Patient's question:
I started experiencing swelling below the urethral opening after having sex with my husband in July last year. The swelling was located below the urethral opening and above the vaginal opening, and I had some difficulty urinating. Later, after taking medication and soaking in a bath, the cyst burst, releasing some purulent with blood streaks. This year, during another sexual encounter with my husband, I felt some pain because he entered more forcefully, and the next day the same area swelled again. I again took the same medication and soaked in a bath, but this time a lot of blood was squeezed out without any purulent. Usually, it takes 7-10 days to mature, and then some discharge resolves the issue.Current condition: Now there is no swelling, but on the right side of the urethral opening.
Doctor's answer:
Hello:Normal female urethral orifices are surrounded by two small glands, one on each side, which open side by side at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions of the urethral orifice in the lithotomy position. These are called paraurethral glands (Skene glands). Additionally, the posterior part of the female urethra has mucous-secreting glands, such as the size of soybeans, one on each side, which open inward into the groove between the posterior labia minora and the hymen, known as Bartholin glands.
Paraurethral cysts refer to cystic structures formed by the glands surrounding the urethra and urethral diverticula. These cysts develop due to factors such as inflammation or other causes, where the glandular openings become blocked and fail to communicate with the urethra. Cystic tissues surrounding the urethra that remain connected to it are called urethral diverticula (urethrocele). Urethral diverticula can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cases are often developmental defects caused by the failure of the mesonephric ducts to close, resulting in communication with the urethra. Acquired cases result from glandular infection, dilation, and subsequent connection with the urethra [2].
Paraurethral cysts are most common in adult women aged 20–40, though they occasionally occur in children shortly after birth to 10 years old. Due to limited information about your specific condition, please consult your treating physician for detailed advice. sss