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Bartholin's cyst excision
- Rapid access to consultant gynaecologists
- Dedicated women's health facilities
- Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options
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Bartholin’s cyst at HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we understand the discomfort and worry that a Bartholin's cyst or any new lump can cause. It’s why we offer fast access to our experienced consultant gynaecologists, who can quickly diagnose your lump or cyst and recommend the best form of treatment.
We offer a range of treatment options for a Bartholin’s cyst, from painkillers and antibiotics to drainage and surgery. Your consultant will carefully tailor the treatment to your symptoms, and you’ll receive dedicated aftercare and advice from our women’s health team.
We offer a range of treatment options for a Bartholin’s cyst, from painkillers and antibiotics to drainage and surgery. Your consultant will carefully tailor the treatment to your symptoms, and you’ll receive dedicated aftercare and advice from our women’s health team.
The Bartholin’s glands lie near the entrance to the vagina. The glands make a fluid that lubricates the vagina. Sometimes the tiny ducts (tubes) that carry the fluid from the glands can become blocked. This can cause a swelling, which you can feel and may be painful, called a Bartholin’s cyst (a fluid-filled lump). If the cyst becomes infected, this is known as a Bartholin’s abscess.
Our consultant gynaecologists can help if you’ve found a lump in your vagina or you think you have a Bartholin's cyst.
Our consultant gynaecologists can help if you’ve found a lump in your vagina or you think you have a Bartholin's cyst.
Around one in every 50 women develops a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess. You're more likely to develop them if you’re aged between 20 and 30 and sexually active, but they can occur in any age group. They're less common after menopause, as hormonal changes in your body make the glands shrink.
In most cases, the cause is unknown and there is little that can be done to prevent the cyst from forming. In a few cases, a Bartholin’s abscess may be caused by the normal bacteria in the vagina infecting the cyst. On rare occasions, it may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
In most cases, the cause is unknown and there is little that can be done to prevent the cyst from forming. In a few cases, a Bartholin’s abscess may be caused by the normal bacteria in the vagina infecting the cyst. On rare occasions, it may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Symptoms can vary, depending on the size of the cyst and if it’s become infected.
- A small, uninfected cyst can often cause a painless lump. This may only be discovered when undergoing routine examinations, such as a cervical smear.
- A larger cyst may cause pain in or near your vagina. This may be felt when sitting, moving, wiping yourself after using the toilet, or during sex.
- Infected cysts (also known as abscesses) are typically more painful. As well as the above, they may cause discharge and fever or flu-like symptoms due to an infection.
It’s important that if you notice a lump in your vagina that you see your GP or a gynaecologist as soon as possible so they can rule out any other causes and treat the cyst.
A Bartholin's cyst may not requirement treatment if it’s small, does not cause you any discomfort and there’s no sign of a more serious condition. However, if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, then we may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Soaking the cyst
Soaking the cyst or abscess in warm water, or using a warm compress, several times a day for 10-15 minutes, can relieve discomfort and help it drain on its own.
Painkillers
Standard over-the-counter medicines, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can help relieve pain. Always follow packet instructions.
Antibiotics
If a Bartholin's cyst becomes infected, it can turn into an abscess, which is a build-up of pus. This will be more painful. A course of antibiotics can help clear the infection and manage associated symptoms.
Bartholin's cyst incision and drainage
This common and effective treatment for abscesses involves carefully making a small opening in the cyst to allow the pus to escape, providing immediate relief from pain and pressure.
This procedure usually only takes 5-10 minutes and is often performed under local anaesthetic, although general anaesthetic may be used in some cases. To ensure the cyst doesn't close and refill, a small tube (called a Word catheter) might be placed where the opening has been made and filled with sterile fluid. This typically remains in place for three to four weeks, allowing any remaining fluid to drain and new cells to grow around it.
Bartholin’s cyst surgery
If you've experienced several cysts and abscesses, you may be recommended to have surgery to remove the Bartholin's gland and prevent it from getting infected again. The operation, known as marsupialisation, is done under general anaesthetic, and involves a small cut in the cyst or abscess to drain the fluid. It usually takes 10-15 minutes.
