See Your Gynecologist For Diagnosis And Treatment Of A Bartholin's Cyst
If you've noticed a lump around the end of your vagina, see your gynecologist for a diagnosis of whether the bump is painful or not. A common cause for this condition is a Bartholin's cyst. The cyst usually isn't serious unless it becomes infected and painful.
The Bartholin's glands create a fluid that lubricates your vagina. If a tube is blocked, fluid backs up and creates a bump or cyst. The treatment depends on your level of pain and infection and whether you have problems with chronic cysts. Here's a look at what your gynecologist might recommend if you're diagnosed with a Bartholin's cyst.
Warm Baths Or Sitz Baths
Your gynecologist might recommend sitting in a small amount of bathwater a few times a day so you can soak the cyst. This might help the cyst rupture so the fluid can drain out. You can do this in your bathtub or buy a sitz bath basin designed for soaking your pelvic floor so you don't have to get the rest of your body wet. An alternative is to hold a warm compress against the cyst frequently throughout the day to help the cyst rupture and drain.
Antibiotics
If your cyst shows signs of infection, your gynecologist might prescribe antibiotics. Symptoms you might have with an infection include pain, pus drainage, chills, or fever. If you develop these symptoms and your gynecologist isn't aware of them, be sure to call and let the doctor know so your infection can be treated.
Bartholin's cysts don't always get infected. If yours doesn't and it doesn't cause pain, you might not need any treatment at all, including antibiotics.
Drain the Cyst
If your cyst is painful and it won't drain with home treatments, the doctor may need to drain the cyst manually. The area is numbed first and then the doctor makes a small incision to allow the cyst to drain. They may also insert a small catheter and leave it in place to allow the cyst to drain over a period of weeks until it has healed.
Remove The Gland
It's not common, but if you have problems with infections that keep coming back, the gynecologist might recommend surgery to remove your Bartholin's gland. This is usually an outpatient procedure, and you might have general anesthesia. The doctor makes an incision near the gland so that the gland can be removed completely. You might need stitches to close the surgical area.
With the gland fully removed, the infection and cyst can't return. Since you have other glands that help with lubrication, the removal of one Bartholin's gland shouldn't result in significant loss of vaginal lubrication, but you may want to discuss this issue with your gynecologist before surgery.
Speak to a gynecologist to learn more.