Patient's question:
Vaginal gland cyst, now the labia majora are swollen severely and extremely painful! 23 years old, nulliparous, vaginal gland cyst, first episode, onset time about more than a week. At the onset, the right vulva was swollen and painful, with a very large hard lump. After taking traditional Chinese medicine and sitting in a traditional Chinese medicine bath, the hard lump has almost disappeared, the vulva swelling has almost subsided, and the pus has drained spontaneously. However, now the right labia majora are extremely painful and swollen severely, making it very unbearable. Usually, the only position possible is lying flat in bed.Doctor's answer:
Hello! The Bartholin's glands are responsible for secreting mucus to lubricate the vagina. They originally have their own openings, but if inflammation or debris blocks the mucus from being expelled, the glands can swell and form Bartholin's gland cysts. If the swelling becomes severe, it may rupture on its own, releasing pus and then healing. However, the rupture site will close, leading to recurrent swelling and recurrence.Recommendations: Bartholin's gland cysts can persist for a long time, remaining unchanged for years. If they do not interfere with daily life, regular observation is sufficient, and treatment is not necessary. If the cyst gradually grows and becomes inflamed or painful, antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, cephalexin, etc.) can be taken for treatment. If there are recurrent infections and frequent formation of abscesses, a Bartholin's gland cyst marsupialization surgery may be performed.
This is a minor gynecological procedure that can be done in an outpatient clinic without the need for hospitalization. During the surgery, the cyst is dissected and the opening is sutured, preserving the gland's function while ensuring proper drainage and preventing recurrence.
After treatment, it is important to maintain cleanliness in the external genital area, avoid wearing synthetic underwear, and change underwear frequently to prevent contamination from vaginal secretions, urine, and feces. I hope this is helpful to you.