Bartholin Cyst

[Lara96]

I think I have one of these. It’s not painful as of yet and it’s quite soft. Can this go away on its own.

some do, but others need draining
have you spoken to your GP? You can get antibiotics but suggest you keep an eye
try warm baths and compresses for now

I had one. I found regular salt baths helped and It burst on its own. I recall it was painful so you have my sympathy

Solidarity - I’ve had one for a month!! Had it drained 2 weeks ago and it’s come back albeit much smaller 😩
I was given antibiotics but they didn’t do anything, I just kept doing warm compresses. Mine isn’t painful and there isn’t a head on it. I’d never heard of them before!

Mine burst of its own accord - was just extremely careful with hygiene and had a salt bath to help. There was a lot of pus, if I recall.

How long did it take to burst @travailtotravel?

I had one for about 3 years, doctor confirmed diagnosis but it just went away about 5 years ago and never came back…they don’t always erupt

Mine took about a week ... bit painful ...

Seems to have disappeared now thankfully

Mine has come and gone for a year. Antibiotics have not sorted it. Periodically it gets a head and becomes very painful.

I had one. Really painful. Sat in a hot bath and when I got out it burst. Sweet instant relief. Healed fine with a bit of carefully applied antiseptic cream!

Pleased for you @Lara96, I ended up having a marsupialisation last week 🤦🏻‍♀️

How did you get that @Froggy623? I just keep getting antibiotics (and thrush 😑)

@Snugglemonkey Oh don't worry I got the thrush too - but as I said to the Dr in the grand scheme of things I don't give a f about thrush after the 6 weeks I've had 😅

I went to the doctors when I first got it and was given antibiotics and advice that if it got painful or bigger go to A&E - it was golf ball in size and after 2 weeks I just went to A&E (which is MAD) because antibiotics and sitz baths weren't doing anything. I was referred to the women's diagnostic unit, they drained my cyst the same day - although fucked it up twice. Less than 2 weeks later it was back again and big, I called the unit who saw me the same day and then booked me in for surgery the next day - this was 10 ish days ago now. I complained it was hurting (it wasn't), I did however stress the effect it was having on me mentally, my mum had vaginal cancer and I found it extremely triggering having my own lumps - albeit was very aware it was a Bartholin cyst - I'm not sure if the latter influenced their decision to act so quickly. It's healing ok ish but I can still feel a small lump, I've been told to call the unit again if it's still there in a week. I have to say whilst I've been dealt with fast they didn't explain the operation at all, I didn't even realise I'd been given stitches until the next day as no one explained the procedure to me.

The whole experience has made me see first hand how under researched women's health is, the advice to go to A&E seemed mad especially when the NHS is under so much pressure. My GP told me I likely got it because I use a moon cup whereas the consultant told me that's not true. My period also came early 23 days vs 31 and I asked another consultant if this might be as a result of the procedure, he said it was more likely that it came early because I have been emotional over the fact my mum has died - which just made me laugh.

I've found out more information about it on reddit and TikTok.

Sorry to monopolise your thread OP!

I had one many years ago and had a marsupialisation under GA. Went to my GP and he arranged immediate admission to local hospital. Followed up by visits from the community nurse. I don’t know if it was particularly severe or if the NHS provided better treatment.

Thank you, I might need to be more persistent!

Update: I'm having my gland removed as the cyst is back!

Hope you don't mind me updating OP, just hope the updates prove helpful for someone else who might also go through similar.

Of course I don’t mind you updating it’s good for anyone having this issue.

Its almost as if my cyst was there one minute and gone the next I know it’s not like that for everyone though.

Mine is like that too @Lara96. I think it hinders getting it solved. I haveca referral to gynaecology now though. Hopefully it will be dealt with.