Bartholin's cyst
Encyclopedia
A Bartholin's cyst is formed when a Bartholin's gland
is blocked, causing a fluid-filled cyst
to develop. A Bartholin's cyst is not an infection
, although it can be caused by an infection, inflammation, or physical blockage (mucus or other impediment) to the Bartholin's ducts (tubes which lead from the glands to the vulva). If infection
sets in, the result is a Bartholin's abscess. If the infection is severe or repeated a surgical procedure known as marsupialization
may be required to stop further recurrences.
Bartholin's cysts are most likely to occur in women of child-bearing age although when they occur in women over 40, sometimes the doctor will recommend a biopsy just to be sure there are no cancer cells present, even though cancer of the Bartholin's gland
is extremely rare.
A Bartholin's cyst can grow from the size of a pea to the size of an egg. Cysts are not sexually transmitted. They often simply develop for no known reason without any type of infection being present. However, even with an abscess, a bacterial infection or STD is not the cause.
) is inserted into the cyst and inflated to keep it in place. The catheter stays in place for 2 to 4 weeks, draining the fluid and causing a normal gland opening to form, after which the catheter is removed. The catheters do not generally impede normal activity, and sexual intercourse is generally abstained from while the catheter is in place.
Cysts may also be opened permanently, a method called marsupialization
, in which an opening to the gland is formed with stitches which hold the secretion channel open.
The cysts are not life-threatening, but can be quite painful and can even make walking difficult. New cysts cannot absolutely be prevented from forming; however, surgical
or laser
removal of a cyst makes it less likely that a new one will form at the same site. However, those with a cyst are more likely than someone else to get one in the future. Some recur once every few years, while the more unlucky ones get them more frequently. There is not presently a generally agreed-upon explanation in the medical field for the cause of these cysts, nor agreement upon what can be done to help prevent them. Many women who have marsupialization done find that the recurrences may slow, but do not actually stop.
If the cyst is infected, it may break open and start to heal on its own after 3 to 4 days. Nonprescription pain medication such as ibuprofen
relieve pain, and sitz bath
may increase comfort.
If a Bartholin gland abscess comes back several times, the gland and duct can be surgically removed.
, suffered from a severe case of Bartholin's cyst, whose cause and treatment was not known at the time, and Samuel described her suffering frequently in his diaries.
Bartholin's gland
The Bartholin's glands are two glands located slightly posterior and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina. They secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina and are homologous to bulbourethral glands in males...
is blocked, causing a fluid-filled cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
to develop. A Bartholin's cyst is not an infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
, although it can be caused by an infection, inflammation, or physical blockage (mucus or other impediment) to the Bartholin's ducts (tubes which lead from the glands to the vulva). If infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
sets in, the result is a Bartholin's abscess. If the infection is severe or repeated a surgical procedure known as marsupialization
Marsupialization
Marsupialization is the surgical technique of cutting a slit into a cyst and suturing the edges of the slit to form a continuous surface from the exterior to the interior of the cyst. Sutured in this fashion, the cyst remains open and can drain freely...
may be required to stop further recurrences.
Bartholin's cysts are most likely to occur in women of child-bearing age although when they occur in women over 40, sometimes the doctor will recommend a biopsy just to be sure there are no cancer cells present, even though cancer of the Bartholin's gland
Bartholin's gland
The Bartholin's glands are two glands located slightly posterior and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina. They secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina and are homologous to bulbourethral glands in males...
is extremely rare.
A Bartholin's cyst can grow from the size of a pea to the size of an egg. Cysts are not sexually transmitted. They often simply develop for no known reason without any type of infection being present. However, even with an abscess, a bacterial infection or STD is not the cause.
Treatment
The treatment can depend on one or more of these factors: the size of the cyst, how painful it is, if it is infected, and the patient's age. In some cases, a small cyst can simply be observed over time to see if it grows. In other cases, the doctor can perform a minor procedure in the office, in which a small tube (a catheterCatheter
In medicine, a catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Catheters thereby allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, or access by surgical instruments. The process of inserting a catheter is catheterization...
) is inserted into the cyst and inflated to keep it in place. The catheter stays in place for 2 to 4 weeks, draining the fluid and causing a normal gland opening to form, after which the catheter is removed. The catheters do not generally impede normal activity, and sexual intercourse is generally abstained from while the catheter is in place.
Cysts may also be opened permanently, a method called marsupialization
Marsupialization
Marsupialization is the surgical technique of cutting a slit into a cyst and suturing the edges of the slit to form a continuous surface from the exterior to the interior of the cyst. Sutured in this fashion, the cyst remains open and can drain freely...
, in which an opening to the gland is formed with stitches which hold the secretion channel open.
The cysts are not life-threatening, but can be quite painful and can even make walking difficult. New cysts cannot absolutely be prevented from forming; however, surgical
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
or laser
Laser surgery
Laser surgery is surgery using a laser to cut tissue instead of a scalpel. Examples include the use of a laser scalpel in otherwise conventional surgery, and soft tissue laser surgery, in which the laser beam vaporizes soft tissue with high water content...
removal of a cyst makes it less likely that a new one will form at the same site. However, those with a cyst are more likely than someone else to get one in the future. Some recur once every few years, while the more unlucky ones get them more frequently. There is not presently a generally agreed-upon explanation in the medical field for the cause of these cysts, nor agreement upon what can be done to help prevent them. Many women who have marsupialization done find that the recurrences may slow, but do not actually stop.
If the cyst is infected, it may break open and start to heal on its own after 3 to 4 days. Nonprescription pain medication such as ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
relieve pain, and sitz bath
Sitz bath
A sitz bath is a bath in which a person sits in water up to the hips. It is used to relieve discomfort and pain in the lower part of the body, for example, due to hemorrhoids , anal fissures, rectal surgery, an episiotomy, uterine cramps, inflammatory bowel disease, and infections of the bladder,...
may increase comfort.
If a Bartholin gland abscess comes back several times, the gland and duct can be surgically removed.
Notable Victims
Elizabeth Pepys, wife of 17th century diarist Samuel PepysSamuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys FRS, MP, JP, was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is now most famous for the diary he kept for a decade while still a relatively young man...
, suffered from a severe case of Bartholin's cyst, whose cause and treatment was not known at the time, and Samuel described her suffering frequently in his diaries.
External links
- GP Notebook <<<< broken link
- Bartholin's Gland site