Symptoms of a Bartholin cyst
.A soft, painless lump usually not cause any problem
When the cyst grows very large, it become noticeable and uncomfortable. There’s pain in the skin surrounding the vagina (vulva) during walk, sit down or have sex
The cyst sometimes affect the outer pair of lips surrounding the vagina (labia majora). One side may look swollen or bigger than usual
If the cyst becomes infected, it can cause a painful collection of pus (abscess) to develop in one of the Bartholin glands
Abscess symptoms include the affected area becoming red, swollen, tender and hot, fever
Diagnosis
Cervical screening test, examination
Swab from discharge
Biopsy (some tissues) to exclude cancer
Causes
The Bartholin glands secrete fluid that acts as a lubricant during sex. The fluid travels down tiny tubes called ducts into the vagina.
If the ducts become blocked, they can fill with fluid and expand to form a cyst.
The ducts become blocked, may be by sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, or other bacterial infections, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Treatment
Soaking the cyst in warm water several times a day for 3 or 4 days and taking painkillers*
Abscess…antibiotics then drainage of the cyst*
Drainage of cyst by many techniques
Balloon catheter insertion carried out under local anesthesia, or general anesthesia, takes around 4 weeks… complications of it
pain while the catheter is in place
pain or discomfort during sex
swelling of the lips (labia) around the opening of the vagina
infection
bleeding
scarring
Marsupialization carried out under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, takes about 2 weeks… complications
Infection
the abscess returning
bleeding
pain
Removing the Bartholin gland carried out under general anesthesia, takes about 1 week… complication
bleeding
bruising
infection of the wound
Alternative procedures**
Silver nitrate gland ablation*
Carbon dioxide laser*
Needle aspiration, combined with a procedure called alcohol sclerotherapy*
Advice after surgery
Avoid having sex and using tampons for up to 4 weeks
Avoid using perfumed bath products for up to 4 weeks
Avoid driving or performing tasks that need careful attention for 24 to 48 hours after having a general anesthesia
Bartholin cyst
Affects sexually active women aged 20 to 30
Not usually affect children because the Bartholin glands do not start functioning until puberty
Uncommon after the menopause as this usually causes the Bartholin glands to shrink