Bartholin’s cyst occurs when a fluid-filled sac forms right inside the vaginal opening. It feels like a soft lump, but tends not to cause pain and does not trigger more serious health issues. However, as the cyst grows larger, discomfort is inevitable.
You may experience pain or tenderness in the vulvar skin when sitting, walking, or engaging in sexual intercourse. Sometimes, this cyst can affect the labia majora, making one side of the vagina appear larger than the other. If infected, an abscess can form on the cyst, causing pain.
Symptoms of an infected cyst include a reddening of the affected vaginal area, pain upon touch, warmth when touched, and swelling. This condition also raises body temperature to over 38 degrees Celsius.
What Causes a Woman to Develop Bartholin’s Cyst?
The Bartholin’s glands, also known as the major vestibular glands, are a pair of glands located between the vagina and the vulva. These glands produce lubrication during penetration, reducing excessive friction and pain during sexual intercourse.
The lubricating fluid flows from the Bartholin’s glands into small ducts and ends at the bottom, the entrance of the vagina. If there is a blockage in this area, lubricating fluid accumulation occurs.
As a result, the duct expands, leading to the formation of a cyst known as Bartholin’s cyst. This often results in an infection that triggers an abscess.
A woman is more at risk of developing Bartholin’s cyst if she:
- Is young and sexually active.
- Has never been pregnant before.
- Has only experienced one pregnancy.
The size of the cyst varies, ranging from as small as a lentil to as large as a golf ball. Although this health condition is not typically contagious, gonorrhea is the most common cause of Bartholin’s cyst. Gonorrhea itself is a sexually transmitted disease that requires caution.
What Prevention Measures Can Be Taken?
Bartholin’s cyst can be managed through medical treatment or home remedies. Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent this cyst in women. However, because it is associated with gonorrhea as its cause, which falls into the category of sexually transmitted diseases, preventive measures you can take include practicing safe sex.
The use of protection may be necessary each time you engage in sexual intercourse. This is believed to help control the occurrence of Bartholin’s cyst in women. If you plan to have a child with your partner, ensure you undergo thorough pre-pregnancy checks, as should your partner.
