Do I Need to Go to Doctor Again for Bartholin Cyst

Overview

The Bartholin's (BAHR-toe-linz) glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina.

Sometimes the openings of these glands go obstructed, causing fluid to support into the gland. The result is relatively painless swelling called a Bartholin'southward cyst. If the fluid within the cyst becomes infected, you may develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess).

A Bartholin's cyst or abscess is mutual. Treatment of a Bartholin's cyst depends on the size of the cyst, how painful the cyst is and whether the cyst is infected.

Sometimes dwelling house treatment is all you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the Bartholin's cyst is necessary. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be helpful to treat the infected Bartholin'due south cyst.

The Bartholin's glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. They secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina. Sometimes the ducts of these glands become obstructed and fluid backs up, forming a cyst.

Symptoms

If you have a modest, noninfected Bartholin's cyst, y'all may not notice it. If the cyst grows, you might feel a lump or mass near your vaginal opening. Although a cyst is usually painless, it can be tender.

A full-blown infection of a Bartholin's cyst can occur in a matter of days. If the cyst becomes infected, you may experience:

• A tender, painful lump near the vaginal opening
• Discomfort while walking or sitting
• Pain during intercourse
• Fever

A Bartholin'southward cyst or abscess typically occurs on just one side of the vaginal opening.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if yous have a painful lump most the opening of your vagina that doesn't better subsequently ii or three days of self-intendance — for instance, soaking the expanse in warm water (sitz bathroom). If the pain is severe, brand an engagement with your doctor right away.

Also telephone call your physician promptly if you find a new lump most your vaginal opening and you're older than 40. Although rare, such a lump may exist a sign of a more than serious trouble, such as cancer.

Causes

Experts believe that the cause of a Bartholin's cyst is a backup of fluid. Fluid may accrue when the opening of the gland (duct) becomes obstructed, possibly caused by infection or injury.

A Bartholin'due south cyst can get infected, forming an abscess. A number of leaner may cause the infection, including Escherichia coli (Eastward. coli) and bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Complications

A Bartholin's cyst or abscess may recur and over again require treatment.

Prevention

There's no way to forbid a Bartholin's cyst. However, safer sex practices — in particular, using condoms — and good hygiene habits may help to prevent infection of a cyst and the formation of an abscess.

Diagnosis

To diagnose a Bartholin's cyst, your physician may:

• Inquire questions about your medical history
• Perform a pelvic exam
• Take a sample of secretions from your vagina or cervix to test for a sexually transmitted infection
• Recommend a test of the mass (biopsy) to cheque for cancerous cells if yous're postmenopausal or over 40

If cancer is a business concern, your dr. may refer you lot to a gynecologist who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system.

Handling

Often a Bartholin's cyst requires no treatment — peculiarly if the cyst causes no signs or symptoms. When needed, treatment depends on the size of the cyst, your discomfort level and whether it's infected, which can result in an abscess.

Treatment options your md may recommend include:

• Sitz baths. Soaking in a tub filled with a few inches of warm water (sitz bathroom) several times a day for three or four days may help a small, infected cyst to rupture and drain on its ain.

• Surgical drainage. You may need surgery to drain a cyst that's infected or very big. Drainage of a cyst can exist done using local anesthesia or sedation.

  For the procedure, your doctor makes a small-scale incision in the cyst, allows information technology to drain, and then places a minor condom tube (catheter) in the incision. The catheter stays in identify for up to six weeks to go along the incision open up and permit complete drainage.

• Antibiotics. Your medico may prescribe an antibiotic if your cyst is infected or if testing reveals that you lot have a sexually transmitted infection. But if the abscess is drained properly, you may not need antibiotics.
• Marsupialization. If cysts recur or bother you, a marsupialization (mahr-soo-pee-ul-ih-ZAY-shun) procedure may help. Your doctor places stitches on each side of a drainage incision to create a permanent opening less than 1/4-inch (about vi-millimeter) long. An inserted catheter may be placed to promote drainage for a few days afterwards the procedure and to help preclude recurrence.

Rarely, for persistent cysts that aren't finer treated by the above procedures, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the Bartholin'south gland. Surgical removal is normally done in a hospital nether general anesthesia. Surgical removal of the gland carries a greater risk of bleeding or complications after the procedure.

Lifestyle and abode remedies

Daily soaking in warm water, several times a 24-hour interval, may exist adequate to resolve an infected Bartholin'southward cyst or abscess.

After a surgical procedure to care for an infected cyst or abscess, soaking in warm water is peculiarly of import. Sitz baths help to keep the area make clean, ease discomfort and promote effective drainage of the cyst. Pain relievers too may be helpful.

Preparing for an appointment

Your first appointment volition probable be with either your primary care provider or a physician who specializes in conditions that affect women (gynecologist).

What yous can exercise

To fix for your appointment:

• Write downwardly your symptoms, including whatever that seem unrelated to your condition.
• Make a list of any medications, vitamins or supplements that you accept along with the dosages.
• Take a notebook or notepad with you to write downward information during your visit.
• Set questions to ask your doctor, listing the nigh of import questions starting time to exist sure y'all encompass them.

For a Bartholin'southward cyst, some basic questions to inquire include:

• What's likely causing my symptoms?
• What kind of tests might I demand?
• Will the cyst go away on its own, or volition I need treatment?
• How long should I wait after treatment earlier having sex?
• What self-care measures might help relieve my symptoms?
• Will the cyst come back once more?
• Do you have any printed material or brochures I tin can have home with me? What websites do yous recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment as they occur to yous.

What to expect from your doc

Some potential questions your doctor might ask include:

• How long have you had symptoms?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Do you experience hurting during sex activity?
• Do you lot experience hurting during normal daily activities?
• Does anything improve your symptoms?
• Does anything make your symptoms worse?

© 2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use

carranzatwongive.blogspot.com

Source: https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/bartholin-s-cyst

Share this post