Patient's question:
Hello, Dr. Liu!My lump is not at the G-spot; it's inside the right wall of the vagina. It's not inside the vagina itself, but in the nearby tissue. When I touch the side of the vagina, I can feel a hard lump, but it doesn't hurt or itch.
What kind of lump is this? Do I need surgery?
Doctor's answer:
Is it the labia minora? It could be a Bartholin's gland cyst. If the cyst is small and not infected, the patient usually has no symptoms and it is often discovered accidentally during a gynecological examination. This type can usually be left untreated. If the cyst is large, the patient may experience a sensation of fullness or discomfort during intercourse and should seek medical attention. If there is a secondary infection, and the acute inflammation of the Bartholin's gland is not promptly controlled, it can develop into a Bartholin's gland abscess. The pathogens are usually a mixed infection of Staphylococcus, E. coli, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Gonococcus, among others. Once an abscess forms, symptoms such as fever, local redness and swelling, severe pain, and even the inability to walk may occur. The abscess can reach a diameter of 5 to 6 centimeters, and sometimes it may rupture spontaneously due to high pressure, requiring immediate medical attention.Bartholin's gland cysts are generally treated with a fistulostomy, while Bartholin's gland abscesses require initial systemic antibiotic use, local heat application or sitz baths. Once the abscess forms and there is a clear fluctuation sensation locally, it can be drained through incision and followed by a fistulostomy.