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Original poster

Bartholin's cysts- anyone ever had them?? I'm in so much pain!

24 replies

sunshine05 · 17/05/2019 09:43

So I went to the doctor after feeling bruised in my lady bits and had found some lumps in my labia/vulva region. She said I have inflamed cysts. I didn't even know you could get things like that!

Well it's so painful now I can hardly sit down. She's given me antibiotics but after 2 days still no relief. How long does it last, and I don't know, I just need some reassurance. I'm really worried. I get health anxiety so of course my mind is running off in all directions.

I just don't need this, on top of this I'm on long term antibiotics for an embedded bladder infection. Argh!

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 17/05/2019 09:44

You need to go back and get seen today,don't leave it over the weekend. I would imagine if it's getting worse while on antibiotics then there needs to be another course of action. Have you tried sitting in a warm salt bath?

Teaandbi5cuit5 · 17/05/2019 09:51

I have them at least three times a year.... I have given up on the drs and A&E!! What I do is mix turmeric and coconut oil together and place the paste on to a pad or cotton wool and apply directly on the cyst (this will bring the cyst to a head). Leave the paste on for about 15mins, then apply a hot compress (as hot as you can handle. I also drop tea tree essential oil onto the hot compress) repeat until you feel it pop!

Teaandbi5cuit5 · 17/05/2019 09:53

A hot shower head is sometimes more smoothing than the pain killers..... I have had two children and I honestly think that the pain from a bartholin's cyst is nearly as bad a labour!!

Teaandbi5cuit5 · 17/05/2019 09:54

I forgot to say. When the cyst(s) come to a head, they will swell like golf balls!! But don't worry

sheshootssheimplores · 17/05/2019 09:56

I had one when I was pregnant with DS1. It took quite a while for it to go away. I think I did quite a lot of bathing in salt baths. I don’t remember doing anything to it particularly, I think it just burst on its own one day and it never returned.

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 17/05/2019 09:56

I had them, they didn't respond to antibiotics, and I had to have them surgically removed. No more Bartholin's glands for me. It was a bit extreme but it did the trick.

alreadytaken · 17/05/2019 10:04

antibiotics can easily take 3 days to have any impact so you will probably be told to finish the course, go back if not working after the weekend. Try adding some epsom salts to the water you soak in. The magnesium in the epsom salts will help with both pain and anxiety.

You should also get some probiotics or prebiotics as 2 lots of antibiotics is going to affect your gut bacteria.

Original poster
sunshine05 · 17/05/2019 13:50

Teaandbi5cuit5 size of a golfball??????? Shock I hope not!
prawnofthepatriarchy my mum says she had to have one surgically removed. I hope it doesn't come to that.

I can feel 3, so one on one side and two on the other. One side is far more painful. I don't know why I've got 3, like they've all come up at once. Maybe it's the long term antibiotics messing with my immune system.

alreadytaken I take probiotics every day -for my guts and one for the vaginal area 'intimate flora' so hopefully they're helping keep on top of it all

Thanks for the tips, I'll try the hot baths and compresses. (even though right now I'm too busy to do any of that- with 3 kids and work etc I just have to keep going regardless) I didn't know they can pop- yuck!

I'll finish the course and see if they're better, otherwise I'll have to go back to the docs I guess.

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshine05 · 17/05/2019 13:54

prawnofthepatriarchy I've read on the nhs website that they're glands that turn into cysts, so does that mean you've had the glands removed? if so surely that affects sex as the glands produce lubrication for sex? Or maybe they don't remove the glands. I guess I'll worry about that only if I have to have them removed

OP posts:
Thatmustbemyname · 17/05/2019 14:10

They're awful things!

I've had 2 surgically removed, 1 that burst just before they operated and 1 that just went away with antibiotics. Mine all swelled up, biggest was the size of a grapefruit and so painful.

Keep an eye on it (not like you'd forget it!) and don't be afraid to go back to your GP if it doesn't seem to get better, or if it worsens.

Sexnotgender · 17/05/2019 14:12

biggest was the size of a grapefruit and so painful.

A grapefruit Confused sweet Jesus that sounds horrendous!

Thatmustbemyname · 17/05/2019 14:15

I was only 16 at the time, I was terrified lol

Sexnotgender · 17/05/2019 14:20

I’m not surprised! Ouch.

8FencingWire · 17/05/2019 15:45

No one is going to bat an eyelid if you show up in A&E with a bartholin cyst and ask to be sorted.

Original poster
sunshine05 · 04/06/2019 21:40

Soooo, the antibiotics for the cysts worked but here I am not even a month later and I have another one brewing. FFS! I'm off on a long haul flight on Friday for a 4 day trip of a lifetime with hubby. (hopefully for romance etc...we have 3 kids, say no more- we've forgotten who the other person is practically!) and now this cyst might ruin everything. ARGH!!!!! I phoned the doc in a panic today, he eventually called back and said they want to have a look at it before prescribing anything. I just want the damn thing gone.

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshine05 · 04/06/2019 21:42

my mum has since told me she had them a few times. great. Its hereditary apparently. She had one removed with an operation- not clear if she had the cyst removed or the gland Hmm knowing her she probably won't know which one lol!

I just don't get it. Why am I getting these at 42 when I've never had one before?

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshine05 · 05/06/2019 06:45

I've read online that teatree oil can really help. actually someone on this thread mentioned it too. I'm off to buy some today....

OP posts:
Voila212 · 05/06/2019 09:41

I have gotten these throughout the years, then they stopped. In the last month I've gotten 2!!! I use sudocream and that helps. Yesterday I couldn't sit down by the afternoon it had burst and the relief was instant. The pharmacy recommended probiotics, so I think I'll give them a go. Hope the tea tree oil work.

Babdoc · 05/06/2019 09:46

The operation is called marsupialisation, OP. They basically evert the cyst so it’s like an inside out pouch, which means it drains freely and can’t block up again.
If you’re getting repeated infections in your perineal area (not just recurrent Bartholin’s abscesses), it might be worth getting your blood glucose checked, as diabetes can present this way.

Pikapikachooo · 18/09/2019 08:26

I think I have one ! However as I also get
UTI
Herpes
Thrush

I am getting checked at GUM

Basically one bottom vulva /labia is really swollen and red ? It hurts and also feel tired and have sore stomach ?

Myshitisreal · 18/09/2019 09:34

I realise this is an old thread but I wanted to recommend magnesium sulphate paste for bringing cysts to a head. From a chronic absess sufferer 🤕

Pikapikachooo · 18/09/2019 10:34

But it’s so sore and tender ! Won’t that cream hurt

Fuck know what I have

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 18/09/2019 10:45

I got those a lot for a few years while my diabetes was out of control. I always had to have them drained, that was the only thing that helped with the pain. Then antibiotics afterwards.

Myshitisreal · 18/09/2019 22:52

It tingles a bit when you put it on but it's a miracle at helping them clear/burst naturally. I've had surgery on two abscesses and hospitalised twice and no one ever told me about this cream. It's quite old style, like a poultice

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