As a result of the excision, your gland will no longer work. This means that your body will produce less mucus.
Full recovery usually takes around two weeks. This Bartholin's gland cyst treatment is only suggested when all of the above treatments have not been effective and the issue returns multiple times.
Soaking the cyst
Soaking the cyst or abscess in warm water, or using a warm compress, several times a day for 10-15 minutes, can relieve discomfort and help it drain on its own.
Painkillers
Standard over-the-counter medicines, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can help relieve pain. Always follow packet instructions.
Antibiotics
If a Bartholin's cyst becomes infected, it can turn into an abscess, which is a build-up of pus. This will be more painful. A course of antibiotics can help clear the infection and manage associated symptoms.
Bartholin's cyst incision and drainage
This common and effective treatment for abscesses involves carefully making a small opening in the cyst to allow the pus to escape, providing immediate relief from pain and pressure.
This procedure usually only takes 5-10 minutes and is often performed under local anaesthetic, although general anaesthetic may be used in some cases. To ensure the cyst doesn't close and refill, a small tube (called a Word catheter) might be placed where the opening has been made and filled with sterile fluid. This typically remains in place for three to four weeks, allowing any remaining fluid to drain and new cells to grow around it.
Bartholin’s cyst surgery
If you've experienced several cysts and abscesses, you may be recommended to have surgery to remove the Bartholin's gland and prevent it from getting infected again. The operation, known as marsupialisation, is done under general anaesthetic, and involves a small cut in the cyst or abscess to drain the fluid. It usually takes 10-15 minutes.
As a result of the excision, your gland will no longer work. This means that your body will produce less mucus.
Full recovery usually takes around two weeks. This Bartholin's gland cyst treatment is only suggested when all of the above treatments have not been effective and the issue returns multiple times.
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Your Bartholin’s cyst treatment at HCA UK
What to expect
At HCA UK, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible during your time with us. One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect when you see one of our gynaecologists and have treatment with us.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQs section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQs section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you have self-referred or have a referral from a GP, the first step is always an initial consultation with one of our gynaecologists.
They’ll take the time to talk to you about your symptoms and ask about your medical history. Your consultant will carry out a physical examination so they can look at the cyst. They’ll assess its size, location and any signs of infection, so they can make a diagnosis.
In some cases, if there’s discharge, a swab might be taken to identify any underlying infection. If you’re over 40 or have gone through menopause and have a new lump, a biopsy may be recommended as a precautionary measure to rule out other conditions, such as cancer.
They’ll take the time to talk to you about your symptoms and ask about your medical history. Your consultant will carry out a physical examination so they can look at the cyst. They’ll assess its size, location and any signs of infection, so they can make a diagnosis.
In some cases, if there’s discharge, a swab might be taken to identify any underlying infection. If you’re over 40 or have gone through menopause and have a new lump, a biopsy may be recommended as a precautionary measure to rule out other conditions, such as cancer.
02
Treatment
Once your consultant has diagnosed your Bartholin’s cyst, they’ll recommend a treatment plan based on the size of the cyst and your symptoms. At HCA UK, we offer a range of treatments, from simple self-care measures for smaller cysts, to procedures such as incision and drainage for larger cysts. In cases of recurrent cysts, we can offer surgical removal of the Bartholin's gland.
If your cyst requires surgical treatment, your consultant will explain the procedure in detail so you know what to expect. They’ll take the time to answer any questions you may have.
If your cyst requires surgical treatment, your consultant will explain the procedure in detail so you know what to expect. They’ll take the time to answer any questions you may have.
03
Follow-up care
Following your treatment, our team will provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions to support your recovery. If you’ve had incision and drainage, this will include guidance on hygiene, the use of sitz baths (this is a small bath for the perineal area, which is the space between the anus and genitals) and any necessary follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.
