Bartholin glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening and secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina during sexual intercourse and natural times. Sometimes the openings of these glands become blocked, causing fluid to back up into the gland. The result is a relatively painless swelling called a Bartholin cyst. If the fluid in the cyst becomes infected, a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue may develop. We call this Bartholin abscess.
It may be one of the most common and annoying conditions of women's life. While it may regress and heal intermittently, it may swell again, especially during or after sexual activity, and the fluid inside may become infected. Sometimes, the pus may find a way on its own and flow out. You are lucky if this does not recur and cause deformity. However, sometimes, healing may occur in the form of stiffness and deformity, which we call contracture.
Treatment of a Bartholin's cyst depends on the size of the cyst, how painful the cyst is, and whether the cyst is infected. Sometimes home treatment is all you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the Bartholin cyst is required. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be helpful to treat an infected Bartholin cyst. If you have a Bartholin cyst that is small and uninfected, you may not notice it. If the cyst grows, you may feel a lump or balloon-shaped mass near the vaginal opening.
A full-blown infection of a Bartholin's cyst may occur within a few days. If the cyst becomes infected, you will experience pain in walking, sitting, and intercourse. It usually occurs on only one side.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have a painful lump near the opening of the vagina, if it has not subsided within a few days, if it is painfully swollen and red, please see us. .
What to expect from your doctor?
Some potential questions your doctor may ask include: How long have you had symptoms? How severe are your symptoms? Do you experience pain during intercourse? Do you feel pain during normal daily activities? Does anything improve your symptoms? Does anything make your symptoms worse?
TREATMENTS AND MEDICATIONS
Usually a Bartholin's cyst requires no treatment - especially if the cyst does not cause any signs or symptoms. When needed, treatment depends on the size of the cyst, your level of discomfort, and whether it is infected, which can result in an abscess. A warm water sitz bath several times a day for several days may help a small, infected cyst rupture and drain on its own for three or four days. If not, surgery may be required to drain a cyst that is infected or very large.
Drainage of a cyst can be done using local anesthesia or sedation.
For the procedure, your doctor makes a small incision in the cyst, ensures its drainage, and then sometimes inserts a small rubber tube (catheter) into the incision. The catheter remains in place for up to six weeks to keep the incision open and ensure complete drainage. Sometimes we remove the cyst directly and close it surgically.
If your cyst becomes infected or tests show that it is a sexually transmitted infection, I may prescribe an antibiotic. But if the abscess is drained properly, you may not need antibiotics.
Pre-Operation Interview
During the interview, your current complaints and post-operative expectations are first evaluated. Write down your symptoms, including those that are unrelated to your condition. Make a list of any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take along with their doses. Take a notebook or notebook to write down information during your visit. Prepare questions to ask your doctor, listing the most important questions and filling them in first. For a Bartholin's cyst, some basic questions to ask are: What is causing the symptoms? What kind of tests might I need? Will the cyst go away on its own or will I need treatment? How long should I wait after treatment before having sex? What self-care measures can relieve my symptoms? Will the cyst come back? I will inform you about the details of the operation.
Operation Age
It can be applied to any woman. The most important point we take as a basis here is that body development is completed, this is often the case between 18-20. It is around 10 years old. Inner and outer lip operations do not damage the hymen. It does not prevent pregnancy, sexual intercourse and orgasm.
Preparation for the Operation Time
Aspirin and similar drugs are stopped one week before the operation. (Do not stop taking the medication you are using regularly without consulting your doctor) It is recommended not to smoke for a while before and after the operation, it impairs tissue healing. When you come to the hospital on the day of the operation, it is important that you stay hungry and thirsty for 6-8 hours, wear comfortable clothes and leave your jewelry at home. You should be at the hospital approximately one hour before the operation. When you arrive at your reserved room, you will be given an oral medication if you wish, which will relax you.
Operation Technique
If the Bartholin cyst is large and recurs frequently, it can be removed by surgery. Bartholin cyst and abscess treatment; It can be performed under local or sedation anesthesia. The surgical method is the Marsupialization technique, which is to mouth the cyst wall outwards. Type of Anesthesia Bartholin cyst operation is usually performed under local anesthesia and sedation. Vaginal tightening is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.
Operation Duration
Depending on the size of the operation, it takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Healing Process The patient is discharged on the same day, regular dressing and regional hygiene are emphasized. You can return to your daily life after the operation. Since absorbable stitches are used, there is no need to remove stitches. Antibiotics are used for one week. There is no serious pain. Sexual intercourse and bathing in the bathtub are not recommended for the first ten days. You can take a warm shower on the 2nd day after the operation.
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