Bartholin's glands are located in one part of the vulva or vaginal lips, and function to secrete vaginal lubricating fluid to keep the vagina moist and make it easier for women to have sexual intercourse. If there is a blockage in the duct of the Bartholin's gland, the fluid that builds up can cause swelling in the area; This condition is often called a "cyst". To treat Bartholin's cyst, there are several methods that you can apply, ranging from home remedies such as soaking the buttocks and vaginal area in warm water (sitz bath) to medical treatment methods that require the help of a doctor. If the cyst does not go away or heals, the doctor will prescribe pain medication and offer various treatment options such as surgical removal of the fluid, marsupialization, and/or antibiotics to treat the infected cyst. Once the cyst has been successfully treated, make sure you also apply the recovery methods recommended by your doctor to maximize the results.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Treating a Bartholin's Cyst at Home
Step 1. Get an accurate diagnosis
Find a painful lump on one of the vaginal lips? Most likely, the lump is a Bartholin's cyst! If so, chances are you will also feel pain when sitting or having sex. Alternatively, you won't feel any pain but notice that the area is swollen. If you notice the presence of a lump that is suspected to be a cyst, immediately get it checked by a doctor to get the right diagnosis!
- In addition to doing a pelvic exam, your doctor will likely also check for a sexually transmitted disease that affects you.
- Why is that? In fact, someone who has a sexually transmitted disease has a greater chance of developing a cyst infection and needs to take antibiotics as soon as possible.
- If you are over 40, your doctor will most likely need to perform a biopsy to rule out cancer in your reproductive system.
Step 2. Perform the sitz bath procedure several times a day
One method of treating Bartholin's cysts is to do sitz baths regularly. In fact, you just need to fill a shallow tub or bucket with enough warm water (make sure there's enough water to cover the buttocks and vaginal area!). If you want, you can even fill the tub to the brim and soak your entire body in it at the same time.
- At least, do this procedure three to four times a day.
- This procedure aims to keep the area around the cyst clean, reduce pain and/or discomfort in the area where the cyst is growing, and increase the chances of the cyst to drain naturally.
Step 3. Immediately see a doctor if the cyst does not heal on its own
If the fluid in the cyst doesn't come out and/or the cyst doesn't heal after a few days of sitz bathing, see a doctor right away. Chances are, the doctor will need to carry out medical procedures such as fluid removal surgery. Trust me, it's better to discuss treatment options early on before the cyst gets infected and forms an "abscess" or inflamed cavity that promotes the appearance of pus. Since infected or inflamed cysts are more difficult to treat than regular cysts, it's best to be proactive about asking for recommended treatment options from the start.
- If you are under the age of 40 and have a cyst that is asymptomatic (no pain, no fever, etc.), there is generally no need for medical treatment to treat it.
- If the appearance of the cyst is accompanied by fever, immediately consult a doctor.
- To prevent the cyst from becoming infected, make sure you always use a condom during sexual intercourse, especially if you are not sure that your partner is completely free of sexually transmitted diseases. Don't worry, generally Bartholin's cyst patients don't need to completely stop having sex.
Step 4. Take medication to relieve the pain that appears
While waiting for the cyst to be treated and/or healed, try taking painkillers to relieve any discomfort in the area where the cyst is growing. You can easily buy these over-the-counter medicines at various pharmacies; Some of the commonly consumed are:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) in a dose of 400-600 mg; taken every four to six hours or when needed.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) at a dose of 500 mg; taken every four to six hours or when needed.
Part 2 of 3: Performing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Perform fluid removal surgery
In fact, this is the most effective way to treat a Bartholin's cyst that doesn't go away. If the GP you usually visit has experience doing this, try asking him for help. If not, you will most likely be referred to another doctor who has experience with the procedure.
- Most incision and discharge procedures are minor surgeries that can be performed in the doctor's office under local anesthesia.
- First, the doctor will make a small incision or incision in the cyst wall so that the fluid inside can drain out.
- After that, the doctor will place a catheter inside the cyst. Generally, this procedure is only performed on recurrent cysts and the catheter should not be removed for at least six weeks postoperatively.
- The purpose of the catheter is to keep the cyst open. Thus, the remaining abscess or fluid that has accumulated can be completely removed.
- Doing so will also prevent fluid buildup and heal the cyst naturally.
Step 2. Take antibiotics
If the cyst is infected, the doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics to be taken postoperatively. Make sure you finish the antibiotics! Forgetting to take antibiotics or not taking them can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine in your body.
- For patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), antibiotics will still be given even if the cyst is not infected.
- Patients suffering from sexually transmitted diseases have a higher chance of developing infection in the cyst. Therefore, antibiotics are actually intended to reduce this risk.
Step 3. Discuss the possibility of marsupialization with your doctor
If your Bartholin's cyst reappears, consider consulting your doctor for the possibility of a marsupialization procedure. In general, marsupialization is a procedure to cut the cyst to remove the fluid inside. After that, the doctor will sew up the cyst wall to keep it open.
- The opening is permanent and serves to prevent the Bartholin's cyst from forming again.
- You may also need to use a catheter for several days postoperatively, at least until the sutures are strong enough to keep the incision open.
Step 4. Remove your Bartholin's glands
If the cyst condition is severe enough, or if cysts continue to form in your Bartholin's gland, one of the "last resorts of treatment" that can be done is to remove the Bartholin's gland through a laser procedure or surgery. Both are simple procedures so the patient does not need to be hospitalized afterward.
Step 5. Understand that so far, there is no effective way or strategy to prevent the formation of a Bartholin's cyst
Although many people have been asking how to prevent (or at least reduce the risk of) the formation of a Bartholin's cyst, so far doctors have not found the answer. Generally, they will only recommend that patients seek immediate treatment – either at home or in the hospital – when they first become aware of the presence of the cyst.
Part 3 of 3: Undergoing Postoperative Recovery
Step 1. Perform the sitz bath procedure regularly
After the discharge surgery or excision procedure, make sure that the sitz bath procedure is continued until your condition is completely healed. Do this to keep the area clean, as well as to minimize the risk of infection during the recovery process.
It's best to start doing the procedure one to two days after the operation
Step 2. Do not have sexual intercourse until your catheter is removed
Generally, patients need to use a catheter for four to six weeks to keep the cyst open and prevent postoperative fluid buildup. Therefore, do not have sexual intercourse until your catheter is removed!
- Stopping sexual intercourse temporarily can also prevent the cyst from becoming infected.
- Even though doctors don't have a postoperative catheter, patients are generally not allowed to have sex for four weeks to maximize the recovery process.
Step 3. Continue to take painkillers as needed
In fact, you can take a variety of over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed. If the pain that appears is no longer tolerable, immediately ask your doctor to prescribe over-the-counter medications such as morphine to speed up your recovery process.
