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....CONTINUE READING
It does happen though that sometimes 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. Visit your doctor urgently if you have a painful lump near the opening of your vagina that doesn’t improve after two or three days of self-care.
This may include for instance, soaking the area in warm water (sitz bath). If the pain is severe, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Also visit your doctor promptly if you find a new lump near your vaginal opening and you’re older than 40 years of age.
Although rare, such a lump may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as cancer
.
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 Bartholin’s cyst can occur in a matter of days. If the cyst becomes infected, you may experience the following symptoms:
A Bartholin’s cyst or abscess typically occurs on only one side of the vaginal opening.
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 causesuch as gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
E. coli is typically found in the anal area and wiping from the back to the front may cause this infection to spread to the genitalia.
These factors may increase the risk of Bartholin’s abscess, the condition can also occur without any apparent cause.
The main complication of Bartholin’s cyst or abscess is recurrence and again require treatment.
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.
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:
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 the infected area, 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.
