Recurring bartholins cyst

[Whyisitdarkalready]

So, at the end of my period in August, I developed a really sore boil kind lump by my vagina. After a few days it was bigger than a pea and was purple. I had a warm bath then when I woke the next day it was oozing and the pressure from it eased. Within a few days it felt like it had gone.

Fast forward to my last period, again a few days after it had ended I have a sore swelling again in the same place. After googling, I'm pretty sure it's a bartholins cyst.

Do they usually recur regularly or should I see my gp? Just seems weird that it's happened twice in the last few months. Wondering if it needs treatment or if it'll fix itself.

Thank you.

My friend and I had one at the same time. Mine was much worse. The GP wouldn't treat hers as too small but I delayed treatment for mine as I had deadlines and ended up unable to walk and needing an operation. Definitely get it looked at.

Cysts have a sac that can refill. Go and see your GP you could go on a list to get it removed I think (if you want that done I’d make this the 5th time it’s happened)

Thank you both. I've booked a face to face drs appointment for Thursday. I've taken some pics in case it has popped and gone by then.

Update: It was a bartholins abscess. I have been given antibiotics to have in the cupboard in case it reoccurs again, as it has already popped and is healing by itself currently. If it happens twice more before Xmas, then I will be referred for surgery. But she's suggested I stop using period pants as they may be making things worse.

Hi @Whyisitdarkalready I think I may have one of these. It started yesterday, it was sore in the night, enough to keep waking me and now it hurts so much I'm struggling to sit/ walk/ move! It's to late to call the doctors, do I wait until Monday?

@Pinkwithwhite If it's so painful, it's probably going to pop soon. Place a warm flannel on it or have a warm bath. It's a shame it's the weekend now as if you could see a dr you could get antibiotics to stop it quicker. Hope it pops quickly as the relief is enormous once it does!

I had a large one and was referred to the hospital. Antibiotics and hot baths did the trick. Recurred about a year later and rang hospital direct as had been advised by them it was a way of avoiding pointless GP appointment. Had to persuade them to give me same antibiotics but they did and they worked again. That was a few years ago and never had one since.

I have one at the moment and really struggling.
Started Monday night, now Thursday afternoon. Saw GP yesterday morning who confirmed definitely infected Bartholin's Cyst. Prescribed anti biotics which I'm now on day 2 of.
I have a private Gynae appointment booked for tomorrow morning which the GP said was a good thing as it may need draining.
She said go to A&E any sign of temp.
So far ok but pain on the cyst is really bad. Can barely walk. Just want it to pop but it doesnt have any kind of 'head'... i've been doing loads of warm baths, warm compress etc. cold compress in my pants..!
I've never had an abcess, it's so under the skin, i can't imagine it drawing to a head?! But i really want it to!
Help!

So sorry you're struggling! I found once it got so painful that I couldn't even keep my legs together, it was close to popping. Mine popped while I was asleep, the relief when I realised in the morning was huge. So you might be on the verge of it draining itself. I found a warm compress worked the best for pain relief. Hope it resolves soon for you.

Thank you for replying!
Yes warm compresses and bath is the only relief.
I am walking like an extremely well endowed cowboy now so hopefully it's close to popping..!

I wonder if there’s a hormonal element, as they are often seen in pregnancy.

I would have thought there must be as you create more fluid at different times of your cycle. eg Ovulation.
But a lot of people say they get them near their period... and then as you say, lots of people get them when pregnant.
But others say around ovulation.
Mine is right in between...