Does this sound like it could be herpes? For the past 9 months (but not every month...it's skipped a couple months) around the time of my menstrual period I've been getting this painfull lump near my vagina. It's not on my vaginal lips, but near it on the right side. The lump never rises above the skin and always stays below...but it does get to the size of a pea. It's painful for the first day or two and then goes away after about 4-5 days total. There are never any sores..considering it's never above the skin. Any ideas?

What you describe could certainly could be Herpes...you need to get a blood test and find out.