Bartholin's glands are located in the vulva, on either side of the vaginal opening. Their main function is to secrete mucus through Bartolini's ducts, to ensure lubrication; if the opening of these ducts becomes blocked, mucus builds up, causing swelling near the blockage. There are many remedies you can try to get rid of it, such as bathing in the sitz bath that allows the cyst to disappear on its own. Alternatively, if the problem persists, you can opt for medical treatments, such as taking pain relievers, a drain, marsupialization and / or antibiotic therapy if there is an infection; at the end of the treatment it is important to take precautions to recover completely and in the right way.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Find confirmation of the diagnosis
If you've noticed a painful lump on one side of the vaginal opening, it's most likely a Bartholin's cyst. You may experience pain when sitting down or during intercourse; in some cases, there is no symptom except swelling. If you are concerned about having this type of cyst, you must go to your family doctor (or rather, to the gynecologist) for a pelvic exam that can confirm the diagnosis.
- In addition to the visit, the doctor tests you for sexually transmitted infections.
- The reason for these tests lies in the fact that the coexistence of venereal infections and Bartolini's cysts increases the risk of contamination of the latter, with the consequent need to undergo antibiotic therapy (find more details in the article).
- If you are over 40, you may need to do a biopsy to rule out the possibility of reproductive cancer.
Step 2. Take several baths each day in the sitz bath
One of the cornerstones of Bartolini's cyst treatment is precisely this type of soaking; fill the bathtub just enough to cover your vagina and butt with water, and sit down. It is not necessary that the water exceed this level, but if you wish, nothing forbids it; it depends entirely on personal preferences, whether you want to enjoy a nice bath or just follow the treatment.
- You should repeat this procedure at least 3-4 times a day.
- The purpose of washing in the sitz bath is to keep the area clean, reduce pain and / or discomfort, as well as increase the likelihood that the cyst will drain spontaneously.
Step 3. Go to the gynecologist if the situation does not go away on its own
If the cyst does not empty naturally after several days of washing in the sitz bath, you should see your doctor and discuss the possibility of surgical drainage. It is important to perform this evaluation early, because a cyst that persists for a long time is more likely to become infected and turn into an "abscess", a much more complicated problem than a simple cyst; an active approach is therefore better than waiting.
- If you are under 40 and the disorder is asymptomatic (you have no fever, pain, and so on), medical intervention is often not necessary.
- If you experience fever, in addition to the presence of the lump, go to the doctor for treatment.
- To avoid infections, use condoms during sexual intercourse, especially if you're not sure your partner doesn't have STDs. in any case, abstinence is not necessary.
Step 4. Take pain relieving medications
While you wait for the cyst to be treated or absorbed spontaneously, consider taking pain relievers to manage the discomfort. you can buy over-the-counter ones at the pharmacy. Here are some examples:
- Ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment) from 400-600 mg every 4-6 hours as needed;
- Paracetamol (Tachipirina) 500mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
Part 2 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Opt for surgical drainage
The most effective way to get rid of Bartholin's cyst is a procedure that eliminates the liquid contents; go to the gynecologist who will arrange the surgery.
- In most cases, incision and drainage are outpatient procedures that require the administration of a local anesthetic.
- An incision (opening) is made on the cyst allowing the fluid to escape.
- A catheter (tube) is inserted that you need to hold for up to six weeks; the surgeon takes this precaution only in cases where the cyst is a recurring disorder.
- The purpose of the catheter is to keep the cyst open, to prevent more fluid from accumulating inside, draining it as soon as it forms.
- By leaving the incision open, fluids do not collect in the cyst sac, which consequently can heal naturally.
Step 2. Take the antibiotics
If Bartholin's cyst is infected, the gynecologist prescribes a course of antibiotics immediately after drainage; complete the therapy without neglecting any dose, to prevent the treatment from losing effectiveness.
- Also, if tests for sexually transmitted infections are positive, you will be given antibiotic therapy, even if the cyst is not infected.
- The aim is to prevent infection, as a positive outcome for venereal ones increases the chances of the cyst becoming an abscess.
Step 3. Ask your doctor for more details about "marsupialization"
If you suffer from recurrent cysts, you can ask your gynecologist to undergo this procedure, during which, at the end of the drainage, sutures are applied to the sides of the bag, to keep it open.
- It is a permanent opening, the purpose of which is to prevent recurrence.
- You may need to hold a catheter for a few days after surgery; after this time, the tube is pulled out, as the stitches are strong enough to hold the incision open.
Step 4. Undergo a complete removal of the Bartholin's gland
If your case is particularly severe, one of the solutions that are used as a "last resort" is the removal of the gland through surgery or a laser procedure; both are simple interventions that do not require hospitalization.
Step 5. There is no known method to prevent this pouch from forming
Although many women have asked if there are preventative (or risk-reducing) strategies, gynecologists reply that there are no known or effective techniques; advise you to promptly undergo treatments, whether they are home-made or professional.
Part 3 of 3: Recovering from a Surgical Drainage
Step 1. Continue bathing in the sitz bath regularly
After a drainage or marsupialization surgery, it is important to wash the area during convalescence; make sure the area is clean to minimize the risk of infection and optimize the healing phase.
It is advisable to proceed with washing after a day or two from the surgery
Step 2. Refrain from sexual intercourse until the catheter is removed
The surgeon may decide to leave a drainage catheter in the cyst for 4-6 weeks to prevent fluid from accumulating again; in such a situation, it is important not to have intimate intercourse, to ensure that the device does not move.
- Avoiding sex during this time reduces the risk of any cyst infections.
- After a marsupialization procedure, you do not need to have sex for four weeks, even if a catheter has not been inserted, to ensure complete healing.
Step 3. Continue analgesic therapy as needed
You may need to take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment) or acetaminophen (Tachipirina). Alternatively, if you are in severe pain, your doctor may give you prescription drugs (narcotics), such as morphine, in the early stages of recovery.
