Everything about Bartholin Cyst and its Treatment

What is Bartholin Cyst?

Bartholin cyst is a fluid-filled lump that may appear on the vaginal walls after an injury, a bacterial infection, or STIs such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. If infected, it may grow very large, develop an abscess, and cause unbearable pain.

However tempting, do not pop the cyst. Else, it may cause further infection and develop again.

Rather, consult a gynecologist at the earliest and take medications and sitz baths, that is, soak the infected area in 3-4 inches of warm water 2-3 times a day. Doing this should bring considerable relief and help drain the cyst faster.

However, if the Bartholin cysts are recurring, they are best treated through marsupialization. Contact us for Free Doctor Consultations, best medicines, and/or marsupialization treatment by the best gynecologists in gyne-clinics and hospitals near you.

How Does Bartholin Cyst Form?

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Bartholin Cyst Causes

• Injury

• Bacterial Infection

• Sexually Transmitted Infection

• Clogging of Bartholin gland

Bartholin Cyst Symptoms

• Protruding Lump from the Vaginal Skin

• Vaginal Discomfort

• Vaginal Pressure

• Vaginal Dryness and Itching

• Foul, Lactic Smell

• Pain During Penetration

• Vaginal Bleeding

• Pain and a Burning Sensation During Urination

Diagnosis - Bartholin Cyst Treatment

Diagnostic Tests

Swab Test: Here the gynecologist collects a sample of vaginal fluid on a swab to test it for infections.

Biopsy: If the woman is post-menopausal, there is a chance of carcinoma cells. Hence, the gynecologist may take a sample cell and perform a biopsy to screen cancer.

Self Diagnose

Diagnosis by a Doctor

Severity - Bartholin Cyst

Pus

Risks & Complications - Ovarian Cyst Treatment

During the Surgery

While Bartholin cyst is a minor surgery with moderate to nil risks, at times, in a rare case scenario, it may lead to:

• Additional bleeding
• Infection

If left Untreated

• It can keep swelling and bring unbearable pain, discomfort, and fever.
• Infect the surrounding areas

Prevention - Bartholin Cyst

We suggest the following for preventing and avoiding the recurrence of Bartholin cyst-

Protect the area from any injury: Be careful as you work/ play or do any physical activities. Injury on the Bartholin gland can cause trauma and back up Bartholin gland’s fluid, eventually forming a Bartholin cyst.

Practice safe sexual habits: Use a condom and maintain the highest levels of sexual hygiene. Basically, though Bartholin cysts can occur because of various reasons, STI is one of the major reasons it gets infected and turns into an abscess. Therefore, using a condom can help prevent STI and pus formation.

Careful Penetration: Rough/ dry sex or negligence while penetration can tear the skin around labia and clog Bartholin glands, causing painful Bartholin cysts. Therefore, being careful and using lubes is advised.

When to Consult a Doctor for Bartholin Cyst Treatment?

On symptoms: If you can feel a protruding lump on your vaginal wall, whether painful or not, you should consult a gynecologist immediately. If left untreated, it could lead to further infection and severity of pain and symptoms.

Regular gyne- exams: A general principle is, always see your gynecologist at least once a year. Many diseases or infections go unnoticed generally but regular pelvic exams can help detect the abnormality right in the bud and provide immediate and long-term solutions.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor for Bartholin Cyst

Bartholin Cyst Treatment Options & Cost

Non-Surgical

Surgical treatment of Bartholin Cyst is not always necessary for Bartholin cysts. Small and lesser symptomatic cysts can be treated through:

Sitz Bath: For a sitz bath, soak your vaginal area in a few inches of warm water. This would help both manage the pain, and soften and drain open the cyst. At times, your doctor may suggest adding an antibiotic solution to the water to quicken the relief process. ( This is usually suggested to be done 3-4 times a day for 5 or more days. )

Medicines: These include antibiotics and painkillers to drain open the cyst, prevent the infection, and manage pain & fever. These typically cost an average of between 800-1000 Rs.

Surgical

Surgical treatment of Bartholin Cyst is suggested when the cysts are very large, infected, or recurring. At large, there are 3 major treatment options-

Surgical Drainage: As the name suggests, this refers to surgically draining the cyst through an incision. For this procedure, the doctor first numbs the site through local/ spinal anesthesia and then makes a small incision/ nick to drain the pus.

Thereafter, a small rubber tube (drainage pipe) may also be placed to support fuller drainage over the next few weeks. Once the drainage completes, the tube is removed.

The exact method used for pus drainage varies case to case. While in some, keeping the drainage site open is the best solution, in others, the site may be packed with a gauze and antibiotic solution needing to be changed periodically. Which method is particularly better for you, is best decided by your operating doctor.

This typically costs anywhere between INR 8,000 to INR 12,000 in India.

Marsupialization: Marsupialization is the most effective for recurring or extremely painful Bartholin cysts. This too, is performed on local or spinal anesthesia. The doctor first drains the cyst through a small nick/ incision. Post drainage, the incision is slightly enlarged to create a temporary “kangaroo-pouch” on the vaginal lips. This passage helps support fuller drainage over the course of next few weeks, thus preventing gland clogging and recurrence.

This typically costs INR 25,000 to INR 35,000 in India.

Bartholin Gland Removal: Sometimes, when the cyst is ever recurring, painful or your gyne suspects cancer, the entire gland might be recommended to be removed. However, this is rare and depends entirely on the specificity and severity of the case.
This may cost an average of INR 30,000 to INR 40,000.

Surgery Preparation

Here is a general guideline to help you prepare for the surgery:

Discuss all your current medicines: Discuss your health conditions, medicines, supplements, and herbal potions elaborately with your doctor. This is because certain medicines, especially ibuprofen, insulin, or blood thinners hamper the surgery and risk excessive bleeding during the procedure. For the same reason, you might be asked to keep these on hold until a few days after the surgery.

Check for your BP and sugar levels: Just like any other surgery, marsupialization too, cannot be performed if you have imbalanced BP or sugar levels. This is why they must first be brought down and in control. The same holds true in the recovery period too.

Quit smoking/ drinking and use of recreational drugs: Do this at least two weeks before the surgery.

Confirm if the surgery is to be performed under local or spinal anesthesia: While you are free to eat or drink in case of local anesthesia usage, you are required to fast for a minimum of 4-6 hours for surgeries under general/ spinal anesthesia. Therefore, confirm the specifics from your doctor.

Change of clothes: Bring along a loose, cotton bottom wear to change into post surgery.

What to Expect During the Bartholin Cyst Surgery?

A medical attendant will take a few of the regular tests to record your BP and blood sugar levels before the surgery.

Then, you will be asked to change in a loose surgery gown to allow your surgeon better access to the procedure site.

The vaginal area shall be numbed with local/ spinal anesthesia.
Pus drainage and marsupialization shall be performed. The procedure typically takes less than 40-60 minutes.

Post procedure, you will be shifted to the general ward.

Insurance Coverage - Bartholin Cyst Treatment

Marsupialization falls under the ‘medically necessary’ bracket of surgeries. The surgery cost is hence covered by most insurance providers in India.

However, the specifics also vary from policy to policy. Please confirm the same from your health care or insurance provider.

Recovery Rate - Bartholin Cyst Treatment

There is immediate relief in pain after pus drainage and in most cases, you can resume some basic activities the very next day.

However, since the drainage would still be in process, doctors suggest you wait for at least 2-3 days before rejoining the office. This would help you heal better, avoid infections, and prevent a recurrence.