women s health issues
Bartholin Gland Cyst and Bartholin Gland Abscess
Treatment of Bartholin Gland Cysts or Abscesses
Soaking the area in warm water For abscesses, a procedure to drain them If a Bartholin gland cyst causes severe symptoms or occurs in women over 40, surgery Regardless of treatment, cysts sometimes recur. If they do, the entire Bartholin gland may be removed. If a Bartholin gland cyst causes little or no pain, women under 40 may be able to treat it themselves. They can use a sitz bath or soak in a few inches of warm water in a tub. Soaks should last 10 to 15 minutes and be done 2 times a day. Sometimes cysts disappear after a few days of such treatment. If the treatment is ineffective, women should see a doctor. In women under 40, cysts require treatment only if they cause symptoms. Draining a cyst is usually ineffective because cysts commonly recur. Thus, surgery may be done to make a permanent opening from the gland’s duct to the surface of the vulva. Then, if the cyst develops again, it can drain out. After a local anesthetic is injected to numb the site, one of the following procedures can be done: Placement of a catheter:A small incision is made in the cyst so that a small balloon-tipped tube (catheter) can be inserted into the cyst. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, and the catheter is left there for 4 to 6 weeks, so that a permanent opening can form. The catheter is inserted and removed in the doctor’s office. A woman can do her normal activities while the catheter is in place, although sexual activity may be uncomfortable. Marsupialization:Doctors make a small cut in the cyst and stitch the inside edges of the cyst to the surface of the vulva. Marsupialization creates a permanent opening in the cyst so that the cyst can drain as needed. This procedure is done in an operating room. Sometimes general anesthesia is needed. After these procedures, women may have a discharge for a few weeks. Usually, wearing panty liners is all that is needed. Taking sitz baths several times a day may help relieve any discomfort and help speed healing. If a cyst recurs, it may be surgically removed. This procedure is done in an operating room. In women aged 40 or older, all Bartholin gland cysts must be treated, except for those that have been present for years and have not changed in appearance. Treatment involves Surgically removing the entire cyst Removing part of the cyst to test for cancer, then marsupializing the cyst For an abscess, initial treatment involves making a small incision into the abscess and placing a catheter in it to drain it. If the abscess refills after being drained, marsupialization, which creates a permanent opening, may be done to prevent the abscess from refilling. Sometimes abscesses are also treated with antibiotics. If Cellulitis develops, antibiotics are given by mouth for 1 week in addition to draining the abscess. A woman may need to be hospitalized, depending on how ill she is. 