Bartholin’s Cyst Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Bartholin’s or Bartholin’s cyst is a bag filled with clear fluid that is formed due to blockage of the Bartholin’s gland.
The Bartholin glands themselves are a pair of oval glands and measure 0.5 cm. The gland is located on the lower right and left at 4 and 8 o’clock on the vaginal lips, and is not palpable.
The Bartholin glands produce fluids that are useful for lubricating the vulva and vagina, thereby preventing irritation due to friction during intercourse.
If the Bartholin glands are blocked, fluid will accumulate and trigger cysts.
Bartholin’s cyst
| Medical specialist | Skin and genital specialist; obstetrics and obstetrics specialist |
| Symptom | Lumps on the lips of the vagina, discomfort or lumps in the area where there are cysts; cysts can be enlarged, reddened, accompanied by pain if there is an infection |
| risk factor | women of childbearing age, from puberty to menopause |
| How to diagnose | Medical interview and physical examination |
| Treatment | Medicines, sitz baths, catheters, marsupialization, CO2 lasers |
| Drug | Pain relievers, antibiotics |
| Complications | Infection |
| When to see a doctor? | Experiencing the symptoms of a Bartholin’s cyst |
Symptom
Not all cases of Bartholin cysts cause symptoms. Especially if the size of the cyst is small, usually the patient does not experience any complaints.
The most frequently detected symptom of a Bartholin’s cyst is a lump on the vaginal lips.
Some sufferers also complain of discomfort or a feeling of a lump in the area where there is a cyst.
Enlarged, reddened cysts can also occur, and are also accompanied by pain if there is an infection.
Reason
Blockage of the Bartholin’s glands can be caused by trauma, episiotomy, childbirth, or even unknown causes.
Apart from the things above, the cause of Bartholin cysts is an infection in the genital area. Although not always caused by sexually transmitted diseases, the most common cause of Bartholin’s cysts is gonorrhea infection.
Cysts usually contain non-purulent (thick and thick) fluid containing Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and E. coli bacteria.
Risk Factors
Bartholin’s cyst disease is high risk in women of childbearing age, which starts from puberty. The risk increases with age until you enter menopause.
Diagnosis
Generally, it is not difficult to determine the diagnosis of Bartholin’s cyst disease. In the process of determining the diagnosis, the doctor will ask about complaints and carry out a physical examination.
Complaints can include pain during intercourse, pain when urinating, and vague pelvic pain.
Physical examination is carried out by examining the patient’s genital area. Cysts are usually unilateral and 2 – 4 cm in diameter.
Based on this, generally doctors can determine the condition of a Bartholin cyst. Examination of sexually transmitted diseases which often trigger the emergence of Bartholin cysts also needs to be done.
This disease does not require laboratory tests or imaging.
Treatment
Generally, Bartholin cysts are harmless and can be cured.
If the cyst lump is very small and doesn’t cause any complaints, usually no treatment is needed.
If discomfort, pain occurs, or even develops into an infection, several ways to treat a Bartholin cyst can be done.
1. Medicine
Pain relievers, such as paracetamol, can help with aches and pains.
If there is a bacterial infection, the doctor can also prescribe antibiotics for patients with Bartholin’s cysts.
2. Sitz Baths
In addition, your doctor may recommend that you take a sitz bath, which is to sit in warm water at hip level for 3-4 days.
This method can help you relieve pain and discomfort in the intimate organs. Sitz baths can sometimes treat small cysts. You can do this method yourself at home.
3. Catheter Method
The catheter method is often used to prevent recurrence. A small catheter tube is inserted into the cyst through a small incision and left for 4-6 weeks to ensure epithelialization.
To help the healing process it is recommended to do a sitz bath. The catheter method is not recommended for deep cysts and abscesses.
4. Marsupialization
Another alternative therapy for Bartholin’s cysts is in the form of marsupialization, namely the incision method, clamping using forceps, and suturing.
In this method, complications such as hematoma, pain during intercourse, and infection can occur.
5. CO2 lasers
CO2 laser therapy can also be an option to avoid the possibility of recurrence, scars, persistent drainage, and bleeding from commonly used therapies.
6. Other Therapy
There are also several other therapeutic methods that doctors can recommend, such as gland ablation with silver nitrate, laser, needle aspiration with or without alcohol sclerotherapy, and gland excision.
Therapy will be adjusted to the condition of each patient.
Prevention
One of the causes of Bartholin cysts is a sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, take care of yourself to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
Make sure you practice safe sex. It is better to have sex with only one sexual partner (husband/wife). Use a condom when having sex if necessary.
Complications
Complications of this disease in the form of infection. In addition, complications can arise from the surgical therapy performed, namely in the form of bleeding, post-operative pain, and also infection.
When to See a Doctor?
Rush to the doctor if you feel the symptoms of a Bartholin’s cyst as mentioned above.