[FedoraBandit]

Hey! So I'm new here and I tried looking for a post that could help me but alas,nothing. Anyway, here's my issue:

I'm 24 and last month I had a pap smear done and it came back abnormal-ASCUS. I went ahead and went to a gyno who told me that everything looked fine and cleared my pap smear. I was excited for a few minutes until he said "However". My skin around my vulva is discolored. I've NEVER thought this as abnormal. I thought it was just me. Go figure. Anyway, he did a biopsy on the vulva (it did NOT feel like a bee sting) and I'm still waiting on the results. Its been a week since the biopsy and was told today that it could take up to two weeks...so I'm still waiting.

Has anyone had this happen to them? I've been around online and thanks to it, I'm scared of it being vulvar cancer or melanoma. Are there any be benign symptoms? I don't itch, there's no warts, no abnormal bleeding and no pain. Sex can be a little painful and can burn sometimes however I think that's because of the lack of lubrication. But I don't know anymore.

There are times I'm alright and think "Oh I bet I'm fine!" and then there are days-like today- where I'm close to crying.

Has anyone been through this? Something benign...? Or advice of WHAT it COULD be?

[Katie35801]

What color is it?

[FedoraBandit]

its a dark brown/ purple-ish from what I can see.

[Ashlee T.]

Some women are pink down there, some are brownish, some are greyish, some are bluish, some are purplish. Honestly, there's just so much variation there. Obviously your OBGYN sees lots of them, so if it sparked an interest it's prob best he did the biopsy to be safe rather than sorry. Vulvar cancer is something that develops over time usually slowly and is accompanies with itching and burning, bleeding that is not your menstrual cycle, or a lump. Is your discoloration in one spot, like a lump or lesion, or is your entire vulvar area the dark brown purplish color?

I know the anticipation and worry is driving you bonkers, but try to relax. Having an abnormal pap sometimes is not all that uncommon in women. I had one once, he told me it was mild inflammation of the cervix and when he checked again, all was fine. So your doctor is prob just being extra cautious. Worry is wasteful, and won't change the outcome. Try to keep yourself busy!!! Good luck, hoping for good results.

[FedoraBandit]

Well, he told me he did the biopsy because the HAD to which makes sense and I appreciate it (despite that it really did hurts and its finally healing). Better safe than sorry. There's no lump or lesion and its on the labia minora and leading up to and around the "fun button" and I like to refer it to. Everything else is a pale pink. I was worried about the pap smear but now that I'm in the clear I'm fine about it...its this minor issue that I'm now having. I try to relax and sometimes I do accomplish it while there are times I'm a nervous wreck.

[WildChild]

I dealt with this in my 20s and it was no big deal. I had a history of abnormal paps - never came to anything and have had normal ones for many years now. They decided they needed to biopsy my labia because of a "discoloration". Well guess what? It's essentially like having a large freckle. Just an area of hyperpigmentation. The doctor is erring on the side of caution and chances are you will be found to be perfectly normal.

[WildChild]

Oh, it should heal up just fine, Can't even tell where they did mine.

[FedoraBandit]

Really? That's all it can be? Man, the internet can sure put fright in you! All I came up was "cancer" and "Melanoma" and nothing as simple as that. I will, however, know for sure some time next week...I just wish I had a crystal ball to know for sure in order to get on with my life.

My biopsy spot is healing up but its taking a while. Can't even wear underwear just yet because it hurts...so I'm stuck with leggings when I'm at work. But it is healing.

[WildChild]

Put a little neosporin on it as a kind of lubricant. That will help you be more comfortable.

The internet can be a wonderful resourse but it can also be alot of bull and stuff you don't need too.

[FedoraBandit]

Thanks for the advice, all of you! I really appreciate it....it definitely puts my mind at ease.