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

[Newusername87]

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.

For the lady who asked on behalf of her mother:

When I had my tumour removed, I got a local. All the other women in the bay were older, had previously had cysts removed and insisted on GAs. Because I was the only local, I was taken last.

I had one and it did go after antibiotics but the doctor did say to try to squeeze it to get the pus out😱if I were you I would go back to the doctor and get another round of antibiotics

Despite the horror on here I get this a couple of times a year normally in the middle of the cycle and I pop them myself with a sterile needle. Just a couple of quick jabs and you know what you've hit the hit place and the pus that comes out is instant.

Can be hard to reach them depending on where they are though!

About 45 years ago. ( god I’m old)
Hot compresses, as hot as you can bear and lots of them. It will then become pop-able.

Sudocreme
Sudocreme
Sudocreme
Sorted!

I've never had one that big but I find putting a cotton wool ball soaked in hot water, as hot as I can bear down there and left in my pants usually makes it pop within 24h. Sometimes need to change the cotton wool ball a few times with fresh hot water

I had one, 2 lots of antibiotics didn't touch it and I woke up in such pain one day that I did go to a and e and was admitted and operated on the same night. So op I'd keep going back to the doctors so you don't potentially end up like me. I'd forgotten the proper word for the " we will stitch the wound open". When they took the packing out the next day it was like when magicians pull the line of handkerchiefs out of a top hat.

Sudocreme
Sudocreme
Sudocreme
Sorted!

Better let all the hospitals know this so the qualified gynaecologists will stop making the mistake of doing removals and marsupialisations - can't believe they've been getting it wrong all these years when the treatment is so simple.

Thanks for all advice so far - quite a mixed range!
The lump is firm, not rock solid, but very deep so I really, really can’t see how I’d be able to pop it, even if I wanted to. It’s grown to about the size of the plum and is more internal than external. To say I’m uncomfortable is an understatement.

Ive tried compresses and the like, but I’m going to try and get another appointment tomorrow and see what she says - hopefully not fobbed off too much.

I do appreciate everyone saying to just pop it, apply cream, tea tree oil but I promise it’s just too deep. The only thing I can compare it to is a testicle (which makes me laugh) in how it feels.

Thank you, I will tell mum x

Given my experience, I'd advise a GA if at all possible.

@Crazycrazylady not sure why you are tagging me?

I agree with G.A. Although my experience went very well (hot bath, needle that I didn't require int the end, vodka to sterilise, & maybe another use gauze...

Sorry, think you'll just have to wait, some try to draw it out with something , possibly magnesium sulphate, try spornors corner ... they hurt and take a while - had 2 before 😵‍💫

Not for many years, the first one I had was massive, at first I thought I had thrush but after several days of pain I saw a GP (not uk) he said wow that’s big, said right let me get a syringe and syringed it, there was a lot of puss, it felt like about 10 massive syringes full, but about 4 in reality. He gave me antibiotics and that was that. I had a few after, but also some more serious cysts. I stopped waxing after being told by the GP to stop and eventually had an op on my glad and not had one since. My last one was discovered when I was having an op, I hadn’t even realised I had it but it was infected, because I hadn’t felt it and had a few, all discovered only after I got really unwell the Dr made the call and sewed my glad open, it wasn’t actually planned.

I can’t actually remember if it was the Bartholins cyst or the others that I was getting that prompted the original Op.

Oh my god. They are the worst and best thing ever.

I had around 3 last year. Absolutely massive. I popped them with a needle. The sense of relief as all the pus came out. Just wow. I know that's not the done thing, so I'm not saying to do it. But it does feel amazing.

Yes mine was like that, there’s no way I could have attempted to pop it. The nurses on the ward were laughing at me as I was walking like John Wayne.

Got to GP today - saw someone different to the last. Took one look at it and told me to get myself to hospital now, she’s going to call ahead. I actually can’t go - I have childcare issues - so the compromise is to go tomorrow first thing. I asked what’s the worst if I leave it and she said, very matter of factly, you’ll develop sepsis. So, that’s nice.

she also said I’d have never been able to pop it as it’s too deep and would risk worse infection.

I can’t wait for this to be over tomorrow!

I'm so pleased you're finally getting this dealt with OP, although if the first gp had taken you seriously.... The exact same thing happened to me - I posted upthread. My gp said exactly the same thing, leaving it would lead to sepsis and he phoned ahead to book me in for emergency surgery. It's not an awful surgery and I remember feeling very woozy when I came round from the ga, but the relief was immense! the strangest sensation was removing the stitches. I hope it goes smoothly for you and you feel heaps better very soon. As for the posters talking about popping it, what on earth?! Mine was the size of a golf ball and sat more 'inside'.However, I think there's a marked difference between a cyst and a bartholin cyst so I think some of your replies were lost in translation. Good luck!

Glad you are getting it sorted @Newusername87

I was sent to A&E when I had one. I couldn't get a GP appointment and so went to the walk in centre who sent me to A&E.

A&E gave me antibiotics and told me to go back if it didn't clear within a couple of days. Thankfully it burst so I didn't have to

Wow, I really hope that GP has a word with her colleague who gave you the brush off.