The openings of the Bartholin’s glands are located at either side of the vaginal entrance.
They can get blocked by something like an infection.
If this happens, the buildup of fluid leads to a cyst.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
This article will go over the symptoms and causes of a Bartholin’s cyst and how it is treated.
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Bartholin cysts are soft and do not hurt.
Most will get better on their own without any problems.
Some people with a Bartholin cyst may have an uncomfortable ache with movement or during sexual intercourse.
Others may not see a physical lump but notice generalized swelling of thevulva.
However, it is possible for the cyst to become infected with bacteria.
If this happens, a pus-filled mass called anabscesscan form.
Symptoms of an abscessed Bartholin cyst include:
The cause of a Bartholin’s cyst is often unknown.
It’s most common in sexually active people between the ages of 20 and 30.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider can diagnose a Bartholin’s cyst by doing a pelvic exam.
You may also need to take a daily course of antibiotics for seven days.
If you have gonorrhea, a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone is generally recommended.
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