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Original poster

Anyone suffered from Bartholin’s Cyst or a different kind of lump down there?

47 replies

Newusername87 · 07/07/2024 09:47

I noticed a soreness and pain about two weeks ago, becoming increasingly worse. It was a swelling/lump about the size of a walnut on the opening and inside wall.

Went to the GP after trying the home remedy methods, such as sitting in warm salty baths etc. GP examined and confirmed quickly that it was ‘just a bartholin’s cyst, it would have gone away on its on but I can give you antibiotics if you really want.’ It’s hard to sit, move about and by the end of the day all I want to do is put a hot water bottle between my legs.

Course has finished but the lump is still there, and although it’s not as sore as before, it’s still making life uncomfortable. Sex is absolutely not happening either, not least because (TMI) there’s a great big lump in the way.

I don’t know what to do. Go back to GP? I suffered from bladder prolapse after birth of DC1 so I know to recognise it, and this isn’t it. The GP was fairly dismissive so I feel like I want to exhaust other options before wasting their time.

OP posts:
Shybutrude · 07/07/2024 09:50

@Newusername87 Ask for this to go to sporners corner

spottedinthewilds · 07/07/2024 09:51

I would pop it! And squeeze it. Really bad advice as it may get infected but it will go so much quicker.

Original poster
Newusername87 · 07/07/2024 09:54

Pop it?! How on earth do I pop it! It’s honestly the size of a walnut and I wouldn’t know where to even ‘draw a head’. I’ve had a good look but there’s no obvious popableness and it goes right up inside and I’m not that dexterous.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Antenatal & postnatal General health
Usernameismyname01 · 07/07/2024 10:03

Go back to doctor and ask them to refer you to gynaecology for it to be lanced or pop to A&E and they will sort

ByCupidStunt · 07/07/2024 10:06

Usernameismyname01 · 07/07/2024 10:03

Go back to doctor and ask them to refer you to gynaecology for it to be lanced or pop to A&E and they will sort

This is what I was going to say

I've had a couple over the years they are bloody nasty little things.

the last one popped of it's own accord in the middle of the night and I woke up to liquid dripping down my thighs and a smell like a decomposing rat was in the bed.😂Just trying to cheer you up!

Blink282 · 07/07/2024 10:07

I had one that didn’t respond to ABs and was more growing more internal than external. They tried draining it with a catheter but that didn’t work so i ended up having it marsupialised under general. I was home same day and it healed absolutely fine. Ask GP to refer you to gynae. It was sorted within a week for me.

Original poster
Newusername87 · 07/07/2024 10:13

Anyone else think of the small furry animals that live in australia anytime you read the phrase ‘marsupialised’

OP posts:
mermaid101 · 07/07/2024 10:13

Please don’t “pop to A and E” for them to “sort it” as a previous poster has suggested.
This is one of the reasons why A and E departments are overwhelmed; what you are describing is neither an accident or an emergency.
i think your plan of returning to your GP is a good one. They will have all the information to provide you with the best care. I hope you get better soon. It sounds uncomfortable, but it is absolutely not an emergency.

Honeysuckle16 · 07/07/2024 10:19

I had one and my GP referred me to gynaecology. Initially the gynae doctors talked about it being marsupialed. However, the surgeon explained if that was done there was a chance it would recur so removal was preferred. That was 5+ years ago and no problems since.

Amazingday · 07/07/2024 10:28

I had one. I just kept going with hot baths and compresses. It took a week or so to get to a head. I did use mag sulphate on it. I am no dr and I am sure advice would advise against that, but was desperate and it was during lockdowns. It burst and never came back. But heat certainly helped

FeelTheFeeling · 07/07/2024 11:35

I'm shocked your gp gave you the brush off, that's crazy! I had one around a decade ago and the gp told me to go home and pack a bag as I was going straight to hospital for removal! He said it was extremely dangerous and if left untreated, could lead to a severe infection.it was removed via general anaesthetic, I was stitched up and I had an overnight hospital stay. Has advice changed around this nowadays??

Ozgirl75 · 07/07/2024 12:35

I had one for ages and ages and then suddenly it got bigger and painful. I held a tissue soaked in tea tree oil on it for as long as I could cope and finally after a day or so it came to a head and burst and it was A MAZ ING. The relief!

WearyAuldWumman · 07/07/2024 12:45

Newusername87 · 07/07/2024 09:47

I noticed a soreness and pain about two weeks ago, becoming increasingly worse. It was a swelling/lump about the size of a walnut on the opening and inside wall.

Went to the GP after trying the home remedy methods, such as sitting in warm salty baths etc. GP examined and confirmed quickly that it was ‘just a bartholin’s cyst, it would have gone away on its on but I can give you antibiotics if you really want.’ It’s hard to sit, move about and by the end of the day all I want to do is put a hot water bottle between my legs.

Course has finished but the lump is still there, and although it’s not as sore as before, it’s still making life uncomfortable. Sex is absolutely not happening either, not least because (TMI) there’s a great big lump in the way.

I don’t know what to do. Go back to GP? I suffered from bladder prolapse after birth of DC1 so I know to recognise it, and this isn’t it. The GP was fairly dismissive so I feel like I want to exhaust other options before wasting their time.

