To ask if anyone has had a Bartholin cyst?

[espressodrinker]

Just that really. I think I have one and it's pretty big...I can feel it underneath my skin. How did you deal with it?

Yes I had one that would come up, then go down, then progressed to getting bigger and bursting. They became gradually more painful with each time. Antibiotics a couple of times. As others have said I used hot compresses and hot baths to encourage it to draw and burst and the relief was amazing!
I had surgery to sort it out in the end. It was a day case, quick and easy and though I was a bit sore for a few days it was fine.
If I got another one I'd go and go and get it checked out sooner rather than later.

Dear God yes!

First one ever I had November 1977. Had no idea what it was so just left it. Finally, it began to throb like mad on Christmas Day when I was working on hotel reception. Passed out with the pain and was rushed to A & E. Long story short, it was removed under GA on Boxing Day, the blasted wound was packed and packing had to be changed twice daily which was like torture. 😱. Had to stay in hospital for 10 days!

I have had several since with another 2 being removed under GA and overnight hospital stay. The areas have now been marsupialised and haven't had another for several years thankfully. 🙏

God knows what was so wrong with the one in 1977 but I honestly thought I was at deaths door!

OP are you sure it’s a bartholins cyst if it isnt painful? Could it be a sebaceous cyst? I’d go to the doctors and get it diagnosed if you havent yet.

And i’ve just realised this post is rather old 🤦‍♀️

I had exactly what you're describing op. Mine felt about the size of a gobstopper, and was surgically removed under ga. I'm assuming it was a Bartholins cyst, although it was never confirmed. I had no pain at all, but I could feel it when I sat down (not envy). As others have said, I would still get it checked out with your gp, and they will be your first port of call for getting it removed. Feel free to pm me if you need any further details .

Oh dear... Zombie thread.

I realise this is a zombie thread, but seeing as it's been resurrected...

Interested in people who've had painless ones. Are they def Bartholin's cysts or can something be else cause similar swelling? A few years ago I had a lump that fluctuated in size (up to gobstopper size) and would sometimes ache, but wasn't exactly painful. It never popped and didn't feel like it could iyswim. I saw a doctor after a few months and she confirmed B's cyst but people's experiences on here sound so different. I'm a bit of a sporner so I'm envious of the pus tbh!

Kuime, mine was completely painless too. In fact, very much the same as you regarding the non-pop situation. I'm assuming it was a Bartholin's as I knew it wasn't an abscess. Hahaha totally agree about being denied a pop .

I've had them countless times. Been in hospital 4 or 5 times with them. It's probably not painful because it isn't infected. Mine felt like fag burns, so painful could barely walk or wear underwear.

Try magnesium paste from a chemist. That draws it out. I have managed to deal with a few like this, it may open eventually and drain.

Yes you're prob right about infection being the difference. And the pain does sound awful - maybe not worth the pop!

Alex sounds very similar, except I never had mine removed, it just eventually disappeared for good (I hope). Doctor was totally unfazed by the golf ball-sized lump on my nether regions so they must be common.

@kuime Bartholin's cysts are generally painless. Bartholin's abscesses are painful beyond belief.

Had several, surgery and marsupilization on most of them. One sat quite happily for months with no pain so I left it alone. It did not like being ignored and literally overnight became infected into the most painful fucker ever.

I couldn't walk, or stand or sit or lay or exist in general. Sometimes if I catch them early enough, lots of heat and antibiotics help them pop or go down, if not they get sliced and diced!

At my last smear test the nurse commented on my patchwork labia of scars. So you know, I got that going for me.

I was immediately offered surgery to remove it, but they tried antibiotics first and that took the size down so that it doesn't bother me. It is still there though if I go feeling for it.

Yes I had one last year

It cleaned it’s self up or dried up. I tried to squeeze it but nothing happened

Was most disappointed

I had two that lasted almost a year last year! The pain and 13 courses of antibiotics including two iv drops over two hospital stays and nine doctors visits. I was in hospital for other reasons and had other health complications but the cysts/ abcesses were the worst. Eventually it popped by itself but took five months to drain. I was almost beside myself by the end but I think the fact I had crohns and am immune suppressed made things worse and go on longer than they would usually.