I had my first cyst (not abscess) in 2004. Although it was uncomfortable, it wasn't horribly painful. It also went away (the duct opened and the contents emptied out) after sitz baths and hot compresses to my relief.

My second cyst occurred in the first week of September 2007 while I was on vacation. The sitz baths and compresses DID NOT work. So I was forced to the hospital when it became painful to walk, sit, stand and lie down, even while on ibuprofin. The doc put 5 needles in me to anesthetize the area and then proceeded with an I D (incision and drainage) which provided immediate relief. After saline wash he packed the area. The packing fell out the following evening, although the area remains swollen and slightly firm/tight to the touch (as if packing were still there). I will go in on Monday for a follow up to ensure the area is healing well, and will revisit later with an update if/when the cyst comes back.

Please provide detailed updates of your episodes. It most certainly helps to communicate with the doctors/gynocologists.

I am hoping to learn about your experiences with the word catheter (how long does it stay in? how long does it take to heal the area?) versus marsupialization.

Thanks!

I had my first cyst in April of this year. When I first found it, I was so worried about what it could be. I first thought it was a lymph node that was swollen. When I went to my doctor, she told me it was a Bartholin's gland cyst. It was swollen at the time and I also had a yeast and bacterial infection. It was horrible! Now, 5 months later, I have another cyst on the same right side. It's painful and very tender. I'm concerned about what I should do first. Reading from so many of the previous posts, it sounds like this is something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. I don't like the sound of surgery (I work at the hospital, I'm around that enough!) I'm going to try the warm compress first and taking some Aleve and seeing what helps before I call my doctor. Does anyone have any further advice to give since this is a new thing to me? I'm getting married next May and I would like this to not be an issue when I begin to be sexual active. I'll appreciate anyone's help. God Bless.

Thanks for replying. I find it helpful/informative to see what has happened to others on these forums.

I actually did not have a word catheter inserted, which I found to be strange later since that seems to be a typical experience. Mine was left to drain on its own. When I went back (about a week later, I think), I was told that it was "95% better" and that I didn't need to restrict myself in any way. Since then... it's been about two months, and the area is tender to the touch at times. Sometimes it will bother me (small pangs), but it usually gets better when I change into sweatpants or use a hot washcloth as a compress. I'm trying to be optimistic, but it's still a worry that I have that it will come back at some point... The "95 percent better" and the "it might come back/it might not" explanation didn't really satisfy me. My doctor did say that she (and many other doctors) can be reluctant to try to remove the gland altogether and that it's a painful and messy process. I'm not sure what will happen if/when it comes back for me.

mltmoe, the best advice that I can give is the baths and compresses and then going to see your doctor. The antibiotics that were prescribed seemed to help me the first two times this happened. Maybe someone else would have better advice?

On another forum it was suggested that sitting in a hot sitz bath and then applying cold compresses caused the abscess/cyst to "burst" or release on it's own. I would take that to mean, go with a HOT-COLD-HOT-COLD pattern to agitate the cyst to release its contents on its own.

I have not tried this yet but it will be the first thing I do on the next round.

hey all, I've had four cysts in as many years. Honestly, I wish I'd done my research better on the first one because I never would have gone through a drainage, then a word catheter, then a marsupialization. I would have insisted on having the gland removed which they just did four days ago. After reading enough boards this time, I see that anyone who did this found relief.

The recovery is a bit painful, hey it's the labia for goodnessakes, but if I never have to deal with another one, its' worth it.

Anyone out there who can tell me what their best recovery method was after surgery? I'm feeling worried about infection etc.

Hi,
i am suffering from the same. Now i have a question to u, r u sexully active or not? when u had this in ur 16, did u had sex that time? or it formed as it is? plz explain......
Because i am confused whether this cyst forms only for those who r sexully active or even for a virgins?? please answer

I wasn't sexually active when I got my first and second cyst a few years ago. So I think it can happen to any female whether she has been sexually active or not.

I am sexually active now, and sometimes that can be a problem if I am experiencing pain. But most of the time it is not a problem for me. I'm not sure about other people's experiences.

