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In a recent Reddit post, a user shared distress over ‘tiny bumps’ she’d noticed on her vulva, which — despite the fact she had never had sex before — she believed might be a symptom of an STI.
However, not only did commenters reassure the young woman these pimples were likely harmless, many admitted they’d had the same fear.
‘I freaked out when I first saw them,’ one wrote, while another added: ‘I thought it was something I caught, but my doctor said it was normal.’
Most agreed they were probably Fordyce spots – a perfectly normal anatomical feature that affects the majority of adults, but one that’s frequently mistaken for sexually transmitted infections due to their appearance and location.
While research suggests that between 70% to 80% of adults have Fordyce spots, awareness remains surprisingly low, and doctors say they’re regularly raised as a concern by women.
But with unrealistic portrayals of bodies in pornography and a lack of open conversations about vulval health, is it any wonder so many assume the worst?
What are Fordyce spots?
‘Fordyce spots are small, pale yellow or white bumps that can appear on the lips, inside the cheeks, or on the genitals,’ Dr Nikki Ramskill, Doctify GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor clinic, tells Metro.
‘They are completely normal and are simply visible sebaceous (oil) glands that don’t have an associated hair follicle.’
While men often notice them along the shaft of the penis or on the scrotum, ‘in women, they’re more commonly found on the labia.’
Crucially, though, she explains ‘they aren’t caused by infection, poor hygiene, or sex, they’re just a natural variation in how the skin is structured. In some people, these glands are more prominent, and more noticeable as a result.’
Who gets Fordyce spots and why?
If you’ve noticed Fordyce spots, you’re far from alone.
‘They’re very common, it’s estimated that around 70–80% of adults have them to some degree,’ says Dr Ramskill.
They often become more visible after puberty, thanks to hormonal changes which ‘increase oil gland activity’.
‘Some people may have more visible spots than others, but there isn’t a specific “at-risk” group,’ she continues. ‘It’s more about natural variation than risk.’
Despite how common they are, many people only spot them later in life, which can make them seem sudden or alarming. This is often why they trigger concern, particularly if someone is already anxious about sexual health.
How to tell Fordyce spots apart from an STI
‘Because they can appear on the genitals and look like small bumps, people understandably worry they might be something like genital warts or another sexually transmitted infection,’ says Dr Ramskill.
However, there are key differences.
Whereas Fordyce spots are ‘usually painless, and have been present for a long time without change’, STIs ‘often have other features such as pain, ulceration, discharge, or changes over time.’
Have you heard about Fordyce spots before?
A GP can diagnose these with a straightforward skin examination, but ‘in the vast majority of cases, no treatment is needed because they’re harmless and not linked to any health risk.’
If someone is particularly bothered by their appearance, cosmetic treatments like laser therapy can remove them, though this would be for aesthetic reasons rather than medical.
Dr Ramskill says she sees this issue ‘very frequently’ in her practice, explaining: ‘It’s one of those things people notice suddenly and understandably worry about, especially if it’s in an intimate area. The main role of the consultation is reassurance.’
And that reassurance can be powerful, with patients experiencing ‘a huge sense of relief once they understand what they are.’
Dr Ramskill believes better education is key, as ‘it’s still not something that is talked about very much, and we’re getting a warped sense of what is normal when watching things like pornography.’
Ultimately, however, she recommends a balanced outlook for anyone worried about a change to the appearance of their genitals: don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.
‘If you notice new or changing skin lesions, particularly if they’re painful, bleeding, or changing, it’s always worth getting checked,’ the doctor concludes.
‘But in many cases, like with Fordyce spots, what you’re seeing is simply a normal part of your body.’
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