Which gland helps to secrete mucus that lubricates the vagina?

This is an automatically translated article.

Bartholin's glands are two small organs under the skin in the female genital area. They are located on either side of the folds of skin (labia), which surround the vagina. This is a gland that helps secrete mucus that lubricates the vagina and vulva. Most of the time, you cannot feel or see these glands.

1. Where is the Bartholin gland located?

Bartholin's glands (or larger vestibular glands) are important organs of the female reproductive system, located in the vulvar vestibule, either side of the external opening of the vagina. Bartholin's glands are similar to the bulb's (Cowper's) glands in men.

2. Structure and function of the Bartholin's gland

The main function of the Bartholin's glands is to produce mucus that lubricates the vagina and vulva, thereby making sex more pleasurable.
Bartholin glands are active after dysmenorrhea and are not palpable. Each gland is oval in shape and has an average size of 0.5 cm. A 2 cm long duct connects each gland to the back of the vaginal opening (between the hymen and the labia).

3. Embryology

During embryogenesis, the urogenital sinus produces Bartholin's glands, the lower part of the vagina, and most of its epithelium. The body of each Bartholin gland is composed of mucosal acini lined by simple columnar epithelium. Their ducts are composed of transitional epithelium, which coalesces into squamous epithelium as the stomas open into the vagina.

4. Bartholin's gland cyst

When a Bartholin cyst is large or infected, you may experience pain at the site of the cyst. Sex and even walking can further damage the condition. If the cyst is large, it can cause one side of the labia to hang lower than the other.
Symptoms of an infected Bartholin's gland cyst include:
Fever and chills. The pain gets worse and makes it hard for you to walk, sit, or move around. Swelling in the area. Drainage from the cyst. Doctors aren't sure what causes the blockage of the Bartholin's gland. Although the infection that causes the cyst can be caused by the bacteria E. coli . In rare cases, it can be caused by bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like gonorrhea or chlamydia.
About two out of 10 women may develop a Bartholin's gland cyst at some point. It usually happens in your 20s. They are less likely to grow as you age.
To diagnose a Bartholin's gland cyst, your doctor will do a pelvic exam. If you have discharge, your doctor will take a sample and look at it under a microscope to determine if you have an STI. If you have an abscess, they will take a sample from there and send it to a lab.
In case you are over 40 years old, they may do a biopsy (take a tissue sample from the cyst) to rule out vulvar cancer. It's a disease that affects the lips that surround your vagina.

5. Bartholin's gland cyst treatment

If the exam shows you have an STI or an infected cyst, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. They may also prescribe topical medication for you. If you're under 40 and the cyst isn't causing problems, you may not need treatment.
A spot bath can help the cyst go away on its own:
Fill the tub with 3 to 4 inches of water (enough to cover the vulva) and gently sit down. Do this several times in 3-4 days. The cyst may rupture and dissolve on its own. If a Bartholin's gland cyst is causing problems or if it turns into an abscess, you'll need to see your doctor. They will treat it in one of three ways:
Surgical drainage: The doctor will make a small cut in the cyst, then insert a small rubber tube (catheter) into the hole to allow the tube to drain. It can stay in place for up to 6 weeks. You'll feel better once the fluid clears up, but you may need to take pain medication for a few days afterward. Keep in mind that Bartholin gland cysts or abscesses may recur and require re-treatment. Side effects include pain or discomfort, especially during sex. You may also experience swelling of the labia (lips around the vagina), infection, bleeding, or scarring. Marsupialization: If the cyst bothers you or comes back, this method may help. The doctor will cut open the cyst, then stitch the skin around it to form a small pocket. This helps the liquid to drain out. The doctor will cover with special gauze to absorb the fluid and blood. The process takes less than half an hour and you can go home the same day. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication afterward. However, this method also carries a risk of infection, bleeding, and recurrent abscesses. Bartholin Glandectomy: Your doctor may recommend this method if other treatments have not worked or if Bartholin's cysts and abscesses recur. This surgery takes about an hour, you will be under anesthesia during the procedure. Possible problems after surgery include bleeding, bruising, and infection. In a nutshell, the Bartholin's glands are two mucus-secreting organs that lubricate the vagina and vulva, supporting a smooth sexual intercourse. However, they can cause cysts, make you uncomfortable, and affect your daily life. Therefore, if you have unusual symptoms, you should see a doctor for timely treatment.
With the desire to bring special care services for women, Vinmec International General Hospital has now been implementing a package of examination, package of basic gynecological examination and screening. With this package, gynecological diseases will be detected and promptly consulted by a specialist. Besides, the examination package also helps to screen and detect cervical cancer early.
Especially, the package of gynecological examination and screening at Vinmec is trusted by many customers with many outstanding advantages such as: Specialist doctors are trained and work in professional environments; equipment, separate clinic meeting 5-star standards, ensuring privacy and security for customers; Every patient is meticulously analyzed and evaluated for their pathology to come to the most accurate conclusions under absolute confidentiality regarding privacy.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.