Do At-Home Treatments Work for Bartholin Cysts
When it comes to health concerns among women, it is estimated that about one in fifty women will develop Bartholin cysts at one point or another throughout their lifetime. While there are several treatment options available for these cysts, many people wonder whether or not a trip to the physician is actually necessary, or if they can do certain at-home treatments to minimize discomfort and help reduce irritation caused by the cysts. It is important to see a doctor if you think you might have a Bartholin cyst so that you can discuss your Bartholin cyst removal options.
What are Bartholin Cysts?
First, it is important to understand what a Bartholin cyst is and what causes it. A Bartholin cyst can occur when one or both of the Bartholin glands become blocked. The Bartholin glands are small glands at the opening of the vagina that excrete fluid. If one of these glands become blocked, the fluid has nowhere to go, causing a build-up that eventually turns into a cyst. If the cyst becomes infected, it can cause an abscess.
Causes of Abscess
Bartholin cyst abscesses are usually caused by bacteria, with E. Coli being the number one bacteria to cause infection. They can also be caused by certain sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.
Symptoms of Bartholin Cysts and Abscess
If you have a Bartholin cyst abscess, they tend to be quite painful, with pain on one side of the vagina where the cyst is located. Other symptoms of abscess are fever, pain with sitting, walking, or sexual intercourse, redness and hot feeling around the cyst, and the ability to feel a lump under the skin.
At-Home Treatments for Bartholin Cysts
While most Bartholin cysts can be removed by a physician, there are some steps that you can take to make yourself more comfortable while you are at home. One of the things you can do to help yourself feel better, ease pain and discomfort and get soothing relief is to take a sitz bath a few times a day for several days. However, getting proper medical care is essential, especially if you have an abscess, as they can rupture and potentially lead to blood poisoning.
Treating Bartholin Cysts
Bartholin cyst removal can be done at your doctor’s office through a procedure called CO2 laser treatment. This treatment can vaporize and remove the cysts without damage to the Bartholin glands themselves. The abscesses, which at one time required surgical draining, can now be treated in the same appointment with the CO2 laser. This procedure does not involve much pain or downtime and is frequently done in an outpatient setting.
For more information on Bartholin cyst removal, please call Dr. Ghozland today to set up an appointment.