Bartholin’s Cyst
The Bartholin’s glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete fluid
that helps lubricate the vagina.
Sometimes the openings of these glands become obstructed, causing fluid to back up into the gland.
The result is relatively painless swelling called a Bartholin’s cyst. If the fluid within the cyst
becomes infected, you may develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess).
A Bartholin’s cyst or abscess is common. Treatment of a Bartholin’s cyst depends on the size of the
cyst, how painful the cyst is and whether the cyst is infected.
Sometimes home treatment is all you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the Bartholin’s cyst
is necessary. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be helpful to treat the infected Bartholin’s
cyst.
Symptoms of Bartholin’s Cyst
If you have a small, noninfected Bartholin’s cyst, you may not notice it. If the cyst grows, you
might feel a lump or mass near your vaginal opening. Although a cyst is usually painless, it can be
tender.
A full-blown infection of a Bartho-lin’s cyst can occur in a matter of days. If the cyst becomes
infected, you may experience:
- A tender, painful lump near the vaginal opening
- Discomfort while walking or sitting
- Pain during intercourse
- Fever
A Bartholin’s cyst or abscess typically occurs on only one side of the vaginal opening.
When to see a doctor?
Call your doctor if you have a painful lump near the opening of your vagina that doesn’t improve
after two or three days of self-care — for instance, soaking the area in warm water (sitz bath).
If the pain is severe, make an appointment with your doctor right away.
Also call your doctor promptly if you find a new lump near your vaginal opening and you’re older
than
- AN.B – lthough rare, such a lump may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as cancer.
Causes Bartholin Cyst
Experts believe that the cause of a Bartholin’s cyst is a backup of fluid. Fluid may accumulate
when the opening of the gland (duct) becomes obstructed, perhaps caused by infection or injury.
A Bartholin’s cyst can become infected, forming an abscess. A number of bacteria may cause the
infection, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and bacteria that cause sexually transmitted
infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Complications of Bartholin Cyst
A Bartholin’s cyst or abscess may recur and again require treatment.
Prevention
There’s no way to prevent a Bartholin’s cyst. However, safer sex practices in particular, using
condoms and good hygiene habits may help to prevent infection of a cyst and the formation of an
abscess.
Diagnosis for Bartholin Cyst
To diagnose a Bartholin’s cyst, your doctor may:
Ask questions about your medical history Perform a pelvic exam
Take a sample of secretions from your vagina or cervix to test for a sexually transmitted infection
Recommend a test of the mass (biopsy) to check for cancerous cells if you’re postmenopausal or over
40
If cancer is a concern, your doctor may refer you to a gynecologist who specializes in cancers of
the female reproductive system.
Treatment for Bartholin Cyst
Often a Bartholin’s cyst requires no treatment especially if the cyst causes no signs or symptoms.
When needed, treatment depends on the size of the cyst, your discomfort level and whether it’s
infected, which can result in an abscess.
Treatment options your doctor may recommend include :
Sitz baths
Soaking in a tub filled with a few inches of warm water (sitz bath) several times a day for three
or four days may help a small, infected cyst to rupture and drain on its own.
Surgical drainage
You may need surgery to drain a cyst that’s infected or very large. Drainage of a cyst can be done
using local anesthesia or sedation.
Antibiotics
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if your cyst is infected or if testing reveals that you
have a sexually transmitted infection. But if the abscess is drained properly, you may not need
antibiotics.
Marsupialization
If cysts recur or bother you, a marsupialization procedure may help. Your doctor places stitches on
each side of a drainage incision to create a permanent opening less than 1/4-inch (about
6-millimeter) long. An inserted catheter may be placed to promote drainage for a few days after the
procedure and help prevent recurrence.
Rarely, for persistent cysts that aren’t effectively treated by the above procedures, your doctor
may recommend surgery to remove the Bartholin’s gland. Surgical removal is usually done in a
hospital under general anesthesia. Surgical removal of the gland carries a greater risk of bleeding
or complications after the procedure.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Daily soaking in warm water, several times a day, may be adequate to resolve an infected
Bartholin’s cyst or abscess.
After a surgical procedure to treat an infected cyst or abscess, soaking in warm water is
particularly important. Sitz baths help to keep the area clean, ease discomfort and promote
effective drainage of the cyst. Pain relievers also may be helpful.
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