My doctor told me I had the cyst years ago and since I had no pain I decided to leave it alone since removing it required surgery. I wish I would have gone ahead and had it taken care of then. October of this year it went from being a small painless lump the size of a large pea to a very painful walnut sized lump in about a weeks time. I was taking Tylenol, using heat, and baths to try to get relief. My fiance had planned a romantic getaway that was canceled and we spent the evening trying to get in to see a doctor. I am very partial to seeing female doctors and this made it even harder, as I wouldn't just go to the ER. After a couple hours of wandering from Dr office to Dr office, it finally abscessed and drained which brought immediate relief.
I went a month later for a check up after it had healed and scheduled a marsupilization. Here is a link that really shows what is done and shows why it works. The duct is supposed to drain, when it doesn't the fluid builds up. The word catheter wasn't recommended to me because if they are not put in right they will come out before the pocket is healed and this will put you right back where you started. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030701/135.html

You can get them when you are not sexually active, but since bacteria & damage to the duct can cause a blockage I would think you would be more likely to get them if you were having sex.

I had my surgery through the hospital day before yesterday. I went in, was put under for the surgery and was headed home within several hours. I had some pain that evening. That night I took a pain pill the doctor had prescribed and slept fine. The pains were not as bad as some cramps I have had and felt about the same as a cramp. You just wear a pad for the drainage, which isn't much. Yesterday (the day after surgery)I was getting cramp like pains every once in a while through the day, but Tylenol helped. Today I got up and took my soak in warm water and so far no pain. I am restricted from lifting and obvious activities that might pull my stitches loose. (They dissolve on their own, which is great)

I am 99% sure she has solved my problem. The surgery pain was not even a fraction of what it is like when these things swell up and now I don't have to worry about ending up in pain at my wedding or wrecking our honeymoon.

I hope this helps.

Well, I just wanted to give an update in case anyone is ever about to have their abscess drained and has my original question.

I had occasional pain since last July, but it never really materalized into a cyst. There was one time-- October, I think-- where I was convinced (the experience of the pain of having the abscess drained has made me paranoid) that I was about to get one and I was having pain, so I got antibiotics right away. It was fine, and I guess I'll never know whether I was about to get one or not. Anyway, it's been since last July... and now I have another one when I was just beginning to wonder whether it was all over.

Usually I feel pain for about a week and then I start to feel the lump and it getting bigger... I felt pain last night and then five hours later, I had a lump. I'm completely devastated. I know some people on here must know how I feel. It's just so frustrating that you have no control over it. It's so frustrating that one day I can be fine and the next it hurts to walk around. I've been crying all day; I wish I could be better at dealing with it. In any case, I had a prescription for antibiotics that my doctor gave me and I started taking them an hour ago.

I am hoping with everything that it gets better and doesn't need the procedure again. I don't know how I can make myself lay down on that table this time knowing the pain that is going to come next. Also I am away from home and I would prefer to go to the doctor that I know.

I am also terrified about this summer when I will be overseas for a month. What if this happens then? It's a trip I've been looking forward to taking for years and probably my only chance to go overseas for a very long time (also my first chance). I just can't believe that might be ruined. Sorry for the length but I am so upset right now.

I had a marsupilization for my cyst four months ago. The pain after surgery was enough to take a pain pill, but I wasn't crying in pain or anything....like I did when the cyst abcessed. It is definately better to have the surgery. You go in are headed home within hours. ( I was put asleep) The pain was only rough the first couple days....mostly after that first day it was like having cramps. My doctor actually found a lump in the duct, so I had a large area removed besides the marsupilization, so I doubt that everyone has to take the pain medicine or have cramps as long. It healed quickly. I had my stitches taken out at my follow up visit because I was healed and they hadn't dissolved yet.
I still get tender at the location, but being a newly wed and wanting to have a baby ASAP...well...you can figure that out. LOL I am just glad that I won't have to suffer through another surprise flare up.
****Make sure if you have surgery you have a marsupilization and not just drainage!!! They are two different procedures and you are almost sure to have a repeat if you just do drainage!!!!****

OK, my last cyst was in Sept 07 (first in 2004). I'm having another episode; it's starting with swelling in my right labia and tenderness. It hasn't gotten to any size yet, but after having it the size of a tennis ball, not being able to walk, sit or lay down, and having it lanced in the ER, I'm definitely not looking forward to this again.

