Have you ever felt a small, painless lump near the opening of your vagina? Does it become more swollen or painful over time? If so, it could be a Bartholin’s cyst. Bartholin’s cysts are usually harmless, but if they become infected they can cause complications.
Infectious pathogens do not cause cyst formation, but they can infect the fluid within the Bartholin’s gland and cause an abscess.
Dr Tejal Deshmukh, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, explains to the OnlyMyHealth team what a Bartholin’s cyst actually is, what causes the condition to worsen, and how to treat it.
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What is a Bartholin’s gland cyst?
Typically, Bartholin’s glands are located on either side of the vaginal opening. They produce fluids that help lubricate the vagina. But when the ducts of these glands become blocked, fluid can build up and form cysts.
According to StatPearls Publishing, these conditions are highly prevalent in women of childbearing age, with their onset primarily reported at the onset of puberty and increasing with age until menopause.
As for the possible causes of Bartholin’s gland cysts, the Cleveland Clinic lists three factors:
- Vulva injury, inflammation, or excess skin growth.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- An infection caused by bacteria such as E. coli.
However, it is important to note that although Bartholin’s cysts cannot be transmitted sexually from person to person, they can be caused by gonorrhea.
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea, also known as gonococcal infection, is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the gonococcus bacteria. It can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat and often has no symptoms, but if symptoms do appear they may include painful or burning sensation when urinating, a discharge from the penis or vagina, and a sore throat.
How do you know if a Bartholin’s gland cyst is related to gonorrhea?
Bartholin’s cysts are usually painless and harmless, but if they become infected with the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, the affected area can become painful, swollen, red, and warm.
Dr Deshmukh said some telltale signs also include an abnormal yellow-green discharge, fever and problems urinating.
“Patients often develop painful swelling near the vagina, which causes discomfort and pain when walking or sitting. If infected, they may also experience fever and severe pain,” he added.
Read more: Vaginal health after giving birth: Changes to watch out for and tips to ease pain
How to treat Bartholin’s gland cysts
According to Dr. Deshmukh, treatment for Bartholin’s gland cysts usually begins with a conservative approach, with the recommended strategy being to “wait and see.”
He recommends taking a warm bath or applying a warm compress to the area, which he says can help ease discomfort and help the cyst drain naturally.
Moreover, if the cyst becomes infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and antipyretics to control the infection and reduce fever, he added. If the cyst persists and causes pain, a minor surgical procedure called incision and drainage may be required.
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