Patient's question:
A painless swelling the size of a chicken egg has grown on one side of the vulva.Doctor's answer:
Bartholin's cyst (also known as Bartholin's gland) is another name for a vestibular gland cyst. The Bartholin's glands are located at the posterior part of the labia majora, with their ducts opening on the inner side of the labia minora near the hymen. When the secretion of the Bartholin's glands is obstructed and accumulates in the ducts, it causes cystic expansion of the glands, leading to the formation of Bartholin's cyst. The main symptom is swelling of one labia majora compared to the other. Since Bartholin's cysts can persist for a long time without changing, if they do not interfere with daily life, they can be monitored regularly without treatment. If the cyst gradually grows or recurs with frequent infections, forming abscesses, a Bartholin's cyst drainage procedure can be performed. Bartholin's cyst treatment can be done in a gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic without the need for hospitalization. The drainage procedure involves dissecting the cyst and then suturing the opening, which preserves the function of the gland while ensuring proper drainage and preventing recurrence. After treatment, it is important to maintain cleanliness in the external genital area, avoid wearing synthetic underwear, change underwear frequently, and prevent contamination from vaginal secretions, urine, and feces.