​1,2​
- 1.Santana Gonzalez L, Rota IA, Artibani M, et al. Mechanistic Drivers of Müllerian Duct Development and Differentiation Into the Oviduct. Front Cell Dev Biol. Published online March 8, 2021. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.605301
- 2.Mullen RD, Behringer RR. Molecular Genetics of Müllerian Duct Formation, Regression and Differentiation. Sex Dev. Published online 2014:281-296. doi:10.1159/000364935
