The Bartholin glands are small structures located on each side of the vaginal opening that secrete fluid to lubricate the vulva. Occasionally, the ducts become obstructed, causing fluid to back up and form a Bartholin cyst. These cysts affect approximately two out of every 10 women during their childbearing years. While sometimes painless, they often cause significant discomfort, pain, and swelling, leading people to search for immediate relief.
The Immediate Answer: Why Self-Draining is Dangerous
Never attempt to manually drain, squeeze, or “pop” a Bartholin cyst at home. Introducing non-sterile objects or applying excessive pressure risks injuring the delicate vulvar tissue. The primary danger is introducing external bacteria into the cyst cavity, which rapidly leads to a severe infection known as a Bartholin abscess.
A simple cyst is a fluid-filled sac, but an abscess is a painful collection of pus requiring professional medical treatment. Attempting to drain it yourself is unlikely to be successful, as the duct blockage often remains, leading to incomplete drainage and immediate recurrence. Self-draining increases the risk of cellulitis, a spreading bacterial skin infection, and may delay seeking appropriate medical care.
Understanding the Bartholin Cyst and Gland
The two Bartholin glands are positioned deep within the posterior aspect of the labia majora, with their ducts opening just inside the vaginal entrance. These glands produce a mucus-like fluid that contributes to vaginal lubrication, particularly during sexual arousal. A cyst forms when the duct opening becomes blocked, often due to irritation, trauma, or infection.
The trapped fluid accumulates, causing the gland to swell into a cyst that can range in size from a small pea to a golf ball. While a simple cyst is typically a soft, painless mass, it becomes an abscess when the trapped fluid is infected by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. An abscess causes acute pain, tenderness, redness, and significant swelling, often making sitting or walking difficult.
At-Home Symptom Management
Safe, non-invasive methods focus on encouraging the cyst to drain naturally. The most effective home remedy is the use of warm sitz baths, which involves soaking the affected area in a few inches of warm water. This encourages blood flow and may facilitate the spontaneous drainage of the cyst.
Sitz baths should be performed for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day, for several consecutive days. If a full bath is not possible, a warm, clean compress can be gently held against the cyst for similar durations. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be taken as directed to manage the discomfort and localized inflammation while waiting for the cyst to resolve.
Professional Medical Treatment Options
Medical intervention becomes necessary if the cyst is large, causes persistent pain, shows signs of infection like fever, or fails to improve after two to three days of home treatment. The most common procedure for a painful, infected abscess is Incision and Drainage (I&D), which is performed under local anesthesia. During this procedure, the healthcare provider makes a small incision into the cyst to allow the infected fluid to drain completely.
To prevent the incision from healing immediately and ensure sustained drainage, a small balloon-tipped catheter, such as a Word catheter, is often inserted into the cavity. This catheter remains in place for up to six weeks to create a new, permanent drainage channel as the tissue heals. For cysts that recur frequently, a more permanent surgical solution called Marsupialization may be recommended, where the edges of the incision are stitched open to form a small, permanent pouch, allowing the gland to drain continuously.