What’s a Bartholin’s cyst?

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A Bartholin’s cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that forms when the Bartholin’s gland becomes blocked. Bartholin’s glands are small organs found near the opening of a woman’s vagina. There are two Bartholin’s glands, with one located on each side of the entrance to the vagina.
The glands are found under the skin and are so small that they can’t be seen or even felt when they are functioning normally. They produce a fluid that lubricates the vulva, or inner area, of the labia. This fluid is secreted through tiny tubes called Bartholin’s ducts.

If one of these ducts becomes blocked, a Bartholin’s cyst can occur. It can grow to the size of a small pea or swell to the size of a large marble. However, a Bartholin’s cyst typically remains quite small and, unless it becomes infected, is usually painless.

The presence of a Bartholin’s cyst is usually first noticed as a small lump around the vulva area. There may also be an indication of its existence by some redness or swelling in the area. Although some women may discover a Bartholin’s cyst on their own, it often goes unnoticed unless detected by the gynecologist during an exam or the cyst becomes infected.

When a Bartholin’s cyst is infected, an abscess will occur. The abscess will generally grow larger over a period of two to four days, and walking or sitting often becomes increasingly uncomfortable and painful. While fever is not usually associated with the abscess, vaginal discharge may occur. This is usually more common if the infection is caused by a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Because of this possibility, it is generally recommended that you wear a condom during intercourse to reduce the risk of infection.

Although a Bartholin’s cyst may go away on its own, if it is painful or infected, patients can seek treatment from a gynecologist or family doctor. Your doctor will usually prescribe an antibiotic and a nonprescription pain reliever such as ibuprofen. In some cases, the doctor may drain the abscess or removal of the Bartholin gland and duct may be recommended if there are recurring cases of the cyst.

Home treatments for a Bartholin’s cyst may include soaking in a warm, shallow bath or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a type of bath in which only the hips and buttocks are immersed in the water. Sitz baths can usually be purchased at a medical supply store. One of the more common types is a sink that fits over a toilet seat and is then filled with water.

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