What is Bartholin’s cyst?
On every side of vaginal opening, bartholin’s glands are positioned. Bartholin’s glands are responsible for secreting a fluid which helps to lubricate your vagina. At times, the gland’s opening can become blocked; as a result, the fluid rolls back into it. Such triggers a painless swelling, known as Bartholin’s cyst.
Sometimes, the accumulated fluid inside the cyst can turn infected, causing pus around the abscess (inflamed tissue). Moreover, Bartholin’s abscess or cyst is quite common. Its treatment depends upon the pain, cyst’s size and whether it is infected.
At times, home remedies can work brilliantly, however in some cases; Bartholin’s cyst would need surgical drainage. In case of infection, the doctor can suggest antibiotics.
What are the symptoms of Bartholin’s cyst?
Non-infectious and small cyst may go unnoticed, however if it tends to grow, one can notice a mass or lump close to vaginal opening. Usually the cyst is painless and tender. In case of infected cyst, you can notice the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- Pain during sex.
- Discomfort while sitting or walking.
- A painful or tender lump close to your vaginal opening.
When is the high time to consult a doctor?
You must call up for an appointment in case you notice a lump close to your vagina opening that failed to improve even after 72 hours of self-care remedies, for example (sitz bath). In case you are above 40 years of age, or have extreme pain, immediately consult your doctor. Quite rarely, such lumps can signal a life-threatening problem, cancer!
What causes Bartholin’s cyts?
As per the experts, Bartholin’s cyst is caused when the fluid rolls back into Bartholin’s glands due to an obstacle in the gland’s opening (duct), such may cause the fluid to accumulate. Maybe, the blockage is due to an infection or growth of skin flap.
What are the possible complications of Bartholin’s cyst?
It is a persisting condition; abscesses can recur, needing treatment again.
How is bartholin’s cyst diagnosed?
In order to diagnose the condition, the doctor will:
- Need the medical history of the patient.
- Conduct a pelvic exam.
- Obtain a secretion’s sample from the cervix or vagina to examine for a STI (Sexually transmitted infection).
- Biopsy, in order to test for cancerous cells.
How is bartholin’s cyst treated?
Few treatment options include:
- Surgical drainage: large or infected cyst can be drained or treated by surgery.
- Sitz baths: infected, small cyst can be treated by sitz baths.
- Antibiotics: in case of a sexually transmitted infection or infected cyst, the doctor can recommend antibiotics.
- Marsupialization: in case the cysts bother you or recur, the procedure of marsupialization can help.
If the above mentioned treatment options failed treated persistent cysts, (which rarely happens), the doctor can suggest you to remove Bartholin’s gland through surgery.
Prevention:
Clearly, there is no way you can get prevented from the Bartholin’s cyst. However, good hygiene and performing protected sex, (using condom) can greatly help preventing the chances of infection and abscess formation.
By : Natural Health News