I had a lump on one of the labia. It was eventually removed in the gynae dept. Some kind of benign tumour.

Namechanged11111 · 09/07/2024 11:04

Honeysuckle16 · 07/07/2024 10:19

I had one and my GP referred me to gynaecology. Initially the gynae doctors talked about it being marsupialed. However, the surgeon explained if that was done there was a chance it would recur so removal was preferred. That was 5+ years ago and no problems since.

Hi, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but please could I pick your brains?!

My mum has been struggling for 2 years with hers. It popped itself in the night 2 years ago but will not heal and go away. Keeps filling up and leaking (sorry if tmi).

She has a gyane appointment for end of October, only now has gp agreed to refer after many rounds of antibiotics.

I was reading this thread to her and she asked would you mind saying if you had it under local? Was it very painful? And how were you following the operation initially, was it very uncomfortable?

Thank you! x

Sondheimisademigod · 09/07/2024 11:50

Newusername87 · 07/07/2024 09:47

I noticed a soreness and pain about two weeks ago, becoming increasingly worse. It was a swelling/lump about the size of a walnut on the opening and inside wall.

Went to the GP after trying the home remedy methods, such as sitting in warm salty baths etc. GP examined and confirmed quickly that it was ‘just a bartholin’s cyst, it would have gone away on its on but I can give you antibiotics if you really want.’ It’s hard to sit, move about and by the end of the day all I want to do is put a hot water bottle between my legs.

Course has finished but the lump is still there, and although it’s not as sore as before, it’s still making life uncomfortable. Sex is absolutely not happening either, not least because (TMI) there’s a great big lump in the way.

I don’t know what to do. Go back to GP? I suffered from bladder prolapse after birth of DC1 so I know to recognise it, and this isn’t it. The GP was fairly dismissive so I feel like I want to exhaust other options before wasting their time.

I had recurring cysts. Finally had one removed by surgery. Last flare-up I had antib's which helped.
V painful to have! Get a gynae referral

Sondheimisademigod · 09/07/2024 11:54

Namechanged11111 · 09/07/2024 11:04

Hi, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but please could I pick your brains?!

My mum has been struggling for 2 years with hers. It popped itself in the night 2 years ago but will not heal and go away. Keeps filling up and leaking (sorry if tmi).

She has a gyane appointment for end of October, only now has gp agreed to refer after many rounds of antibiotics.

I was reading this thread to her and she asked would you mind saying if you had it under local? Was it very painful? And how were you following the operation initially, was it very uncomfortable?

Thank you! x

Show quote history

No, I had mine under general anaesthetic! I don't think it's possible under local

Sondheimisademigod · 09/07/2024 11:54

Shybutrude · 07/07/2024 09:50

@Newusername87 Ask for this to go to sporners corner

Why?

Sondheimisademigod · 09/07/2024 11:56

spottedinthewilds · 07/07/2024 09:51

I would pop it! And squeeze it. Really bad advice as it may get infected but it will go so much quicker.

Don't be ridiculous. Unless the cyst' capsule is removed, it will keep filling.
And 'popping' it will only provide temporary relief
Don't give ignorant advice

Sondheimisademigod · 09/07/2024 11:59

Newusername87 · 07/07/2024 09:54

Pop it?! How on earth do I pop it! It’s honestly the size of a walnut and I wouldn’t know where to even ‘draw a head’. I’ve had a good look but there’s no obvious popableness and it goes right up inside and I’m not that dexterous.

Ignore this ridiculous 'advice'. Do not try to pop it

peonyjam · 09/07/2024 12:16

I've had this twice! I can't believe you've been brushed off. Mine became infected twice. It was genuinely agony. The first time I had to have emergency surgery under GA to drain it. Antibiotics did nothing to help. The only thing that sort of helped was hot compress.

The second time it landed me in A&E and honestly it was worse than labour. They also didn't take me seriously and it ruptured in a side room meaning it had to be repaired with only local anaesthetic.

I did have it for quite a while before it caused me real issues. Sex can really aggravate it.

Shybutrude · 09/07/2024 13:11

@Sondheimisademigod because several threads are already there and it might have been helpful, and lots of people in that section have dealt with them.

Sondheimisademigod · 09/07/2024 14:28

Shybutrude · 09/07/2024 13:11

@Sondheimisademigod because several threads are already there and it might have been helpful, and lots of people in that section have dealt with them.

Edited

Ah, ok. Thank you

CeruleanDive · 09/07/2024 14:35

mermaid101 · 07/07/2024 10:13

Please don’t “pop to A and E” for them to “sort it” as a previous poster has suggested.
This is one of the reasons why A and E departments are overwhelmed; what you are describing is neither an accident or an emergency.
i think your plan of returning to your GP is a good one. They will have all the information to provide you with the best care. I hope you get better soon. It sounds uncomfortable, but it is absolutely not an emergency.

Edited

Agree that popping to A&E was bad advice, and OP has to go back to her GP.

But I think "[GP] will have all the information to provide you with the best care." is a bit pie in the sky these days. OP has already been treated dismissively once. Plus look at the experience posted by @Namechanged11111: a referral for end of October and multiple ABs in the mean time. None of this is best care.

Floralnomad · 09/07/2024 14:38

Just go back to the GP , or a different one and tell them you want an urgent referral to the gynae team .