I've read here that people have had SEVERAL marsupializations. What went wrong with the first couple? To me, it sounds like marsupialization DOES NOT work every time.

I've also read that the gland/duct can become TWISTED, and cause blockage. That is interesting an unusual. Please confirm if this is also true for you. Or rather, what your doc finds in removing the gland!

Finally, how did you find a doctor to perform the surgery to REMOVE the gland? My gyn seemed so hesitant about the procedure. I would like to find one who is familiar with it and has performed it successfully for other women (not someone who only occasionally sees such cases and *attempts* to fix it). Any recommendations?

I'm currently doing sitz baths 4 times a day (just started) but am experimenting with HOT and COLD compresses. Let you know how this goes. Doing only hot compresses is hard on the skin I feel.

I am so desperate for the cyst to reduce in size and go away. I'm currently traveling and seeing my boyfriend, and to have to turn him away is awful but he's quite understanding. It really makes you wonder when the doc says, "just take some antibiotics, do sitz baths 3/4 times a day, and hang in there." While I imagine life is NOT PERFECT, there has got to be relief somehow... how do women with the condition maintain an active lifestyle? With the pain, the recurrences? Their sex lives?

Thank you to all the other women out there for sharing their experiences & findings.

So this time I tried cold and hot compresses (one after the other -- kind of like shock therapy), AND I tried using a vibrator -- hyper strong one -- to massage the gland and the ducts. Of course, no one RECOMMENDED it, but I figured you might be able to dislodge the blockage by vibrating it loose. What did I hvae to lose, seriously?

So today is Friday and I first detected the cyst or swelling on Saturday. So six days later, and I'm feeling that the cyst went away! Certainly, it might have NOTHING to do with the hot/cold compresses, or the creative use of my vibrator, but what if those were key?

Just sayin'

Of course, my cyst began small and was not abscessed. So there are likely many limitations on this course of action. However, I was thinking that at the end of the week or two weeks it would have to be lanced anyway. And that I should try everything possible (remotely logical) that had even the slightest chance of working. Best wishes to all you women.

I'm going to monitor closely for the next two weeks, of course. These ARE RECURRING, and you never know when it strikes again.

I have had had a bartholins cyst for 6 years and last year I had marsapalisation (I also live abroad and I was in hospital for four days initially but the the spinal anesthetic they gave me went wrong and I ended up in for two weekS)....and the cyst was never even removed. It was so traumatic and left me depressed and with a failed relationship. One year on
I still have the cyst and sex just makes it swell up and its so painful.

Reading these blogs has been such a comfort that I am not the only one. Sometimes I wonder if I will be stick with this thing forever...?

I have been having sitz baths which I have never heard of before reading this site and its just been one day (and about 6 baths) and I can see a big improvement, although im sure as soon as I have sex it will come back.

I have been putting salt and a drop of vinegar into the bath and also pure tea tree oil onto pads through the day.

I never want to go through surgery again, but I also want to get rid of the cyst so I can live a normal life again.

Keep the advice coming.

Good luck everyone

hiiii.... iam 27 years old .. i have a bartholin cyst the problem that iam still virgin so how could i get married or how i could do the operation ???? anybody knows what can i do please !!!

I'm 57 and have just experienced my third Bartholins cyst (left side) in 15 years -- except I've had the last two episodes in less than a year.

This past one was by far the worst. Following a gyn appointment (with a brand new doctor), and the scheduling of surgery for marsupulization (which she insisted was the only real treatment), the abcess burst the next day! I was at work and had to run home because it made an incredible mess (the cyst had swollen to the size of a golf ball).

This is the first time I've had one rupture. The cyst immediately "deflated" to the size of a pea and I've had no pain or signs of infection. However, every other day or so, it still drains a bit of pink blood and slightly colored mucus-like stuff.

Is this normal? Has anyone else had their cyst rupture spontaneously and then continue to drain a bit for many days later? Should I worry?

