Bartholin gland cyst - treatment, types of operations, causes

Humidification of the labia, especially increasing during sexual arousal and during intercourse, is provided with special glands located in the thickness of the large labia. The gland was first discovered and described by K. Bartolin, therefore in his honor they were named.

Bartholin glands are located at the base of the labia majora on both sides. They have rather long excretory ducts, which have an outlet on the mucosa of small lips from the inside. The glands produce a thick and viscous secret( lubricant), which moistens the entrance to the vagina, allowing the woman to not feel discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Sometimes, when visiting a gynecologist, a bartholin gland cyst is revealed in women - a pathological formation that is a thin-walled cavity( sac) filled with liquid contents.

What is it?

The bartholin gland cyst is a rounded formation that results from blockage of the excretory ducts. The secret for one reason or another can not stand out, accumulates, stretching the duct walls, and forms a sac filled with thick contents.

Causes cysts Bartholin gland

immediate cause formationcysts in Bartholin glands - infection and the development of inflammation. These can be sexual infections( gonorrhea, trichomonas, ureoplasm, chlamydia), fungal infection with frequent thrush in a woman, as well as a conditionally pathogenic microflora( staphylococcus, E. coli, streptococcus).

Indirect causes affecting cyst formation are:

• Irregular or poor-quality washing of the genital area. Toilet in the intimate zone should be held at least 2 times a day. A shower should be visited before and after intercourse. This applies to both men and women.
• Disturbance of drainage technique. Women are only allowed to wash the genitals under the running water from the front to the back to avoid infection with the intestinal stick from the anus region.
• Traumatization of the skin when removing hair in the bikini zone.
• Occupation of "hard" sex with damage to the tender mucous vestibule of the vagina.
• Squeezing and rubbing the skin in intimate places when wearing too narrow underwear or tight jeans.
• The use of synthetic lubricants in sexual relations, which can "clog" the ducts of the Bartholin glands.

Symptoms of Bartholin gland cyst

The appearance of symptoms of this disease is directly related to the size of the cyst formed, that is, with the severity of the process. If the cyst is small in size, then no subjective sensations a woman, most likely, will not feel.

Very often, such cysts are detected by a gynecologist at preventive examinations or when a girl or woman calls for another reason. As the cyst grows, symptoms appear that begin to bother and prevent you from following your usual lifestyle.

Signs of a cyst in the Bartholin gland as the symptoms increase:

1. One of the large labia( less often can be used both) has increased in size.
2. Tumor formation in the region of the labia becomes painful in sexual intercourse.
3. The cyst is greatly enlarged, soreness manifests itself when walking, physical activity.
4. The labia is greatly enlarged in size, a large tumor-like formation is felt, which is sharply painful on palpation, red in appearance, hotter. The body temperature of a woman is increased, movements of any kind become impossible due to pain in the genital area.
5. The most recent stage is the breakthrough of the cyst. The cyst is opened, the purulent contents flow out of it.

Diagnosis of cysts

If you suspect a cyst in the Bartholin glands, you should contact your gynecologist. Diagnosis of the disease includes a thorough examination of the patient in the gynecological chair and receiving smears.

It is necessary to determine the presence of diseases that could provoke the formation of a cyst.

Once the pathogen is identified, the doctor conducts a sensitivity test for antibiotics for the purpose of effective therapy.

Treatment of bartholin gland cyst without surgery

The choice of method of treatment is mainly on the shoulders of the gynecologist, but in some cases can be coordinated with the patient. If the size of the cyst is small, and it does not cause much suffering, the treatment is conservative.

If the cyst is prone to frequent relapses, and the woman is tired of constant fighting with it, then the doctor can offer surgery. With the consent of the patient, the cyst is removed promptly.

