Where is bartholin cyst

Doctors can usually tell whether it is infected by its appearance. If a discharge is present, doctors may send a sample to be tested for other infections, including sexually transmitted diseases. If an abscess has developed, doctors also culture fluid from the abscess. Because cancer of the vulva sometimes resembles a cyst, doctors may remove the cyst to examine under a microscope biopsy , especially if the woman is over If a Bartholin gland cyst causes little or no pain, women under 40 may treat it themselves.

They can use a sitz bath or soak in a few inches of warm water in a tub. Soaks should last 10 to 15 minutes and be done 3 or 4 times a day. Sometimes cysts disappear after a few days of such treatment. If the treatment is ineffective, women should see a doctor.

In women under 40, only cysts that cause symptoms require treatment. Draining the cysts is usually ineffective because they commonly recur. Thus, if fluids refill the cyst, they can drain out. After a local anesthetic is injected to numb the site, one of the following procedures can be done:. Placement of a catheter: A small incision is made in the cyst so that a small balloon-tipped tube catheter can be inserted into the cyst.

Once in place, the balloon is inflated, and the catheter is left there for 4 to 6 weeks, so that a permanent opening can form. Women can do their normal activities while the catheter is in place, although sexual intercourse may be uncomfortable.

Marsupialization: Doctors make a small cut in the cyst and stitch the inside edges of the cyst to the surface of the vulva. Marsupialization creates a permanent opening in the cyst so that the cyst can drain as needed. This procedure is done in an outpatient operating room. Sometimes general anesthesia is needed. After these procedures, women may have a discharge for a few weeks. Usually, wearing panty liners is all that is needed. Taking sitz baths several times a day may help relieve any discomfort and help speed healing.

In women aged 40 or older, all Bartholin gland cysts must be treated, except for those that have been present for years and have not changed in appearance. For an abscess, initial treatment involves making a small incision into the abscess to drain it. If the abscess refills after being drained, marsupialization, which creates a permanent opening, may be done to prevent the abscess from refilling.

Rarely, initial treatment involves insertion of a catheter into the abscess to drain it or marsupialization. If the cyst does cause symptoms, seek treatment. Sitting in a warm bath a few times per day or applying a moist, warm compress can encourage the fluid to drain from the cyst.

In many cases, home care may be enough to treat the cyst. If the cyst is painful, you can take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen Tylenol to reduce pain and discomfort. If the cyst becomes infected, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics.

Using a condom or other barrier method during sex and practicing good hygiene may help prevent the cyst from becoming infected. Recurring infections may need more intensive treatment.

See your doctor for treatment if infections do recur. They may need to perform a biopsy to determine whether the cells are cancerous.

A cyst may form if…. The Bartholin glands are a pair of glands, near the opening of the vagina. If a duct from one of the gland gets blocked, fluids can build up…. Here's what to expect from this procedure.

Cysts and abscesses may look alike, but because they have different causes, they require different treatments. Learn what the differences are between….

If these do not work, several treatments are available to treat the pain and any infection. If necessary, the cyst can be drained. Most of these treatments involve a minor surgical procedure. A Bartholin's cyst usually affects sexually active women aged between 20 and Bartholin's cysts do not usually affect children because the Bartholin's glands do not start functioning until puberty.

The cysts are also uncommon after the menopause as this usually causes the Bartholin's glands to shrink. It's not clear exactly why Bartholin's cysts develop, so it's not usually possible to prevent them. But as some are thought to be linked to STIs, practising safe sex using a condom every time you have sex can help reduce your chances of one developing. Page last reviewed: 23 July Next review due: 23 July Overview - Bartholin's cyst Contents Overview Treatment.

Symptoms of a Bartholin's cyst You may feel a soft, painless lump. When to see a GP Small Bartholin's cysts are sometimes only found during a routine cervical screening test or an examination carried out for another reason. What causes Bartholin's cysts?