Cyst of bartholin's

Description

The Bartholin's (BAHR-toe-linz) glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete a fluid that helps lubricate the vagina.

Sometimes the openings of these glands become obstructed, causing fluid to back up into the gland. The result is relatively painless swelling called a cyst of Bartholin. If the fluid within the cyst becomes infected, you may develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess).

A Bartholin cyst or abscess is common. The treatment of a cyst of Bartholin depends on the size of the cyst, how painful the cyst is and whether the cyst is infected.

Sometimes home treatment is all that you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the cyst of Bartholin's necessary. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be useful to treat the infected Bartholin cyst.

Symptoms

If you have a small, non infected Bartholin cyst, you may not notice it. If the cyst grows, you may feel a lump or mass near the vaginal opening. Although the cyst is usually painless, you may be sensitive to.

A complete editor for the infection of a cyst of Bartholin can occur in a matter of days. If the cyst becomes infected, you may experience:

  • A tender, painful lump near the vaginal opening
  • Discomfort when walking or sitting
  • Pain during intercourse.
  • Fever

A Bartholin cyst or abscess usually occurs only on one side of the vaginal opening.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you have a painful lump near the opening of the vagina that does not improve after two or three days of self-care — for example, soak in warm water (sitz bath). If the pain is severe, make an appointment with your doctor right away.

Also call your doctor right away if you find a new lump near the opening of the vagina, and you're older than 40 years. But in rare cases, a tumor may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as cancer.

Causes

Experts believe that the cause of a cyst of Bartholin is a backup of fluid. The fluid may accumulate when the opening of the gland (duct) is obstructed, perhaps caused by an infection or injury.

A cyst of Bartholin can become infected, forming an abscess. A number of bacteria can cause the infection, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Complications

A Bartholin cyst or abscess can occur again and again require treatment.

Prevention

There is No way to prevent a cyst of Bartholin. However, the safe-sex practices — in particular, the use of condoms and poor hygiene habits can help prevent the infection of a cyst and the formation of an abscess.

Cyst of bartholin's

Diagnosis

To diagnose a cyst of Bartholin, your doctor may:

  • Ask questions about your medical history
  • Perform a pelvic exam
  • Take a sample of secretions from your vagina or cervix to test for a sexually transmitted infection
  • We recommend a test of the mass (biopsy) to check if there are cancer cells if you're postmenopausal or over 40

If cancer is a concern, your doctor may refer you to a gynecologist who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system.

Treatment

Often a cyst of Bartholin does not require treatment, especially if the cyst causes no signs or symptoms. When necessary, the treatment depends on the size of the cyst, your level of discomfort, and if it is infected, which can lead to an abscess.

Treatment options your doctor may recommend are:

  • Sitz baths. Soaking in a tub filled with a few inches of warm water (sitz bath) several times a day for three or four days can help a small cyst infected to rupture and drain.
  • Surgical drainage.You may need surgery to drain a cyst infected or very large. The drainage of a cyst can be done with local anesthesia or sedation. For the procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the cyst, allows you to drain, and then place a small rubber tube (catheter) into the incision. The catheter stays in place for up to six weeks to keep the incision open and allow for complete drainage.
  • Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if the cyst is infected or if tests show that you have a sexually transmitted infection. But if the abscess is drained properly, you may not need antibiotics.
  • Marsupialization. If the cysts are repeated or that annoying, a marsupialization (mahr-soo-pee-ul-ih-ZAY-shun) procedure can help. The doctor put stitches on each side of a drainage from the incision site to create a permanent opening of less than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters) long. The insertion of a catheter can be placed to promote the drainage of a couple of days after the procedure and to help prevent recurrence.

Surgical drainage. You may need surgery to drain a cyst infected or very large. The drainage of a cyst can be done with local anesthesia or sedation.

For the procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the cyst, allows you to drain, and then place a small rubber tube (catheter) into the incision. The catheter stays in place for up to six weeks to keep the incision open and allow for complete drainage.

Rarely, for persistent cysts that are not effectively treated by the above procedures, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the Bartholin's gland. Surgical removal is usually done in a hospital under general anesthesia. The surgical removal of the gland leads to an increased risk of bleeding or complications after the procedure.

Self-care

Journal of soaking in warm water several times a day can be enough to resolve an infected Bartholin cyst or abscess.

After a surgical procedure for the treatment of an infected cyst or abscess, soak in warm water is particularly important. Sitz baths help to keep the area clean, relieve discomfort and promote the effectiveness of the drainage of the cyst. Pain relievers may also be useful.

Preparing for your appointment

Your first appointment will probably be with your primary care provider or a doctor that specializes in diseases that affect women (gynecologist).

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment:

  • Write down your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to your condition.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you take, along with the dose.
  • Take a notebook or notepad with you to write down information during your visit.
  • Prepare questions to ask your doctor, listing the most important questions first to make sure the cover.

For a cyst of Bartholin, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests might I need?
  • Will the cyst goes away on its own, or will I need treatment?
  • How long should I wait after treatment before having sex?
  • What self-care measures can help relieve my symptoms?
  • Will the cyst come again?
  • Do you have any printed material or brochures that they can take home with me? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment, as it will happen.

What to expect from your doctor

Some possible questions that your doctor may ask include:

  • How long have you had symptoms?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Do you experience pain during sex?
  • Do you experience pain during normal daily activities?
  • Is there something to improve your symptoms?
  • Does anything make your symptoms worse?
Symptoms and treatment of cyst of Bartholin