Bartholin Cyst

What is a Bartholin Cyst?

A Bartholin’s cyst occurs when the duct found in the Bartholin’s gland is blocked.  When this happens, a fluid filled cyst develops. Sometimes the cyst might be caused by an infection, but it is not exactly an infection. The Bartholin’s glands, known as major vestibular glands are a pair of glands that are located between the vagina and the vulva.

Picture of Bartholin cyst

Functions of the Bartholin glands

The main purpose of the glands is to produce lubrication after stimulation. Together with the vestibular glands, the Bartholin glands help in sexual intercourse by decreasing friction. The lubrication produced goes from the Bartholin’s glands ducts into the lower entrance of the vagina.  The tubes are 0.8 inches long.

When a blockage happens in the ducts, the lubrication accumulates, making the tubes expand, and the result is a Bartholin’s cyst. When someone gets the cyst, the chances of getting an infection in the area are high, and an abscess can also develop. According to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, the condition affects about 1 in every 50 British women.

Who can get a Bartholin’s Gland Cyst?

Any woman is at risk of getting the cyst. However, the condition is common in women who are still in their reproductive age. Ladies who are aged 20 to 29 are the most affected.  Women who have not yet become pregnant or have had one pregnancy are also prone to the disease.

Bartholin cyst Symptoms

Women who have small and non-infected Bartholin’s cyst might not notice them.  When the cyst grows bigger, the patient starts feeling a lump or a big mass close to their vaginal opening. Most of the time these cysts are painless, but they can be tender. However, a full blown Bartholin cyst infection can develop in just a matter of days.  When the cyst becomes infected, the patient will experience the following:

• A tender and sometimes very painful lump close to  the vaginal opening
• A lot of discomforts when the patient is sitting and walking.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Unexplained fever.
• Most of the time, the cyst occurs on only one side in the vaginal openings.

When to see a doctor

It is crucial for women to look out for any growths on their private parts. When they notice a painful lump that doesn’t go away in a day or two, it is crucial to consult a doctor.  The patient can try some self-care for a day like soaking the area in warm water.  If the pain doesn’t go away, the individual should visit the doctor immediately.

Women who are more than 40 years should visit the doctor immediately if they notice a lump near their vaginal opening.  Although lumps are very rare at that age, they can be a sign of a dangerous condition such as cancer.

Size of a Bartholin cyst

Cysts have different sizes. They can be as small as a lentil and as big as a golf ball.

Causes of Bartholin cyst

Research shows that the course of the Bartholin cysts is an accumulation of lubrication fluid. This generally happens when the glands become obstructed. The obstruction may be caused by an infection or an injury.

Sometimes the cyst might become infected, forming an abscess. Several bacteria can trigger the infection such an Escherichia coli. The bacteria responsible for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can also trigger the growth of the cyst.

Preparing for your appointment

After you have noticed any painful lump in the vagina, it is important to call your doctor for an appointment. Your first appointment should be made with a qualified medical provider who specializes in women’s reproductive system. Here are some of the things a patient can do prepare for the appointment.

• Ensure that you have written down all the symptoms you are experiencing, even if they are not related to the condition.
• If you are taking any supplements, vitamins or any medication, write them down, along with the dosage.
• You should have a notebook while going to the checkup so that you can write down important information during the checkup.
• If you have anything that you would need to ask your doctor; it is important to list them down so that you do not forget any of them.

If you suspect a cyst, here are some of the possible questions you should ask your doctor.

• What is causing the symptoms?
• Are there any tests that I require?
• Will the cyst disappear on its own or will I need some treatment?
• After the treatment, how long will I wait before resuming my sex life?
• Are there some home care treatments to manage the symptoms?
• After the treatment, is there a possibility of getting the cysts back?
• Do you have some printed material about the condition that I can take home? What websites can I get information about my condition?

During your visit to the doctor, ensure that you have given the doctor all the information you have so that you can get the right diagnosis. Do not leave the appointment without getting the information you need.

What to expect from your doctor

During your appointment, the doctor must ask some questions too so that they know what you are suffering from.  Here are some of the questions you should expect during the appointment:

• For how long have you had the symptoms?
• Do you experience any pain during sexual intercourse?
• How severe are the symptoms you have?
• During your normal daily activities, do you get any pain?
• Is there anything that improves the symptoms?
• Are their activities that make the condition worse?

Tests and Diagnosis

To accurately diagnose a Bartholin’s cyst, the doctor might do the following:

• Ask important questions about your medical history.
• Conduct a pelvic examination.
• Get samples of your secretions from the cervix or the vagina to check for any sexually transmitted infections.
• If you are over 40 years, the doctor will recommend a biopsy to rule out the presence of cancer cells in the lump.

If the physician suspects the presence of cancer cells, you will be referred to a gynecologist who deals with cancer for special treatment.

Bartholin cyst Treatment

Most of the time, a Bartholin’s cyst doesn’t require any treatment, especially when you are not experiencing any symptoms. However, in cases where treatment is required, it will depend on the size of the lump, whether it’s infected and the comfort level of the patient.  If the cyst is infected, treatment should be done immediately to avoid the formation of an abscess.

Some of the treatment options the doctor may recommend are:

Sitz baths

The patient can soak the affected area with warm salt water several times a day. This treatment is very effective, and in two or three days, the cysts will rupture and drain on its own.

Surgical drainage

If the cyst is too large and infected, the doctor might consider performing surgery to remove the fluid. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. The doctor will them make a tiny incision on the cyst, allowing the fluid to drain. A small rubber tube can also be inserted to help drain the fluid.  The catheter can be left after the surgery to help keep the incision open and allow complete drainage.

Antibiotics

If the doctor determines that the cyst is infected, or the patient has a sexually transmitted infection, a dose of antibiotics will be prescribed. However, if the cyst is drained well, the patient doesn’t require the antibiotics. .

Marsupialization

Sometimes, the cyst might keep reoccurring, and the doctor might recommend a marsupialization. The procedure involves placing stitches on the sides of the drainage incision and creates a permanent opening. The small opening shouldn’t be more than 6 millimeters. A catheter can also be inserted to drain the fluid for a few days.

There are some rare and persistent cysts that cannot be treated by the above procedures. In such cases, the doctor will recommend surgery to remove the glands completely. The removal is done at the hospital under general anesthesia. This procedure is riskier, and a qualified doctor should do it. The patient can bleed a lot or get other complications during the surgery.

Home Remedies for Bartholin cyst

Treating a Bartholin cyst with simple home remedies is possible. The patient can soak the affected the area in warm water 3 or four times every day.  The infected cyst will rupture and drain on its own. After the patient has been treated, soaking in warm salty water will also be necessary.  This will help the area to heal fast and ensure that the area remains drained properly.  The warm salty water will also ease the discomfort experienced after surgery.  The patient can also take painkillers to get rid of the pain.

Prevention

Experts say that a Bartholin’s cyst cannot be prevented. However, women are advised to practice safe sex always using a condom and maintain good hygiene to help prevent infections that can cause a cyst or the formation of an abscess.