Can a cut from shaving cause a swollen lymph node on the vulva?

Swollen Lymph Nodes from Shaving Cuts on the Vulva

A shaving cut on the vulva can cause localized swelling and inflammation, but you cannot actually get a swollen lymph node on the vulva itself—lymph nodes in this region are located in the inguinal (groin) area, not on the vulvar skin.

Understanding Vulvar Anatomy and Lymphatic Drainage

The vulva does not contain lymph nodes within its tissue. The inguinofemoral lymph nodes that drain the vulva are located in the groin region, specifically in the inguinal and femoral areas lateral to the vulvar structures 1. What you may be feeling or seeing on the vulva itself after a shaving injury is likely one of the following:

Local Inflammatory Response (Most Likely)

• Localized swelling, erythema, and tenderness at the site of a shaving cut represents normal inflammatory response to minor trauma 1
• The vulvar tissue can develop significant edema and swelling from even minor injuries due to its rich vascular supply
• This is not a lymph node but rather tissue edema and inflammation

Infected Hair Follicle or Gland

• Bartholin gland infection presents with swelling, erythema, and tenderness in the posterior vestibule at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions, which can extend into the labia minora 1
• Skene gland infection appears as erythematous areas lateral to the urethra 1
• Shaving-related trauma can introduce bacteria and cause folliculitis or abscess formation

When Inguinal Lymph Nodes Actually Enlarge

True inguinal lymph node enlargement from vulvar pathology occurs when:

• Infection is present: Enlarged painful inguinal nodes can indicate sexually transmitted infections including syphilis or herpes simplex virus 1
• Significant inflammation: Severe vulvar infections or inflammatory conditions can cause reactive lymphadenopathy in the groin
• Malignancy: Vulvar cancer spreads to inguinofemoral lymph nodes, not vulvar tissue itself 1

Clinical Implications of Shaving

Research demonstrates that pubic hair shaving using a razor is correlated with genital inflammation and vulvar dysplasia 2. The practice of shaving, particularly of the labia majora, creates microtrauma that can:

• Introduce bacteria and cause localized infection
• Create inflammatory responses in vulvar tissue
• Potentially increase risk of HPV-related pathology over time 2

What You Should Do

If you have a swelling on the vulva after shaving:

• This is most likely localized tissue inflammation or an infected hair follicle, not a lymph node
• Keep the area clean with gentle soap substitutes and avoid further irritation 3
• If the swelling is painful, warm, and enlarging, it may represent an abscess requiring medical evaluation
• True inguinal lymph node enlargement would be palpable in your groin crease, not on the vulvar skin itself 1

Prevention

Clipping rather than shaving should be used if hair removal is desired, as shaving increases infection rates and inflammatory complications 1. The routine removal of pubic hair does not decrease infection rates and may actually increase vulvar inflammation risk 1, 2.