After using the vibrator in conjunction with the hot and cold compresses, the little cyst (walnut sized) went away. This was in June. I don't recall **drainage** just that the cyst shrunk.

In July or August 2008, after some vigorous sex, the cyst came back. It's been persistent to about today, which is about two months, and again between pea and walnut size. It did not grow larger. However I've been more actively manipulating myself.

For example, after sex (sorry about being so graphic) I shower within 5 minutes and press on the area. Sebaceous fluid comes out, and I just repeat this process until I feel the gland cannot be squeezed for more fluid. It's a manual "draining" process. I do this regardless of whether I've had sex or not, bec/ the gland is supposed to produce lubricant for the vagina. THe theory is that my muscles or the piping is not allowing the fluid to flow properly, so I'm helping it along, everyday.

I just never want to go into the ER or GYN's office to get it lanced. It was so horribly painful. Also, I do want to avoid surgery. However, my cysts are not abscesses so there is not everyday pain; pain starts only when the cyst gets SO LARGE it's hard to walk, stand or sit.

Good luck all, keep us posted!

My story and partial remedy
Posted on December 10, 2008 at 02:06:45 AM by Cat

My abscess grows to the size of a large egg or small orange. I have had a recurrence 10 times in 4 years. I have tried sitz baths, word catheters, incision and drainage without catheter, and antibiotics. I have been hospitalized with septicemia (blood infection) twice. I have missed work and had my sex life affected. I refuse to have surgery, or be cut anymore. Nothing has prevented recurrence. However, I have found a remedy for helping the abscess resolve more quickly. The treatment causes a day of severe pain, which I have anyway (like someone cutting it open slowly), but this has worked for me twice in a row:

I apply a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar and leave it on for an hour or more. It burns. Then I apply a cotton ball soaked in castor oil and leave on for a few hours or overnight. I do this combo a few times. It burns! This combination causes the abscess to lose integrity slowly, become more and more painful as it does so, and then open (for me within 24 hours). This process burns like hell (I was groaning out loud and could barely move for the pain). But before I discovered this the abscess would get larger and larger with worsening infection making me physically ill, feverish, and sometimes toxic, get more and more painful, then suddenly burst open.

Now, I use the vinegar and castor oil to open it before I get a fever, and what comes out is much less nasty because it hasn't sat there festering for so long. This time I am continuing with the treatment after the abscess opens to see if it will prevent a recurrence. My most recent "grand opening" was Thursday, Dec 4, and I'm still doing the treatment. It still burns when I apply the vinegar, but if it prevents recurrence it's worth it! I'll let you know if it works.

I'm 26 and am currently dealing with my 9th cyst. The first one I got was about two years ago and was only fixed after it was grapefruit sized and had to be INDed (lanced). The second one didn't reoccur until 8 months later and was also lanced. Since then, and up until now, when they would occur I could take hot bathes and get them to drain on their own. However, I've had this one since the first of the year and it has been nothing but hell. As I do not have insurance, I have to go to the ER to get treated. The first trip I was given antibiotics and told to come back. The second trip, the next day, the went ahead and drained it because it had grown so much over night; at this point I was in sooooo much pain. The third trip to the ER, two days after last treatment, was the worst. I was completely infected and none of the old swelling was gone but new swelling was present. At this point I honestly couldn't walk. Before it just hurt really really bad to walk, sit, stand, pee, sleep, but now it was literally impossible to do any of those things. The cyst was, of course, lanced again. That helped a lot, it really did. Although this fixed 85% of the problem, the incision closed and could not fully drain. As of this very moment, I'm on tons of antibiotics and I still have a cyst. My guess is that I'll be back in the ER either tomorrow or the next day and they'll have to drain it again. These things are the worst things that have ever happened to me.

I also suffer from these cyst, I currently had my 4th one lanced. I am using witch hazel to keep it clean but it still feels like I have a little bulg. I'm hoping it's just swollen. The first one was horribly infected and bursted after antibiotics and a stromg dose in a shot on the rear. The 2nd bursted on its own, I used witch hazel to keep it clean and I did not return. The latter to have been on the opposite side and I'm hoping it does not return, the small bulg just concerns me....