What is a Bartholin cyst and is it dangerous?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Doctor Phan Diem Doan Ngoc - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Bartholine gland cyst is a common gynecological disease in women of reproductive age. Whether a Bartholine cyst is dangerous depends on the size of the cyst, the degree of pain and whether the cysts are infected, in addition to the possibility of recurrence and the differential diagnosis to have a treatment plan. right mind.

1. What is a Bartholin's cyst?

Bartholine cysts or Bartholine gland inflammation are cystic lesions of the Bartholine glands. These glands are located on each side of the vulva (the outer area of ​​the vagina). The function of the Bartholine glands is to secrete fluid into the labia majora to keep it moist and lubricated during intercourse.
Sometimes the ducts become blocked, causing fluid to back up into the gland, resulting in the formation of a thin-walled, swollen, painless cyst called a Bartholine cyst. If the fluid in the cyst becomes infected, there is a risk of a discharge of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess).
Bartholine cyst and Bartholine abscess are quite common pathologies. A Bartholine cyst is dangerous regardless of the size of the cyst, how painful it is, and whether the cyst is infected. These are also the criteria for the doctor to choose the treatment plan, after having an accurate diagnosis.
Sometimes patients just need to treat at home according to the doctor's instructions. However, in some more severe cases, the treating doctor may consider surgical drainage of Bartholine cysts. If an infection occurs, the treatment option may include the addition of antibiotics.

2. Are Bartholin cysts dangerous?

If you have a small, uninfected Bartholine cyst, you may not notice any symptoms. If the cyst progresses, the patient begins to feel a lump appearing near the vagina. Most cases of Bartholine cysts are painless. Whether a Bartholine cyst is dangerous depends on the size of the cyst, how painful it is, and whether the cysts are infected. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the possibility of recurrence and the differential diagnosis to have a proper management plan.
Severe cases of Bartholine cyst infection can progress in a few days. If an infection is present, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
A painful, painful lump near the vagina; Discomfort when walking or sitting; Pain during intercourse; Fever. Bartholine cysts or abscesses usually occur on only one side of the vulva.
Patients should see a doctor if a painful lump near the vagina does not improve after 2 to 3 days of self-care, for example, soaking in warm water. If you find a lump near your vagina and you are over 40 years old, you should see a doctor. Although rare, such lumps can be a sign of serious problems, such as cancer. If the pain becomes more severe, see your doctor as soon as possible.

3. What causes Bartholin's cyst?

Bartholine cysts are caused by a blockage of vaginal secretions. Fluid can build up when a duct becomes blocked, from an infection or injury.
Bartholine cysts can lead to infection, forming an abscess. Certain bacteria are the cause of infections, notably Escherichia coli, and bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

4. Diagnosis of Bartholin's cyst

To diagnose a Bartholine cyst, the doctor may:
Ask the patient's medical history; Perform gynecological examination; Take a sample of discharge from the vagina or cervix to check for STIs; A biopsy is recommended to screen for cancer cells if the patient is postmenopausal or over 40 years of age.

5. Treatment of Bartholin's cyst

Usually, Bartholine cysts do not require treatment, especially if the gland inflammation is asymptomatic. When needed, treatment depends on the size of the cyst, the extent of its involvement, and whether there is an infection (which can lead to an abscess).
Treatment options for Bartholine's gland inflammation include:
Warm baths: Soaking in a tub of warm water several times a day for three or four days can help small infected cysts burst and go away on their own. ; Surgical drainage: Patients may need surgery to drain an infected cyst or very large cyst with the help of an anesthetic or analgesia procedure. For surgery, your doctor will make a small incision in the cyst, allow the fluid inside to drain, and then place a small rubber tube (catheter) at the surgical site. The catheter is kept for up to 6 weeks afterwards to keep the incision open, allowing complete drainage; Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if a patient's cyst becomes infected or if test results show a sexually transmitted infection. However, if the abscess is properly drained, antibiotics may not be needed; Catheterization method: If the cyst recurs or has a significant impact on quality of life, cystectomy may be indicated. The doctor will create a permanent opening about 6mm long to drain fluid from the Bartholine gland cyst. A catheter is added for several days after surgery to promote drainage and help prevent recurrence.

In rare cases, for persistent Bartholine cysts that do not get better with the above measures, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the Bartholine gland. This surgery is usually performed in a hospital operating room after the patient is under general anesthesia. Surgical removal of the Bartholine gland can lead to bleeding or other complications at a higher rate than conventional methods.

6. Home Remedies

Patients can overcome Bartholine cysts by bathing in a warm bath daily, which helps limit infection or abscess.
After surgery, to treat infected cysts or abscesses, soaking in warm water is especially important. This method helps keep the vulvar area clean, relieves discomfort, and promotes efficient drainage of fluid from the cyst. Pain medication may be needed if the patient is unable to control the pain.
Currently there is no way to prevent Bartholine cysts. However, women can actively prevent their risk by practicing safe sex, using protection (such as condoms), and maintaining good hygiene habits. This will help prevent the cyst from becoming infected and prevent an abscess from forming.
In order to help customers detect and treat gynecological diseases early, Vinmec International General Hospital has a package of basic gynecological examination and screening, helping customers detect early infectious diseases and help treat Easy, inexpensive treatment. Screening detects gynecological cancer (cervical cancer) early even when there are no symptoms.
Basic gynecological examination and screening package for female customers, has no age limit and may have the following symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding Having menstrual problems: irregular menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycle Irregular vaginal discharge (smell, different color) Vaginal pain and itching Female clients have several risk factors such as poor personal hygiene, Unsafe sex, abortion,... Female customers have other symptoms such as: Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, pain in the private area, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

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Reference source: mayoclinic.org