One of the common problems that several women face after a certain age is vaginal infections. Unfortunately, many women do not feel like gating it treated. There can be two causes for this – either they are afraid of treatment or they are ignorant of the infection. There can be several reasons for vagina infections and one of them is “Bartholin Cyst”. To know the type of infection it is important to have deep knowledge about the female vagina.
On each side of the vaginal opening, you will find Bartholin’s gland. Since they look the size of a pea, most women do not recognise them. The function of this Bartholin’s gland is to retain the moisture of your vagina. These glands also produce fluids that keep the vagina moist. When there is a problem in the Bartholin’s gland, they fail to retain the moisture of the vagina. As a result, you suffer from dryness which ultimately leads to yeast infection.
Since many people are not aware of Bartholin’s cyst, we have come up with a blog on the same. In this blog, we will share with you everything you need to know about Bartholin’s cyst, its causes symptoms and treatment. So, without further delay, let’s get started with the details of the blog.
What is Bartholin’s cyst?
The Bartholin’s gland is present on both sides of the vaginal opening. On these glands, you will find the Bartholin’s cyst which is a small rounded pea-like muscle mass filled with fluid. The Bartholin’s glands are precisely located on the lips of the labia and secrete vaginal fluid to keep the vagina wet. The fluid secreted by the Bartholin’s gland help in lubrication. So, during sexual intercourse, it is the fluid from this Bartholin’s glands that help to make you lubricated.
Whenever there is a problem in the Bartholin’s gland you need to visit a private gynaecologist in London. The formation of cysts in these glands is an unusual phenomenon. You will commonly find the development either during puberty or before menopause. Most women develop Bartholin’s cysts at least once in their lifetime.
Symptoms and signs of Bartholin’s cyst
The size of Bartholin’s cyst can vary from the size of a pea to a marble. In terms of measurement, the size of Bartholin’s cyst can range from 0.1 to 1 inch. However, the growth of these cysts is so gradual that sometimes they are barely noticeable.
The symptoms of Bartholin’s cyst differ according to the size of the cyst. If the cyst is small, it may not produce any symptoms. Also, most people cannot feel the Bartholin’s gland from the outside. So, the cyst goes unnoticed in most cases. Some of the common symptoms that you will find upon the development of Bartholin’s cyst are as follows:
A small and painless lump at the opening of the vagina
Swelling and redness at the vaginal opening
Irritation in the vagina, especially while peeing
Uneasiness and discomfort during sexual intercourse, walking or sitting
Sometimes the cyst can become more infectious. This happens when you keep the cyst untreated for a long time. When the Bartholin’s cysts become more infected, they start draining pus. Due to the enhancement of the infection, you can sometimes suffer from pain, chills and fever.
Causes of Bartholin’s cyst
Since the Bartholin’s gland keeps the vagina moist by producing the necessary fluid, it has small openings or ducts. When this opening gets blocked, it leads to the development of a cyst. There can be various reasons why the duct may get blocked. However, the most common causes of such abnormal blockage are irritation, an injury or growth of skin.
Sometimes, it may so happen that you can develop a cyst in the Bartholin’s gland due to a previous unresolved infection. So, whenever you notice something abnormal in the vagina, make sure to consult with a private gynaecologist in London. Although you will commonly come across these cysts during the reproductive age, they can happen at any time. So, stay aware of your vaginal health. One of the best ways to prevent Bartholin’s cyst is to wash your vagina regularly. You need not use a chemical wash always.
How to diagnose Bartholin’s cyst?
One of the easiest methods of diagnosing Bartholin’s cyst is a physical examination under the guidance of a gynaecologist. However, if the cyst is a larger one, you can notice and feel it outside the vagina. For better screening, the doctor might ask you to undergo a pelvic examination. However, the diagnosis of the cyst depends on its size and condition.
If the doctor notices that the cyst has infected, he might ask you to collect some samples and then get it tested in a reputed laboratory. As a sample, you have to provide some vaginal secretions. In this test, the doctor will find out if you are suffering from any sexually transmitted infection. If you are more than 40 years old, or experience menopause, the doctor will ask you to undergo a biopsy. This biopsy will check the presence of cancerous cells in your vagina.
How to treat Bartholin’s cyst?
Many people have confusion regarding the treatment of Bartholin’s cyst. They suffer from a dilemma as to if Bartholin’s cyst is curable. Well, the truth is you can cure Bartholin’s cyst, provided you follow the right treatment process. The kind of treatment that you need to follow depends on your condition.
If the cyst is small, you can treat it at home. Take a warm bath at least twice a day. Make sure to apply a warm and moist compress to reduce the size of the cyst. This warm compression can also ensure the drainage of the cyst. To reduce the pain of the cyst, you can consume some over-the-counter medications.
The condition can lead to surgery only if the condition of the cyst is severe and the infection has spread. Doctors recommend surgery only when they feel that the cyst is symptomatic, and can reoccur again.
Conclusion
Having Bartholin’s cyst is a rare condition, but not impossible. Even if you develop cysts on your Bartholin’s gland, do not panic about them. You can treat them well under the guidance of a renowned private gynaecologist in London. Do not delay the treatment process. Else, it can lead to the development of cancerous cells in the vagina.
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