The color of your vulva usually coincides with the tone of your skin and can range from pink to brown. Being familiar with your body and what is normal can help you identify changes in pigment.
This article explains what causes dark spots on the vagina and vulva.
What Causes Dark Spots?
To understand when dark spots on your vagina are abnormal, get to know what pigment is typical for you by becoming familiar with how your genitals look. That way, you’ll be better able to identify changes.
Rest assured that dark spots are often benign (not harmful), but it’s always best to get them checked out by a healthcare provider.
Age
As you age, your body changes, including your vagina and vulva. As estrogen declines during menopause, the vagina begins to atrophy (thin). In addition, blood flow to the area reduces, and the vagina becomes drier. All of these changes can make your vagina and vulva appear darker.
Friction
Vaginal or vulvar friction can make the genitals more susceptible to dermatological (skin) conditions, including pruritus (vaginal itching), as well as skin color and texture changes. Common causes of friction include vaginal intercourse, tight clothing, and riding a bike.
Vaginal Infections
Common infections can also cause dark spots on the vagina. For example, vulvovaginitis, swelling or infection of the vulva and vagina, can result in skin discoloration.
Yeast infections, most often due to an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans, are a common cause of vulvovaginitis. Yeast infections often are accompanied by changes in skin pigmentation. In addition to skin changes, symptoms include itching, pain, and discharge.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is when cysts grow on the ovaries, often resulting in infertility and other symptoms. People with PCOS often have acne and other skin problems, including dark patches called acanthosis nigricans (AN).
In one study of participants who were seen in a hospital in India, researchers found that 56% of people with PCOS had AN. This skin condition affects the top layers of skin, which become thick and dark. AN is an indicator of hyperinsulinemia (high levels of insulin) and diabetes, which are risk factors associated with PCOS.
Hormones
The hormones estrogen and progesterone play a role in skin pigmentation. Specifically, estrogen increases skin pigmentation, while progesterone decreases it.
When hormones are in balance, the skin maintains a usual pigmentation. However, an imbalance in these hormones can result in dark spots on the skin, including the vulva and vagina.
Skin pigmentation changes often occur during pregnancy, when these hormones experience significant fluctuation.
Vulvar Cancer
Rarely a dark spot on the vulva can be a sign of cancer. Symptoms of vulvar cancer include:
LumpsItchingPainChange in skin textureA mole on the vulva
While these can also be symptoms of less serious conditions, you may still want to get a mole or other growth on the vulva or vagina examined by a healthcare provider.
How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on Your Vagina
Treating a dark spot depends on the cause. The following treatments may work for different conditions:
“Vulva” is a blanket term for your exterior genitals. It includes the mons pubis (fatty tissue in front of the pubic bone), labia majora and minora (large and small vulvar lips), clitoris, and urethra. These structures may appear pinkish or brownish, depending on your skin tone.
Infections may require medications. Hormonal issues may resolve on their own (in the case of pregnancy). Age-related hormonal fluctuations may benefit from hormone therapy. Using lubrication during vaginal sex. Adjusting clothing choices may help with friction-related discoloration. PCOS treatments include lifestyle modifications, medication, and surgery. Cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.
Since it can be challenging to know how to treat dark spots on the vagina without a proper diagnosis, seek a medical evaluation first.
Prevention
You can’t always prevent dark spots on the vagina due to aging, hormonal fluctuations, and existing health conditions. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of vulvar inflammation and irritation, friction, and yeast infections, which include:
Wear loose, breathable garments. Use lubrication during vaginal intercourse. Avoid scented menstrual products, which can disrupt your vaginal pH. Avoid douching. Wipe front to back. Be familiar with your vulva and vagina by examining them periodically.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Since so many conditions’ symptoms overlap, it can be difficult to tell when something is benign or harmful. Therefore, whenever you experience changes in your vagina or vulva, including dark spots, it’s best to have it evaluated by a healthcare provider.
If your dark spot is accompanied by signs of infection, such as a fever, fatigue, muscle aches, or swollen lymph nodes, seek medical attention immediately.
Summary
Dark spots on the vagina or vulva may result from aging, hormonal fluctuations, or friction. In addition, more serious things like PCOS, infections, and cancer may cause them. Treatment depends on the cause, so an accurate diagnosis is essential. Since symptoms often overlap, you should seek a medical evaluation if you notice changes in your genital skin pigmentation.
A Word From Verywell
If you’re not performing vaginal self-exams, it’s an excellent time to start. These exams familiarize you with the normal appearance of your genitals. That means if changes do occur, you’ll notice them sooner.
