Bartholin Cyst Causes, Treatments and More

By stephan

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Bartholin's Gland Cyst: Causes & Treatment,' Familydoctor.org Staff. https://familydoctor.org/condition/bartholins-gland-cyst/
• 2. 'Bartholin's Cyst,' https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bartholin-cyst/symptoms-causes/syc-20369976.
• 3. 'Bartholin's Cyst,' https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bartholins-cyst/
• 4. 'Bartholin Gland Cyst,' https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tw2685
• 5. Omole, Folashade; Simmons, Barbara; Hacker,Yolanda. 'Management Of Bartholin's Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess,' American Family Physician, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0701/p135.html

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Bartholin's glands are minuscule glands located on each side of the vagina near its opening along the labia. They secrete lubricating fluids and are normally invisible and undetectable to touch. Sometimes these glands become clogged by obstructions, and the fluid produced by them can back up to cause swelling that's then called a Bartholin's cyst.¹‘Bartholin’s Gland Cyst: Causes & Treatment,’ Familydoctor.org Staff. https://familydoctor.org/condition/bartholins-gland-cyst/

Normally, Bartholin's cysts aren't painful and tend to start off small, being no bigger than a pea. However, they can grow considerably and become painfully infected or turn into an abscess. Although Bartholin's cysts are quite common, they're usually highly treatable.¹‘Bartholin’s Gland Cyst: Causes & Treatment,’ Familydoctor.org Staff. https://familydoctor.org/condition/bartholins-gland-cyst/^,2‘Bartholin’s Cyst,’ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bartholin-cyst/symptoms-causes/syc-20369976.

1. Symptoms

A Bartholin's cyst usually first presents itself as a small, painless, soft lump that can stay that way without growing much or causing further problems. However, it can become tender and, in some cases, very rapidly grow until it infects and becomes painful.

This process can occur in just days and turn the formerly small lump into a much bigger one that causes considerable discomfort during sexual intercourse or even with normal movements like running, walking and sitting. This usually means the cyst has turned into an abscess.²‘Bartholin’s Cyst,’ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bartholin-cyst/symptoms-causes/syc-20369976.^,3‘Bartholin’s Cyst,’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bartholins-cyst/