published on 12/19/2019 • adapted to the French-speaking Belgian context • https://www.infosante.be
A patient guide is a tool designed to help you make choices for your health. It offers you information based on scientific research. It explains what you can do to improve your health or what professionals can offer you during a consultation. Good reading !
What is it about ?
Bartholin’s glands are 2 glands located in the wall of the vagina, rather towards the back. They measure about 1 cm and produce secretions that lubricate the entrance to the vagina. The small duct through which these secretions flow measures about 2 cm and opens on the inner face of the back part of the labia minora. When this duct is blocked, secretions build up in the gland, creating a cyst that can be infected with bacteria and form an abscess. This inflammation is called bartholinitis.
What is its frequency?
About 2% of women experience Bartholin gland disease at one time or another.
How to recognize it?
- a cyst may be present without causing symptoms. A small lump is palpable in the wall of the vagina. If the cyst gets bigger, it can cause pain during sex.
- A cyst can become infected and form a very painful abscess, which causes discomfort when you sit down and when you walk. You may also have a fever.
- A mild infection of the Bartholin gland is accompanied by a small discharge of pus from the canal to the interior of the vagina.
How is the diagnosis made?
- The doctor almost always makes the diagnosis on the occasion of a simple gynecological examination. He sends a sample of pus or vaginal secretion to the laboratory.
- In order to exclude a STI (sexually transmitted infection), including gonorrhea or Chlamydia infection, your doctor may also perform a test.
- If in doubt, a ultrasound is carried out.
- If symptoms persist despite treatment, a biopsy is programmed: a small piece of tissue is taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
What can your doctor do?
Cyst
- a cyst that does not cause any disturbance does not necessarily have to be treated.
- If he’s embarrassing, the cyst is treated by ‘marsupialization’ i.e. that the cyst is open and the walls are folded up and attached to the mucous membranes. It is also possible to insert a catheter. The advantage of these techniques is that they preserve the gland. The gland will only be removed after other treatments have failed.
Abscess
- In the presence of a abscess, a small incision is made under local anesthesia in the wall of the vagina. The pus can then drain out. Sometimes the doctor prescribes antibiotics.
- In case of’nascent abscess, we can try to be satisfied with an antibiotic therapy. But a little intervention is required in most cases.
Between 5 and 15% of women develop a new abscess or cyst after the incision.
An alternative treatment is to insert a small catheter under local anesthesia. This will allow the pus to drain. A balloon will then be inflated in the abscess cavity. The catheter should remain in place for 3 weeks.