Bartholin’s cyst – NHS

A Bartholin’s cyst, also called a Bartholin’s duct cyst, is a small fluid-filled sac just inside the opening of the vagina.

Symptoms of a Bartholin’s cyst

You may feel a soft, painless lump. This does not usually cause any problems.

But if the cyst grows very large, it can become noticeable and uncomfortable. You may feel pain in the skin surrounding the vagina (vulva) when you walk, sit down or have sex.

The cyst can sometimes affect the outer pair of lips surrounding the vagina (labia majora). One side may look swollen or bigger than usual.

If the cyst becomes infected, it can cause a painful collection of pus (abscess) to develop in one of the Bartholin’s glands.

Signs of an abscess include the affected area becoming red, swollen, tender and hot. It can also cause a high temperature.

When to see a GP

Small Bartholin’s cysts are sometimes only found during a routine cervical screening test or an examination carried out for another reason.

Always see a GP if you develop a lump in the area around your vagina so they can confirm a diagnosis and rule out more serious conditions.

If they think the cyst or one of your Bartholin’s glands may be infected, they may use a swab to remove a sample of discharge for analysis to identify the bacteria responsible.

Sometimes, a GP may recommend you have a biopsy. A small sample of cyst tissue will be removed and examined under a microscope to check for signs of a rare type of vulval cancer called Bartholin’s gland cancer.

What causes Bartholin’s cysts?

The Bartholin’s glands are a pair of pea-sized glands found just behind and either side of the lips that surround the entrance to the vagina.

The glands are not usually noticeable because they’re rarely larger than 1cm (0.4 inches) across.

The Bartholin’s glands secrete fluid that acts as a lubricant during sex. The fluid travels down tiny tubes called ducts into the vagina.

If the ducts become blocked, they can fill with fluid and expand to form a cyst.

It’s often not known why the ducts become blocked, but sometimes it’s linked to sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia, or other bacterial infections, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli).

How Bartholin’s cysts are treated

If you do not have any noticeable symptoms, it’s unlikely you’ll need treatment.

If the cyst is painful, a GP may recommend some simple self-care measures, such as soaking the cyst in warm water several times a day for 3 or 4 days and taking painkillers you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket.

If these do not work, several treatments are available to treat the pain and any infection. If necessary, the cyst can be drained. Most of these treatments involve a minor surgical procedure.

A Bartholin’s cyst can sometimes return after treatment.

Who’s affected

A Bartholin’s cyst usually affects sexually active women aged 20 to 30.

Bartholin’s cysts do not usually affect children because the Bartholin’s glands do not start functioning until puberty. 

The cysts are also uncommon after the menopause as this usually causes the Bartholin’s glands to shrink.

Preventing Bartholin’s cysts

It’s not clear exactly why Bartholin’s cysts develop, so it’s not usually possible to prevent them.

But as some are thought to be linked to STIs, practising safe sex (using a condom every time you have sex) can help reduce your chances of developing Bartholin’s cysts .

Get more advice about STIs

Page last reviewed: 26 October 2021
Next review due: 26 October 2024

Bartholin Gland Cyst – StatPearls

Continuing Education Activity

A Bartholin gland cyst is usually a unilateral, asymptomatic blockage of the Bartholin gland that may be incidentally discovered during a pelvic exam or imaging studies. The activity describes the evaluation and management of Bartholin gland cyst and reviews the role of the interprofessional team in improving care for patients with this condition.

Objectives:

• Describe the common causes of gland obstruction which lead to Bartholin gland cysts.

• Outline the appearance of a Bartholin gland cyst and differentiate it from Bartholin gland abscess during the physical examination.

• Identify the treatment of symptomatic Bartholin gland cysts by incision and drainage with Word catheter placement.

• Outline the importance of collaboration and clear communication among the interprofessional team members to enhance care coordination and delivery of the best possible standard of care for patients with Bartholin gland cyst.

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Introduction

Bartholin glands, also known as the greater vestibular glands, are a pair of 0.5 cm glands located in the lower right and left portions at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions of the vaginal introitus. The Bartholin gland is a mucus-secreting gland, which plays a role in vaginal lubrication. Bartholin glands are generally nonpalpable when not obstructed. Cysts and abscesses are often found after the onset of puberty and a decrease in incidence after menopause.[1]

Etiology

A Bartholin gland cyst is a benign blockage of the Bartholin gland that is usually unilateral, asymptomatic, and maybe incidentally found during a pelvic exam or imaging studies. Bartholin gland obstruction may occur after trauma to the area, episiotomy, or childbirth; however, it may also occur without an identifiable cause.[2]

Epidemiology

Bartholin cysts/abscesses are predominantly found in women of child-bearing age. The incidence of Bartholin cysts is most often noted at the onset of puberty and increases with age until menopause.[3] Symptomatic Bartholin cysts and abscesses account for 2 percent of all gynecologic visits per year.[4]

Pathophysiology

Bartholin glands can form a cyst and an abscess in women of reproductive age. Both are difficult to differentiate on a physical exam. The cyst is usually 2-4 cm in diameter and may cause dyspareunia, urinary irritation, and vague pelvic pain. The cyst is usually filled with nonpurulent fluid that contains staphylococcus, streptococcus, and E.coli.