If you’ve undergone surgery, we’ll provide detailed information on pain management, wound care and when you can safely resume your normal activities. Our team is always here to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have during your recovery.
If you’ve undergone surgery, we’ll provide detailed information on pain management, wound care and when you can safely resume your normal activities. Our team is always here to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have during your recovery.
Locations
Where can I have treatment for my Bartholin’s cyst?
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Bartholin’s cyst FAQs
While it's not always possible to prevent a Bartholin's cyst, practising good hygiene, such as gentle washing of the vulvar area, may help reduce the risk of infection. Safe sex can also help prevent sexually transmitted infections, which can sometimes be a contributing factor. However, Bartholin's cysts can occur even with the best hygiene practices.
Small Bartholin's cysts that aren't causing any discomfort sometimes disappear on their own without any treatment. If the cyst bursts on its own, keeping the area clean will help prevent further infection. Don't be tempted to squeeze or pop the cyst yourself, as this could lead to a more serious infection.
Larger cysts or those that are painful or infected usually require medical intervention. A cyst that has become an abscess will generally need to be treated through antibiotics or drained by a consultant.
Larger cysts or those that are painful or infected usually require medical intervention. A cyst that has become an abscess will generally need to be treated through antibiotics or drained by a consultant.
You can try soaking the area in a warm bath (or use a sitz bath) for 10-15 minutes several times a day for a few days, or use a warm compress. If the cyst is painful, you can take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Always follow packet instructions.
If symptoms don't improve after a few days, or if you develop signs of infection, such as pus, increased pain, or redness, it’s important to see your GP or one of our expert gynaecologists. They’ll be able to properly diagnose your Bartholin’s cyst and recommend the best treatment for your symptoms.
If symptoms don't improve after a few days, or if you develop signs of infection, such as pus, increased pain, or redness, it’s important to see your GP or one of our expert gynaecologists. They’ll be able to properly diagnose your Bartholin’s cyst and recommend the best treatment for your symptoms.
While soaking is often a good way to treat a Bartholin’s cyst, we recommend that you see your GP or one of our gynaecologists if any of the following apply:
- The cyst is painful: Soaking may not be enough if the cyst is painful.
- The cyst hasn’t improved: See a doctor if the cyst doesn't get better after a few days of soaking.
- It’s become infected: A doctor may need to drain the pus or prescribe antibiotics if the cyst is infected or grows larger.
- If the cyst is very large: Large cysts often require medical intervention.
Several other conditions can cause lumps or discomfort in the vulvar area and might be mistaken for a Bartholin's cyst. These can include other types of cysts, boils, a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa, or, in rare cases, cancer. It's important to have any new or concerning lumps examined by a GP or gynaecologist for an accurate diagnosis.
If you want to see a GP quickly, we can offer fast access to private GP appointments, with same-day and next-day appointments available.
If you want to see a GP quickly, we can offer fast access to private GP appointments, with same-day and next-day appointments available.
A Bartholin's cyst itself is generally not dangerous. However, if it becomes infected and forms an abscess, it can be very painful and uncomfortable. In rare cases, an untreated infection could potentially spread. See your GP or a gynaecologist as soon as possible if you develop a painful lump or notice signs of infection, such as increasing pain, redness, swelling or fever.
A Bartholin’s cyst is a painless, fluid-filled lump caused by the ducts (tubed) leading to the Bartholin’s gland becoming blocked. An abscess is when a cyst becomes infected and fills with pus. If your Bartholin’s cyst becomes infected, this is known as a Bartholin’s abscess. Abscesses are very painful and the skin around the abscess can become red, hot and swollen. At HCA UK, we offer a range of treatment options to treat a Bartholin’s abscess.
As the cyst forms in the vagina, it does not affect a pregnancy. However, it’s important to tell your maternity team if you notice any lumps in your vagina. This is because if the cyst becomes infected and develops into an abscess, this can be harmful to your baby. Your team will be able to monitor your Bartholin’s cyst and provide the safest form of treatment during your pregnancy.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.