You may find dark spots on yourvagina or vulvafor multiple reasons.
Some causes, like aging, friction, and hormones, are less concerning than others.
But sometimes dark spots can be problematic.
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The color of yourvulvausually 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.
It also covers when to seek medical care.
Chinnapong / Getty Images
What Causes Dark Spots on Your Vagina?
That way, you’ll be better able to identify changes.
The Difference Between the Vagina and the Vulva
The vagina is inside your body.
The canal starts at thecervixand ends at the outside of the body.
“Vulva” is a blanket term for your exterior genitals.
These structures may appear pinkish or brownish, depending on your skin tone.
Age
As you age, your body changes, including your vagina and vulva.
As estrogen declines duringmenopause, the vagina begins to atrophy (thin).
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.
In addition to skin changes, symptoms include itching, pain, and discharge.
People with PCOS typically have acne and other skin issues, including dark patches calledacanthosis nigricans(AN).
Hormones
The hormonesestrogenandprogesteroneplay 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.
Skin pigmentation changes often occur duringpregnancy, when these hormones experience significant fluctuation.
Vulvar Cancer
Rarely, a dark spot on the vulva can be a sign of cancer.
They work by decreasing your body’s melanin production.
In addition, more serious things like PCOS, infections, and cancer may cause them.
Treatment depends on the cause, so an accurate diagnosis is essential.
Performing regular vaginal self-exams familiarizes you with the normal appearance of your genitals and makes spotting any changes easier.
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National Library of Medicine.Vulvovaginitis.
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doi:10.7554/eLife.15104
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vulvar Cancer.