History and Physical

When examining a patient with a suspected Bartholin gland cyst/abscess, it is important to inquire about the duration of symptoms; tenderness with activities such as walking, sitting, standing, or sexual intercourse; purulent drainage; and history of previous Bartholin gland cyst/abscess, vaginal bleeding/discharge, or sexually transmitted infections. Bartholin cysts often have a protracted course as they are mainly asymptomatic. Take into consideration the patient’s age, because malignancy, while rare, may have a similar presentation.

The physical exam will often reveal asymmetry with a protrusion of one side (left or right) of the inferior aspect of the vulva. Bartholin gland abscesses, unlike Bartholin cysts, are very painful. While both are primarily unilateral, Bartholin abscesses are often tender to palpation, erythematous, indurated, and may have an area of fluctuance and/or purulent drainage.

Evaluation

Bartholin cyst abscesses do not frequently require further laboratory or radiographic studies; however, wound cultures and biopsy may be performed during incision and drainage of the abscess. If sexually transmitted infections are suspected, then a sexually transmitted infection panel (including gonorrhea, chlamydia) should be considered and appropriate treatment initiated. 

If malignancy is suspected due to an atypical presentation of the mass or if the patient is over 40 years old, then a biopsy should be considered. [5]

Treatment / Management

Asymptomatic Bartholin cysts do not require further treatment. Bartholin cysts or abscesses that are spontaneously draining may be managed conservatively with sitz baths and analgesics.

Although no modality of treatment, surgical or conservative, is superior to any other in terms of recurrence rate,[6] first-time Bartholin abscesses may be treated with incision and drainage with Word catheter placement due to ease and effectiveness of treatment.

Allergy history should be obtained before beginning the procedure as the Word catheter stem is composed of latex, and marsupialization is the procedure of choice in those with latex allergies.

Although this is not a sterile procedure, a mask with a face shield and a gown are recommended.

Incision and drainage with Word catheter are performed by first cleaning the region with povidone-iodine and anesthetizing the location where the incision will be made with 3 mL of 1% lidocaine. A small, approximately 3 mm, a vertical incision should be made with a #11 scalpel along the mucosal surface of the labia minora to avoid obvious scarring and to reduce the risk of Word catheter displacement. Purulent discharge evacuated may be sent to the lab for cultures, and biopsy may also be performed at this time. Word catheter is then inserted with the balloon tip sitting within the abscess cavity. Inflate the balloon tip with 3 to 5mL of saline water. For comfort and to reduce the chance of displacement, the external portion of the Word catheter is pushed into the vagina. Word catheters should be left in place for at least 4 weeks for appropriate drainage and tract epithelization.[7]

Incision and Drainage with Word catheter placement may be attempted a second time for recurrent Bartholin abscess with the addition of antibiotics. Antibiotics should cover staphylococcal, specifically methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and streptococcal species as well as enteric gram-negative aerobes, including Escherichia coli. Antibiotic choices include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole alone, amoxicillin-clavulanate plus clindamycin, or cefixime plus clindamycin. Referral to gynecology for marsupialization may also be considered at this time.

Antibiotic therapy should be considered for those who have failed initial I&D (incision and drainage) with Word catheter placement, patients with systemic symptoms including fever, patients who have suspected sepsis, and those considered at high risk for recurrence.

Marsupialization is performed by a gynecologist in the operating room, and for this reason, incision and drainage with Word catheter placement are usually attempted first. Marsupialization is performed by creating a 2-cm incision lateral to the hymenal ring, everting the edges with forceps, and suturing the edges onto the epithelial surface with interrupted absorbable sutures.[8]

Other less common procedures include silver nitrate ablation,[9] carbon dioxide laser vaporization,[10] Jacobi ring placement [11], and Bartholin gland excision as a last resort when other modalities have failed.

Women who are pregnant and have Bartholin abscesses should be treated in the same manner as nonpregnant women, with the exception of Bartholin gland excision due to the increased risk of bleeding.

