Bartolin’s cyst – what to do?

This is a painful lump appearing in the lower part of the female genital area. What can you do?

They may be as big as a marble

Bartolin’s glands are located in a woman’s genital area, more specifically inside the entrance to the vagina, in the labia minora. At each side, there’s a very small Bartolin’s gland which isn’t visible or palpable if it’s normal in size. The glands produce a small amount of fluid that moistens the external part of a woman’s genitals. The fluid comes from two small tubes next to the vaginal opening, called Bartolin ducts. Problems arise when these ducts are blocked and fluid starts accumulating in the glands. This causes a palpable swelling that is called Bartolin’s cyst. These cysts may differ in size, and some of them can even grow as big as a marble. Bartolin’s cyst grows very slowly and usually doesn’t become visible just over night. A pus-like discharge may also occur in the event that a cyst becomes infected.

Bacteria are to blame

Bartolin’s cyst can be caused by several types of bacteria. These also include the bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, as well as the bacteria that are present in the gastro-intestinal tract. A cyst can become larger after sexual intercourse, since the glands produce more fluid during intercourse. In that case, it’s therefore best that you avoid sex until the problem is treated fully.

How to recognise Bartolin’s cyst?

Bartolin’s cyst occurs in the form of swelling on one side of the entrance to the vagina. It develops in the lower part of the labia minora. If a cyst isn’t infected, it’s usually painless and red colour. If a cyst is large, it’s often also painful. The size of Bartolin’s cyst can vary from 0.2 inches (6 mm) to almost 1 inch (2.5 cm). A severe pain indicates the possibility of an infection and the presence of an abscess. There may also be a vaginal discharge, and it may also be very difficult to sit and walk. Sexual intercourse is also very painful and thus it’s advisable to avoid sex in the occurrence of a cyst so that the condition doesn’t get worse. A woman can feel a cyst herself, or it can be detected by a gynaecologist in a routine gynaecological examination. In some cases, one of the symptoms is fever, but that occurs very rarely.

When to seek medical assistance?

It’s recommended that you consult your doctor if the condition doesn’t improve within a few days, but instead swelling only grows larger. If swelling is very painful and prevents you from performing your everyday activities and a suspicious discharge occurs, an abscess needs to be cleared. You have to see your doctor immediately if pain and discharge are accompanied by fever and vomiting as symptoms. It’s advisable that you seek professional care even for the pain itself.

How to prevent the development of Bartolin’s cyst and how to take care of yourself at home?

In principle, you can’t prevent a cyst from developing, but you can reduce the risks of its development by having safe sex, since sometimes it’s caused by the bacteria (organisms) that cause sexually transmitted diseases. A home-made remedy for Bartolin’s cyst is a hot bath lasting 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day. Water should be moderately hot and not too hot. In the case of a pus-like discharge, an abscess needs to be cleared, which is normally performed by the doctor.

Treatment is, in principle, a simple procedure

If a cyst is small in size, there’s no need for treatment besides hot baths, since it gradually disappears. If you have a painful and infected cyst, your doctor or gynaecologist will clear the abscess under local anaesthetic. The surgeon may also perform an operation called marsupialisation, which prevents the recurrence of a cyst. After the operation, an incision is stitched so as to leave a small opening for fluid to drain out. The opening gradually becomes smaller and is no longer visible after two months. Sometimes you also have to take antibiotics. It’s also recommended that you abstain from sex for 6 weeks so that the wound can heal properly.