Cyst mainly affects both men and women. It occurs due to blockage in bartholin glands. This leads to discomfort, swelling and pain as the common symptoms. The treatment is most essential for the patients if it gets severe. A healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic or perform surgical draining. If any treatment does not work well, then removal of gland is best in rare cases.

Mild cysts are managed on their own. They are painless and do not require any surgical treatment. People can use home remedies such as ice packs, soaking etc.

What are Bartholin Glands?

They are mucus-secreting glands positioned between the vagina and the vulva. The main function of these organs is to secrete fluid for vaginal lubrication. They are also known as major vestibular glands and most important for the female reproductive system.

A cyst can form when the gland gets blocked due to thick mucus or swelling. It becomes problematic for patients because more fluids are made from this organ during sexual activity.

Symptoms

A small and non-infected cyst may not be noticeable in patients. The lump or mass occurs near the vaginal opening due to the cyst’s growth and development.

This health condition leads to full-blown infection in which a patient may experience different symptoms. These are as follows:

An occurrence of a small and painless lump near the vaginal opening may be unnoticeable and can have different size variations.
It causes pain or discomfort due to infection. This troubles a patient in walking, sitting and during sexual activity.
A pus (abscess) can occur from cyst infection, which leads to redness and swelling near the vaginal opening and raises fever at a high temperature. In this condition, people feel uncomfortable and find difficulty in movement. This issue develops at one side of vagina only.

Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of this health problem are as follows:

Gland duct Blockage or Obstruction: An inflammation, infection or trauma cause a blockage in the gland that leads to formation of cysts in patients.
Changes in Hormone: A gland’s function gets impacted due to fluctuations in hormone level during pregnancy, menstruation or menopause. This leads to cyst formation and creates health issues in patients.
Chronic Inflammation: The growth and development of cysts causes inflammation in the genital area, which can be harmful for individuals.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A risk becomes higher and influences Bartholin’s gland due to occurrence of inflammation in the pelvic organs.
Poor hygiene: It leads to cyst formation when a risk of infection may increase.
Sex: A friction or trauma may occur due to growth and development of cyst in the gland during sexual activity or practices.

Diagnosis

The health condition can be diagnosed are as follows:

Symptoms Discussion

A doctor may ask about the lump appearance with its size and location and when did you notice first. The redness, swelling or trouble in walking or sitting may also be discussed before the surgical process.

Medical History

The history can be reviewed by your provider before surgery. This includes several issues such as sexually transmitted infections, formation of cysts in the past etc.

Pelvic Examination

A doctor examines the vagina and the vulva through a pelvic examination to check the cyst location and its size. The tenderness or inflammation can be identified in the area during surgery.

Swab Test

A sample of vaginal fluid can be collected from the cyst or cervix for the identification of sexually transmitted infections. This diagnostic test is also useful for bacterial inspection.

Aspiration

A thin needle might be used for the analysis of the collection of fluid in a small amount. This process is applicable when a cyst becomes large or appears to be infected. This helps to determine that a cyst is containing infection if it is simply filled with fluid or containing pus.

Treatment

Cyst symptoms can be treated in the following ways:

Sitz bath: A bathtub can be filled with warm water while taking a bath. After filling, an individual can sit for 15 to 20 minutes. It not only encourages cyst drainage but is also helpful for symptom alleviation.
Warm compress: It can be applied on the affected area for drainage promotion and pain-relieving. This method is simple and non-invasive, which is mainly suitable for small and uncomplicated cysts in individuals.
Antibiotic medicines: They can be prescribed for patients with sexually transmitted infection.
Catheter insertion: After drainage, a small rubber tube known as word catheter is to be inserted into the cyst. A permanent opening can be formed when it gets inflated and left in place for at least four weeks.
Incision And drainage: The minor surgical operation might be performed for cyst drainage and pain-relieving symptoms. It can be recommended when cysts become infected or cause significant discomfort in patients.
Marsupialization: A doctor can make a small cut in the cyst and places stitches on each side for permanent drainage. This approach can be applicable for large or recurring cysts. A general or local anesthesia is mainly used to perform this surgery.
Surgical removal: It can be performed under local anesthesia, which involves the removal of Bartholin’s gland with an adjacent cyst. This procedure is necessary if other treatments failed to manage cyst symptoms in patients.