Bartholin cyst?

[Alwayssomething123]

I think I have one after a month of irritation etc down there - it’s in the right place as on the labia Minora at the bottom- not huge but tender to sit and it itches where it’s rubbing I think. Do I need to go back to the gp again or can I see what happens to it…

Hi, I get these quite frequently and have noticed they must be down to hormones as I get them in the run up to my period. I usually only get small ones which if I sit in a bath and squeeze it will pop taking away the pressure (sorry TMI). I have had one or two which have got big and sore and once the pressure was so bad I sterilized a needle end, popped and squeezed it and the puss sprayed out (again I'm so sorry for the TMI) but the relief afterwards was worth it.

I have never been to the GP about them to be honest, just either pop them or they go away after a few days on their own.

Thank you! As it’s painful I’ve had it checked and it is one. She said if it comes to a head squeeze it but if not leave and hopefully it will go away

Hope it goes away quickly for you, they do hurt in that area!

Oh gosh, please don’t do this. If it comes to a head, use a warm compress on it at most. If you squeeze it, you can cause additional trauma and it may become infected. Every Bartholin’s cyst I’ve seen that has been squeezed has needed antibiotics and a gynae referral. Please don’t squeeze!

Ok thank you - noted!

Lots of warm baths, maybe some salt in it. And wait for it to burst...

Epsom salts in the bath. Lots of epsom salts.

Goodness me I agree with others saying don't squeeze!! I would bathe (salt baths) a lot, and when you're not in the bath use a hot water bottle on the area to help drain it - it's worked for me in the past.

Before the ones that I managed to drain on their own I actually had to have at least four surgeries under GA to drain the ones I had as I seemed really prone to them, it was awful. Hope it goes away for you!

I'm amazed your GP hasn't prescribed antibiotics for you.

I used to get loads of these and was hospitalised 3 times they were so bad.
However, things have improved over the years and since I had a gynae procedure to help stop them developing - cant remember what it is called - but if caught early my GP would prescribe antibiotics and I always found this brought the cyst to a head and it eventually burst of it's own accord.

They are absolutely awful so you have my deepest sympathy, OP. Thankfully, I haven't had one now for about 7 years.

Thanks all. I haven’t squeezed. It did come to a head and went down a little then filled up again a bit and today still there but not painful. So I’m hoping it will slowly disappear/go away on its own. I’ve read that they tend to reoccur but I’m carrying on with the Epsom salt baths

Hope you are feeling better, I went to the gp yesterday evening as I had a massive bulge like cyst on Tuesday, the gp looked at the area and suspects a bartholin's cyst on my left vahinal wall. Been prescribed antibiotics and been told to take warm hot baths. The bulge is quite big there is no head yet, but unable to walk much, no longer dtd, and can only have relief when lying on my back with my legs open. I am going to get Epsom bath salts will try Boots/ Holland & Barrats.
This hurts like hell, don't know how I will manage to work I work as a lunchtime assistant for 2 hrs, but walking around and standing for more than 5 minutes is how much I can manage. Really upset and I have a 6 yrs old daughter who is like a Duracell bunny 🤗 full of energy. No head and very big like 2 grapes my whole left lower vaginal wall is swollen.right now I am awake with a hot water bottle between my legs and have applied sudicream. Within 2 days the swelling and pain has increased. Just fed up now feeling so s*. Start of the academic year at work and I have this to deal with.