Bartholin's Gland Cysts - Picture, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Bartholin's Gland Cysts
The Bartholin's gland is a tiny organ on each of the labia (vaginal lips), near the opening of the vagina. If the vagina were the face of a clock, these glands would be found at about 4 and 8 o'clock. Normally they are invisible. They make a small amount of fluid that lubricates the vaginal lips. If a flap of skin grows over the opening of one of the glands, the fluid backs up. It causes a round swelling called a cyst. The cyst can grow from the size of a penny to larger than an orange, although most don't get bigger than a golf ball. They can be tender.
A Bartholin gland sometimes forms a cyst or abscess. A cyst is thought to occur from occlusion of the ostium, which leads to distension of the gland with fluid. An abscess is a primary infection of the gland by pathogenic bacteria. In a small case control study, the ratio of abscess formation to cyst formation was 2.9:1.
Adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland is rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of labial masses. The incidence is highest among women in their 60s. Symptoms and signs can mimic those of benign Bartholin gland cysts and abscesses, although fixation of the gland to the underlying tissue may be noted.
Symptoms of Bartholin's Gland Cyst
Many Bartholin's gland cysts don't cause any symptoms. They usually are discovered when a woman notices a small, painless mass just outside the opening to the vagina, or when a physician notices it during a routine pelvic examination. However, if the cyst grows larger than 1 inch in diameter, it can cause discomfort when sitting, or during intercourse. If a cyst becomes infected, it fills with pus, and becomes firm, swollen, and very painful, making it difficult for a woman to sit, walk or have intercourse. The pus-filled cyst is called an abscess.
Diagnosis of Bartholin's Gland Cyst
A Bartholin's gland cyst or abscess is diagnosed by a gynecological pelvic exam. If the cyst appears to be infected, a culture is often performed to identify the type of bacteria causing the abscess.
Treatment of Bartholin's Gland Cysts
Treatment measures for Bartholin gland cysts vary depending on the severity of symptoms and may include home treatment (taking nonprescription pain medications, soaking the genital area in a sitz bath), taking antibiotics, and/or having surgery.
Thank you for this information, its nice that I can do my own research and read about my symptoms so that I have a clear picture when I talk to my doctor -- S. Baker
After reoccurence more than 4 times in a 5 year period, what type of medical treatment can be done to rid the abscess completely? - LaDovia Williams
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