Bartholin cyst - experiences please

[heatered]

I think I have a Bartholin cyst. I'm not sure if I should contact the GP or if I can treat it myself. It's pea size and painful, any advice please.

You have to be careful as they can turn into abscesses quite quickly. When I had one on the turn I felt very hot and quite ill, the pain was intense to the point I was eyeing up a compass ready to pop it!! A hot flannel can help to draw to a head.

userxx Did you pop it?

Take pain relief for now and try hot or cold compresses (whichever works best for you) and ring the GP in the morning and at the very least they should send a electronic prescription for antibiotics over to your pharmacist. I've had this twice so know how it feels. Mine got bigger and bigger until it popped in my sleep one night - it smelt as though a rat had crawled in the bed and died 3 days earlier lol.

OP you need to post in Sporners Corner. Pics will be requested but they’re a helpful bunch.

I have had a shit ton of these.

Though mine were all significantly larger than pea sized, most were surgically sliced and diced but some I've caught early enough to deal with at home.

Sitz bath (fill the bath a few inches with water as hot as you can take it and sit in it for as long as you can. Hot water bottle between your legs. Don't wear underwear and wear loose bottoms.

If none of this helps, ask GP for antibiotics. I've got rid of a couple using the home stuff and antibiotics. If it gets bigger or unbearably painful then it may need surgical draining and marsupilization (sp?).

But again. My ones that were surgically removed were closer to golf ball size than pea size, so hopefully it won't come to that!

Good luck!

@StephenBelafonte lol.
I got them as an older teenager and suffered for a few years. The pain was horrible. I had one on the right and the left! Once they popped they went permanently but I second the smell. It was rank.

I had one surgically removed under GA.

I went to the sexual health clinic and they issued me a "just in case" prescription as it was just before going away one Christmas!!

Thankfully mine resolved itself, very painful memories.

I had one removed. Previously had an infected labial cyst removed too. That was the worst. Ended up admitted via a second trip to A&E. I suggest seeing your gp and getting a referral to gynaecology.

I had a huge spot/pimple/cyst thing on my inner but cheek a few years ago, it was agony. The Dr tried squeezing it but it wasn't quite ready, I remember her recommending a cream/paste to help draw it out. Think it worked, I popped it myself and passed out at the sight of the blood! I can't remember the name of the paste/cream now, will it be suitable for this being in such a delicate area?

Magnesium paste I think?

No idea about using it there though!

Magnesium drawing out paste?

I get these a lot.. And pop them it's sore but the relief is fantastic

I really suffered from these as a teenager and I can still get them if I am stressed and run down.

I've had antibiotics before but you can get on top of it quickly with very hot baths and using a very hot flannel to gently squeeze the cyst. Salts in water too. Hot water baths twice a day.

Thanks everyone for the advice

I think I have one of these. This is the third time. The first two times I thought it was an ingrown hair or a nasty spot. This time I looked in the mirror and saw that it was more of a lump with a head. It burst while I was looking and was very bloody (sorry TMI!).

I also noticed that the labia on the side of the cyst is now elongated and hangs much lower than the other side. Will that go back to normal??

Got an appt with the GP tomorrow but it sounds like they probably won't do anything. Feeling better now that it's popped but slightly concerned about my wonky fanny.