What Causes Bartholin Cysts to Recur and What Can Be Done to Stop it?

Women’s health is important – keeping up with your check-ups and follow-ups is essential to staying healthy and not running into any health problems. One of those health problems are Bartholin cysts. Bartholin cysts can be a one-time concern, but they can also be recurring, which can cause discomfort for some women. Because of this, it is important to understand how to treat them, as well as what causes them to recur and what you can do to prevent them in the future. But first, let’s take a quick look at what a Bartholin cyst actually is, and then we will dive into what causes them and how to treat them.

What is a Bartholin Cyst?

A Bartholin cyst is a cyst that occurs in the Bartholin’s glands just inside the opening to the vagina. These glands provide moisture to the vagina, and when these glands get blocked with fluid, they can build up and cause a cyst to form. These cysts can occur without symptoms, but for some women, they can become uncomfortable, painful, or infected, requiring medical attention to resolve.

How Common Are Bartholin Cysts?

Bartholin cysts are actually quite common. In fact, it is estimated that around two out of every ten women will develop these cysts at some point during their lifetime. While Bartholin cysts are most common in women of reproductive age, women of any age can develop the cysts.

How Are Bartholin Cysts Treated?

Bartholin cysts can be treated in a variety of ways. First, they can be treated at home if they are not too bothersome, causing issues, or infected. This is usually done with a warm bath, as it can help the cyst to disappear on its own.

However, a doctor’s attention is required if the cyst becomes painful or an infection is present. For larger Bartholin cysts, or ones that are bleeding, have leaking pus, or if you have a fever and severe pain, you will need medical attention from your doctor.

Doctors usually treat a Bartholin cyst by doing a CO2 laser procedure to drain and remove the cyst. This is very helpful, as it eliminates pressure and discomfort quickly and effectively without much downtime. This treatment works in most cases of those who develop Bartholin cysts.

Recurring Bartholin Cysts

Bartholin cysts can be a recurring problem in which many women develop them over and over again – sometimes right after having one of the cysts drained and removed. While there aren’t many answers as to what causes these cysts to recur, a few key ideas can help pinpoint why these cysts continue to form among some women. For one, women who have developed an injury during childbirth can be more susceptible to cysts. Another cause of frequent Bartholin cysts has been linked to the Bartholin glands becoming blocked with fluid due to a skin flap over the area, or the inability to drain the fluid from the glands properly. This can cause buildup as well as recurring cysts that can get infected or become problematic.

Recurring Bartholin cysts or cysts that do not respond well to traditional treatments, such as a CO2 laser procedure, are often treated through a surgical procedure known as Marsupialization. This procedure is a great way to treat these cysts. During the procedure, the doctor will make an incision into the area, then create a type of “pouch” inside that will give the glands space to properly drain any fluid that may begin to build up. Because the fluid can be drained this way, it is unlikely that another cyst will form. This is an excellent treatment for those who suffer from painful cysts and recurrent infections from them.

If you would like to learn more about Bartholin cysts, as well as how they can be treated and what to do if you have recurring cysts, call the office of Dr. Ghozland today at 310-393-9359, and we will be happy to help!