A Bartholin's cyst is a fluid-filled lump caused by a blocked Bartholin's gland. Bartholin's cysts are generally small and painless. However, if the fluid in a Bartholin's cyst becomes infected, an abscess (a buildup of pus) can occur.
Bartholin's glands are located on either side of the vaginal lips. This gland is small, so it is not easily detected by the hands or eyes. These glands secrete a fluid that acts as a lubricant during sexual intercourse.
Causes of Bartholin's Cyst
A Bartholin's cyst is caused by a blocked duct of the Bartholin's gland. When the duct is blocked, the fluid will be trapped in the duct or back into the gland. Over time, this will cause the duct or gland to swell and form a cyst.
The exact cause of the blockage of the Bartholin's gland duct is not known. However, cuts, injuries, repeated irritation, and undergoing surgery, on the vagina can increase the risk of blockage of the Bartholin's glands.
In some cases, Bartholin's cysts are also associated with sexually transmitted infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis. In addition, infection Escherichia coli It is also often associated with the appearance of a Bartholin's cyst.
Bartholin's cysts can occur at any age. However, this condition is more common in women between the ages of 20 and 30 who are sexually active. Cysts are rare in postmenopausal women because the Bartholin's glands have shrunk.
Symptoms of Bartholin's Cyst
Bartholin's cyst rarely causes symptoms. New symptoms will appear if the size of the cyst is large enough. However, in general, blockages in the Bartholin glands can cause symptoms such as:
- Small, painless lump on one side of the vaginal lip
- Redness and swelling around the sides of the vaginal lips
- Discomfort when walking, sitting, or having sex
If the cyst becomes infected and develops into an abscess, several other symptoms will appear, namely:
- The lump is painful and tender
- Vagina looks swollen
- Out lump pus
- Fever
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to do an examination to the doctor if a lump appears around the vagina. This aims to determine the cause of the lump and detect as early as possible the occurrence of a more serious condition.
Immediately consult a doctor if a lump appears when you are more than 40 years old. Although quite rare, this condition can indicate another disease or condition that is more serious, such as cancer.
In addition, Bartholin's cysts can recur. Check with the doctor if the symptoms of the cyst reappear even though it has been declared cured.
Diagnosis of Bartholin's Cyst
In the early stages, the doctor will ask questions about the patient's complaints and medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the pelvic area and vagina to see the cyst directly. Generally, the cyst only occurs on one side of the vagina, while the other side remains normal in size.
If needed, the doctor will also perform the following supporting tests:
- Culture swab of fluid from the cyst or cervix (cervix), to determine if there is a sexually transmitted infection
- Bartholin gland tissue sampling (biopsy), to detect abnormal cells, including cancer
Bartholin's Cyst Treatment
Bartholin's cyst treatment is determined based on the size of the cyst and the symptoms it causes. Small cysts that don't cause symptoms usually don't require treatment and go away on their own.
In contrast, a cyst requires further treatment if it causes symptoms or becomes infected and develops into an abscess. Here are the methods of treatment that can be done:
1. Soak in warm water or sitz bath
Sitting soaking in warm water at hip level or sitz bath. This method can be done to relieve pain and discomfort that occurs in the intimate organs and sometimes can overcome small cysts. This treatment can be done independently at home.
2. Drugs
Pain relievers, such as paracetamol, can be taken to relieve pain. In addition, doctors can also give medicine antibiotics to relieve infection that causes abscesses in cysts.
Antibiotic drugs can also be used in cases where the infection spreads to the skin or tissues around the abscess or when the sufferer has a sexually transmitted infection.
3. Incision and drainage surgery
Incision and drainage surgery is necessary if the size of the cyst is large enough, especially if there is infection. The operation is performed by making a small incision (incision) in the cyst so that the pus in it can be drained out (drainage).
4. Pcatheter care
Insertion of a tube with a balloon catheter is done to drain the pus. In this procedure, a small incision is made to insert the catheter into the cyst, then a balloon is inflated to keep the catheter from coming loose and can last for 2–6 weeks.
5. Marsupialization of the cyst
Marsupialization of the cyst is done by making an incision in the cyst to drain the pus and sewing the end of the incision to the surrounding skin to keep the cyst open permanently. This procedure can be combined with catheter insertion.
6. Bartholin's gland removal
This procedure is performed when other procedures have failed. The operation is performed by removing the entire Bartholin's gland.
During the healing process, it is important to always keep the cyst area clean according to the doctor's advice. Should avoid sexual activity during the healing process. Wear a bandage while the catheter is in place, as the pus will continue to drain as the infection clears.
Bartholin's Cyst Complications
A possible complication of a Bartholin's cyst is recurrence of the cyst or infection. If left untreated, the infection can also enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, causing sepsis, although this is rare.
Bartholin's Cyst Prevention
Because the cause is not known with certainty, Bartholin's cyst is difficult to prevent. However, there are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of developing an abscess or infection in the cyst, namely:
- Keep the area around the intimate organs clean, and make it a habit to clean the intimate organs from front to back
- Avoid activities that can cause injury to the area around the vagina
- Use a condom when having sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections