![]() There's a difference between your vagina and vulva. Still, we know you might still be tempted to do a little digging (while you wait for your appointment to arrive, of course), so here are some common reasons you may have a lump or bump on your vagina. “Trust me - we’ve seen it all - you can’t surprise us, and this is why we’re here.” “First and foremost, don’t try to be your own doctor! Please seek care and have someone take a look avoiding care because of embarrassment can lead to worsening symptoms and more extensive treatment,” says Beri Ridgeway, M.D., chair of Obstetrics/Gynecology & Women’s Health Institute at Cleveland Clinic. After all, odd smells, rashes and irritation or mysterious bumps can be anxiety-inducing reasons to schedule an emergency gyno appointment - but that’s exactly what you should do if you notice something unusual happening "down there." ![]() Google, issues with your vagina probably tops your list of whys. If you’ve ever morphed into a (panicked) Dr. ![]() It's not clear exactly why Bartholin's cysts develop, so it's not usually possible to prevent them.īut as some are thought to be linked to STIs, practising safe sex (using a condom every time you have sex) can help reduce your chances of developing Bartholin's cysts. The cysts are also uncommon after the menopause as this usually causes the Bartholin's glands to shrink. Who's affectedĪ Bartholin's cyst usually affects sexually active women aged 20 to 30.īartholin's cysts do not usually affect children because the Bartholin's glands do not start functioning until puberty. Most of these treatments involve a minor surgical procedure.Ī Bartholin's cyst can sometimes return after treatment. If these do not work, several treatments are available to treat the pain and any infection. If the cyst is painful, a GP may recommend some simple self-care measures, such as soaking the cyst in warm water several times a day for 3 or 4 days and taking painkillers you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket. If you do not have any noticeable symptoms, it's unlikely you'll need treatment. It's often not known why the ducts become blocked, but sometimes it's linked to sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia, or other bacterial infections, such as Escherichia coli (E. If the ducts become blocked, they can fill with fluid and expand to form a cyst. The fluid travels down tiny tubes called ducts into the vagina. The Bartholin's glands secrete fluid that acts as a lubricant during sex. The glands are not usually noticeable because they're rarely larger than 1cm (0.4 inches) across. The Bartholin's glands are a pair of pea-sized glands found just behind and either side of the lips that surround the entrance to the vagina. A small sample of cyst tissue will be removed and examined under a microscope to check for signs of a rare type of vulval cancer called Bartholin's gland cancer. Sometimes, a GP may recommend you have a biopsy. If they think the cyst or one of your Bartholin's glands may be infected, they may use a swab to remove a sample of discharge for analysis to identify the bacteria responsible. Small Bartholin's cysts are sometimes only found during a routine cervical screening test or an examination carried out for another reason.Īlways see a GP if you develop a lump in the area around your vagina so they can confirm a diagnosis and rule out more serious conditions. Signs of an abscess include the affected area becoming red, swollen, tender and hot. ![]() If the cyst becomes infected, it can cause a painful collection of pus (abscess) to develop in one of the Bartholin's glands. One side may look swollen or bigger than usual. The cyst can sometimes affect the outer pair of lips surrounding the vagina (labia majora). You may feel pain in the skin surrounding the vagina (vulva) when you walk, sit down or have sex. This does not usually cause any problems.īut if the cyst grows very large, it can become noticeable and uncomfortable. A Bartholin's cyst, also called a Bartholin's duct cyst, is a small fluid-filled sac just inside the opening of the vagina.
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