Bartholin gland
Blockage of the Bartholin gland, causing swelling at the entrance of the vagina. Usually treatable with drainage and, if recurrent, marsupialisation.
Understanding
The Bartholin’s glands sit just inside the entrance of the vagina and produce a small amount of fluid for lubrication. When the duct blocks, fluid builds up and a cyst forms. If the cyst becomes infected, it turns into a Bartholin’s abscess: painful, hot and tender.
Treatment is usually quick and effective. For recurrent cysts, a small day-case procedure called marsupialisation prevents the problem from coming back.
Common symptoms
Swelling on one side of the vaginal opening
Discomfort while walking, sitting or having sex
Severe pain, redness or fever if the cyst becomes infected (abscess)
Diagnosis
Approach
A structured workup, often within one appointment, to identify the cause and shape a clear treatment plan.
Clinical examination is usually enough to make the diagnosis
Swabs taken from the gland if an abscess is present
Treatment
Treatment is built around your symptoms, preferences and any other conditions. Options often combine medication, hormonal treatments and where appropriate, surgery.
Conservative care with warm soaks for small, painless cysts
Drainage with a small catheter for symptomatic cysts
Antibiotics for an infected abscess
Marsupialisation (a small operation creating a permanent opening) for recurrent cysts
Your consultation
A first appointment is unhurried. We work through your history, your symptoms and your priorities, and where helpful arrange examination, imaging or further tests at the same visit. You leave with a clear plan and time to ask any question you bring.