Cysts in the Bartholino’s gland and Bartholinitis

Bartholino's glands are two glands located to the right and left of the back of the vaginal opening that can cause cysts and bartolinitis.

They are intended to secrete a small amount of mucus to lubricate the inlet They measure approximately half a centimeter and are located deep with a small conduit that discharges the content to the outside.

How does a Bartholino gland cyst form?

Sometimes, the ducts of these glands can become blocked and cause that lubricating mucus to accumulate inside and increase in size, leading to the formation of a cyst of 1 to 4 cm palpable to one side or the other of the posterior part of the entrance to the vagina. Its size can vary occasionally when draining part of its content, decreasing in size to progressively increase again.

It is not usually painful and is often discovered by chance and It does not require treatment if it does not cause any discomfort.

There are certain factors that are considered predisposing, but the most important is the anatomy of the gland itself that is congenital and on which we cannot influence. Other factors that can trigger it are inflammatory processes in the area favored by rubbing in sexual intercourse, cycling or horseback riding.

What is Bartholinitis?

Bartholino's gland can also be infected, sometimes due to the content of the cyst itself. We call this other picture Bartholinitis or Bartholino's gland abscess, which is three times more frequent than the cyst.

In this case there is a accumulated discharge that can be colonized by germs of the genital or perineal area and making the situation change completely:

• The discharge becomes pus and there are significant inflammatory signs causing swelling.
• Major heat and pain that many times limits the ability to walk or simply remain seated.
• May appear fever and malaise.

Bartholinitis does require treatment, as it is very important to clean the purulent infection to alleviate the patient's symptoms and probably give antibiotic to fight infection.

How do you clean a Bartholino's gland abscess?

• Puncture and aspirate the content that produces relief quickly, but has a high probability of reappearing.
• Drain with a small scalpel incision, with a lower reappearance rate.
• Marsupialization, for patients who have had it several times. It consists of a small surgical intervention in which a abscess opening, drains its content and sutured around so that it cannot be closed again.
• Gland removal: When it continues to appear, even after marsupialization, it is recommended to completely remove the gland so that it does not become obstructed or infected again. This procedure does not significantly affect vaginal lubrication capacity, but it is a more aggressive intervention than marsupialization.

In any of these surgical options it is recommended antibiotic treatment added and, at times, it may be necessary to take in and put local heat to promote drainage.

The insurances have a wide medical staff of gynecology specialists, and if you have any questions, you have the 24-hour Medical Guidance service, where an expert will attend to your query.

CALCULATE YOUR PRICE