Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2508/-1/133/
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ASK YOUR DOCTOR - Bartholin's Cysts by Dr. Brett Hodge
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Bartholin’s cysts or abscesses are common problems in women of reproductive age. Many women with these conditions have severe pain and discomfort prior to receiving adequate treatment.
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Dr. Brett Hodge
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What are Bartholin’s glands?
Bartholin’s glands are two glands located at the posterior introitus of the vagina. These pea-sized glands are normally not felt, but can become very large if their ducts become blocked or if they become infected and results in an abscess. When the ducts become blocked a Bartholin’s cyst forms. The cyst is not cancerous. About 2% of women develop a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess at some time in their life. The Bartholin’s glands function is to provide moisture to the vagina especially during sexual intercourse.
What causes a Bartholin’s cyst?
Obstruction of the distal end of the Bartholin’s duct may result in the retention of secretions, with resultant dilation of the duct and formation of a cyst. The cyst may become infected, resulting in a Bartholin’s abscess. Many different organisms may result in infection, some of which are not sexually transmitted.
What are the symptoms of a Bartholin’s cyst?
If the Bartholin’s cyst remains small the woman may not know and she may not have any symptoms. In most women, the main symptom is a swelling in the posterior introitus of the vagina. The area may become painful. The pain is made worse by walking, sitting and sexual intercourse. If an abscess develops, a fever may present, as well as severe swelling of the surrounding area of the vulva and vagina.
Treatment
A Bartholin’s cyst that has symptoms requires treatment. All Bartholin’s abscesses also require urgent treatment. Drainage using a Word catheter or marsupialization of cysts can be performed in the doctor’s office. Excision of Bartholin’s glands is seldom performed and should never be done in the presence of infection. Antibiotics alone should not be used to treat a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess.
Complications
Bartholin’s cysts that are appropriately treated have few complications. In some cases recurrences do occur. A Bartholin’s cyst may go on to become an abscess, but many Bartholin’s abscesses are not preceded by a cyst. Excision of the Bartholin’s gland is reserved for ruling out cancer in menopausal women.
Conclusion
Many doctors will encounter women with either a Bartholin cyst or abscess. These common problems are treated with simple procedures. The goal of treatment is to preserve the Bartholin’s gland so that it can continue to carry out its function. Appropriate treatment can prevent much pain and suffering in women having a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.