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January 15, 2023

What’s a Bartholin Cyst and Do I Need to Drain it?

Just as a pressure valve releases built-up pressure in a system, a Bartholin cyst drain helps to release the built-up fluid in a Bartholin cyst, providing relief and allowing the cyst to heal. Just as a pressure valve must be opened and closed carefully to regulate the pressure within a system, a Bartholin cyst drain should be inserted and removed carefully by a trained medical professional to ensure the proper functioning of the cyst and prevent further complications.

Bartholin cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs that can form in the Bartholin gland (a part of the female genital tract) and cause pain or discomfort. Bartholin gland cysts typically occur when an opening between the vagina and the gland becomes blocked with mucus or dead skin cells. Because they’re connected to your menstrual cycle, they’re more likely to appear during ovulation than at other times during your cycle.

However, these cysts can develop at any time when there’s an obstruction in this area. A Bartholin cyst might be painful enough that doctors recommend draining it. That is, opening up its wall to release fluid or pus into your vagina and prevent infection from spreading deeper into your body. 

Are you a Miami resident looking to get a Bartholin cyst drain treatment? Read on for more information about how incision and drainage work.

What Is Bartholin Cyst And Abscesses?

Bartholin cysts or abscesses are infections of the Bartholin glands. The cyst is a fluid-filled lump near the opening of the vagina (the vaginal canal). This opening is called the introitus, or vestibule. It can feel like something small and moveable under your skin. The cyst can also cause swelling in the area around it. A Bartholin abscess is an infected cyst.

Bartholin cysts are a type of noncancerous tumor that forms on the Bartholin gland, which is a small gland located near the opening of your vagina. The cyst may cause pain or discomfort and can be drained with a minor surgical procedure. Large, painful Bartholin cysts may require surgery to remove them entirely.

What Causes A Bartholin Gland Cyst?

The Bartholin gland cyst occurs when the glands swell, opening up and releasing infection-causing bacteria into the surrounding area. The swelling and bacterial infection in the gland can cause a collection of fluid and pus to form in the space between your vagina and anus, called your perineum.

The cyst occurs when a gland becomes infected, usually by a bacteria called staphylococcus. Other things that contribute to a Bartholin gland cyst include:

  • Hormone imbalances.
  • Trauma to the area during sex or exercise.
  • Friction from tight clothing or jeans.
  • Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Birth control devices containing hormones.
  • Obesity and diabetes.

During pregnancy, the body produces more estrogen. The increased level of estrogen causes the Bartholin glands to increase in size and fill with fluid. As the pregnancy progresses, the cysts may become painful. Although Bartholin cysts can form for no apparent reason. At this stage, it is advised to visit a doctor and if you are in Miami, you should reach out to Dr. Susan Fox Center For Women.

Bartholin cysts are a common cause of swelling, tenderness, and soreness in the groin area. Some women may experience symptoms including a Painful, swollen lump in the vulvar area. The vulvar tissue next to the cyst often feels warm, swollen, and tender to the touch. Discharge from the cyst may range from clear/yellowish vaginal discharge to watery or bloody red urine-like discharge. Pain; This usually worsens with walking, exercise, and sexual intercourse.

How Is Bartholin’s Cyst Treated?

Bartholin cysts are treated with the use of local anesthesia and a small incision. In most cases, a cyst is drained with a needle or catheter. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection from developing. This can either be done by a doctor or by using an endoscope (small tube), which is inserted into your vagina and used to drain the cyst.

A small, infected cyst may burst and drain on its own if you soak in a tub with a few inches of warm water (sitz bath) several times a day for three or four days. In cases of chronic Bartholin gland swelling, surgical removal may be performed but this is considered more invasive and has a higher risk for complications, including permanent scarring.

What is a Bartholin Cyst Incision And Drainage?

A Bartholin Cyst incision and drainage is a procedure to remove infection and fluids from a cyst to help it heal. A cyst is a pocket that fills with fluid, which can be infected or non-infected. It often occurs in young women, who may notice it because of painful swelling near the opening of their vagina.

The Bartholin cyst drain is a procedure where a small needle is inserted into the glands that produce fluid to drain out any of the cysts. The goal is to avoid the need for surgery. This procedure can be done via a minor incision or with an endoscope which is introduced through the vagina. The process of draining the cysts with a needle is called Cyst aspiration.

Cyst aspiration is a simple procedure that can be performed in your doctor’s office or as an outpatient procedure. The cyst will usually be drained by a needle, but it can also be done by removing the entire cyst through small incisions. The medical staff may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection after the procedure. The incisions are made along the sides of the opening of the vaginal canal. This allows for direct access to tissues inside the lower part of a woman’s pelvic cavity and includes structures such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.

Once you drain the fluid and pus from the cyst wall, sutures are used to close up any small rips in the skin. After your procedure, you’ll have to wear a pad on your undergarments for at least a few days to protect sutures that have been placed through your labia minora (inner “lips” of the vagina).

After the Bartholin cyst drain procedure, the wound will be stitched up. Most women who have this procedure do not need to take antibiotics after their surgery. But if you do, you should follow your doctor’s instructions. You may also need to take pain medication for a few days after your procedure. Your doctor will let you know how many days off work or school you should plan on taking. It is important that any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise be avoided until the stitches are healed (about two weeks).

Are There Any Risks From A Bartholin Cyst Incision And Drainage?

Draining a Bartholin cyst is a relatively safe procedure, but it does carry some risks. You may experience some pain or discomfort after the procedure. Bleeding, infection, and sometimes nerve damage are also possible complications from cyst drainage, so you’ll need to watch out for signs of these conditions.

Risks from the Bartholin cyst drain incision may also include scarring and possible recurrence. The wound should heal in less than a month, and any pain caused by the procedure should subside within a few days. You may experience swelling and tenderness, which can be alleviated by cold compresses and rest.

The Bottom Line

If you are searching for Bartholin cyst treatment, then cyst drainage is a safe and effective way to get rid of the condition and maintain a healthy genital area. Bartholin cyst drain is made with medical-grade materials that are inserted into the opening of your cyst. This can increase blood flow and flush out any excess fluid before it can overflow the site.

Many doctors may suggest that you can try some at-home treatments, but the draining of the cyst is always recommended by medical professionals and health care providers. This is because most people find that this helps a lot with getting rid of the pain and swelling of the infected Bartholin cyst for a long period of time.

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