Types of non-surgical treatment of bartholin gland cysts:

• Small cysts often resolve themselves. This is due to the self-cleaning of the blocked duct. With a newly diagnosed cyst of a small size, the doctor may advise you to watch her for a while( in the absence of other gynecological diseases).
• Drug treatment is aimed at the cause of the occurrence of cyst - sex infections, fungal infection, infection with E. coli, etc. After identifying the infectious agent, the gynecologist will prescribe the appropriate drugs.
• Sitting baths with chamomile or manganese can be recommended as an auxiliary treatment.
• You can apply bandages with Vishnevsky ointment or ichthyol on the cyst area.

Operations with bartholin gland cyst - 7 methods

The need for surgery arises in cases when the cyst has greatly increased in size, has a pronounced pain symptom, and also in the case of a cyst in the abscess of the Bartholin gland( suppuration).

Cyst removal is performed with frequent relapses of the disease, regardless of the size of the formation.

Operations in the Bartholin gland can be performed in several variations. The choice of method depends on the stage of the disease, the presence of complications and the general condition of the patient.

1. Under marsupialization of Bartholin gland cysts, it is implied that the cyst is opened by a surgeon, the cavity is cleaned, and then the cyst edges are cut to the surgical incision. Thus, there remains an opening for the outflow.

2. The most gentle and modern method of treatment is vaporization of the Bartholin gland cyst. The procedure is performed by a laser. Does not require special preparation of the patient, it is carried out on an outpatient basis. The process of removing the cyst by a laser takes no more than half an hour in time.

The laser beam breaks the thick contents of the cyst, as if evaporating it. The procedure is painless and bloodless. After vaporization, the risk of recurrence is very low. The anatomical integrity of the genital organs is not disturbed.

3. Pregnant women are also not immune from this ailment. The bartholin gland cyst can make itself felt during pregnancy. Naturally, taking antibiotics and surgery during this period can harm a child. Leaving aside pathology, too, can not.

Gynecologists practice aspiration technique to remove the contents of the cyst. The cyst is punctured with a needle and aspiration of the fluid filling the formation is performed. Of course, the method is only a temporary relief of the condition. Most likely, after delivery, a woman will need to see a doctor for further treatment.

4. In some cases, a gynecologist may suggest installing a word-catheter into the cyst cavity. Installation is performed after opening and cleaning the cyst. In the cavity of cystic education, a small tube is inserted, which has a canister at the end for fixing.

It is recommended to wear the catheter for about a month. During this time, a new duct is formed on the site of the catheter, through which lubricants will be released.

5. Another method of forming an artificial duct is piercing at the site of a cyst. The principle is the same as when installing a catheter, only the inserted tube looks like a ring, and the cyst is pierced through its apex with a piercing needle.

Piercing allows you to create two channels at once, which reduces the risk of a recurrence twice. This method is performed under local anesthesia, almost painless and does not bring unpleasant sensations in a woman's life.

6. Cyst excision is a surgical technique in which the cyst should be separated from the surrounding soft tissue by a scalpel and removed together with the sheath. The method allows to exclude repeated formation of a cyst, but is very traumatic. Undergoing generalized anesthesia.

During the operation, the risk of losing large amounts of blood is high. The recovery period is painful and quite long. There is also the risk of scarring, which can bring unpleasant sensations and spoil the aesthetic appearance.

7. A radical method of treatment is the extirpation of the cyst along with the gland. Removal of the gland is carried out with too frequent relapses of the disease, as well as inefficiency of the above methods.

Cure for extirpation of the gland is 100%, but the operation itself has a lot of shortcomings, so this method is not very popular. In addition, after removing the gland, the lubricant will also disappear. And this will affect the quality of sexual life, which is especially important for young women.

Prevention of the formation of the bartholin gland cyst

Prevention of the appearance of a cyst is reduced to adherence to intimate hygiene, prevention of sexual infections and strengthening of the body's immune system.

A woman should carefully monitor the purity of the genitals, wear comfortable and quality underwear, avoid hypothermia, have only protected sexual intercourse and regularly visit a gynecologist.