Differential Diagnosis

• Other cysts (inclusion, Gartner, Skene, sebaceous, canal of Nuck)

• Vaginal prolapse

• Vulvar angiomyofibroblastoma

• Endometriosis

• Choriocarcinoma

• Myeloid sarcoma

• Perineal leiomyoma

• Myxoid leiomyosarcoma

• Fibroma

• Angiomyxoma

• Hematoma

• Myoblastoma

• Ischiorectal abscess

• Folliculitis

• Fibroadenoma

• Lipoma

• Papillary hidradenoma

• Syringoma

• Adenocarcinoma

• Squamous cell carcinoma

Pertinent Studies and Ongoing Trials

In the WoMan-trial (world catheter and marsupialization in women with a cyst or abscess of the Bartholin gland), a randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands and England between August 2010 and May 2014, 161 women were randomly allocated to treatment by Word catheter or marsupialization to compare recurrence of a cyst or abscess within 1 year.  

Recurrence occurred in 10 women (12%) in the Word catheter group and 8 women (10%) in the marsupialization group. Within the first 24 hours after treatment, 33% used analgesics in the Word catheter group versus 74% in the marsupialization group. Time from diagnosis to treatment was 1 hour for placement of Word catheter versus 4 hours for marsupialization.

Recurrence rates were found to be comparable within the two groups; however, the marsupialization group had increased use of analgesics within the first 24 hours and increased the duration of treatment.[6]

Prognosis

The prognosis is excellent but if the cyst is just aspirated, high recurrence rates have been reported. The healing and recurrence rates are similar among fistulization, marsupialization, and silver nitrate and alcohol sclerotherapy. Needle aspiration and incision and drainage, the two simplest procedures, are not recommended because of the relatively increased recurrence rate.[12]

Complications

The treatment of Bartholin’s gland cysts by traditional surgery is characterized by some disadvantages and complications such as hemorrhage, postoperative dyspareunia, infections, the necessity for general anesthesia. Contrarily, CO2 laser surgery might be less invasive and more effective as it solves many problems of traditional surgery.[13]

Postoperative and Rehabilitation Care

Sitz baths are recommended for a few days. Early ambulation and consumption of an ample amount of water are highly recommended.

Deterrence and Patient Education

The clinician, the nurse, and the pharmacist play a pivotal role in educating patients and their families about their condition. Women should be instructed to observe for any signs of infection, such as foul-smell vaginal discharge or any abnormal bleeding. Women should be encouraged to drink an ample amount of water and ambulate early, as this will help to speed their recovery.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

The nurse, the clinician, and the pharmacist must collaborate efficiently during the care of women with Bartholin gland pathology, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for these women and their families. Women with a Bartholin gland cyst are usually first seen by the primary care provider, nurse practitioner or internist. Because of the extensive differential, it is important to involve the gynecologist in the care of these patients.

The pharmacist has a very important role in educating patients about the available antimicrobial agents and in providing them with the required information about drug-drug interactions, in order to avoid any possibly preventable complications. The pharmacist should educate the patient on compliance and encourage them to immediately report any adverse events or any concerns. 

While the actual drainage or marsupialization is done by the gynecologist, the patient follow up and teaching are done by the nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner should educate the patient on how to perform sitz baths and maintaining perineal hygiene. If antibiotics are prescribed. All patients need a follow up to ensure healing has occurred.

The best standard of care to women with Bartholin gland cysts or abscesses could never be achieved without the interprofessional collaboration between the nurse, the clinician, and the pharmacist. Clear and effective communication among the members of the interprofessional team is key to the successful management of women with Bartholin gland pathology. [Level V] 

Review Questions

• Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

• Comment on this article.

Figure

Bartholin Gland Word Catheter example used in the management of Bartholin cysts in some cases. Contributed by Tammy J. Toney-Butler, AS, RN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN

Figure

Bartholin’s Gland Cyst. StatPearls Publishing Illustration

References

1.

Lee WA, Wittler M. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jan 30, 2023. Bartholin Gland Cyst. [PubMed: 30335304]

2.

Pundir J, Auld BJ. A review of the management of diseases of the Bartholin’s gland. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2008 Feb;28(2):161-5. [PubMed: 18393010]

3.

Yuk JS, Kim YJ, Hur JY, Shin JH. Incidence of Bartholin duct cysts and abscesses in the Republic of Korea. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2013 Jul;122(1):62-4. [PubMed: 23618035]

4.

Marzano DA, Haefner HK. The bartholin gland cyst: past, present, and future. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2004 Jul;8(3):195-204. [PubMed: 15874863]

5.

Visco AG, Del Priore G. Postmenopausal bartholin gland enlargement: a hospital-based cancer risk assessment. Obstet Gynecol. 1996 Feb;87(2):286-90. [PubMed: 8559540]

6.

Kroese JA, van der Velde M, Morssink LP, Zafarmand MH, Geomini P, van Kesteren P, Radder CM, van der Voet LF, Roovers J, Graziosi G, van Baal WM, van Bavel J, Catshoek R, Klinkert ER, Huirne J, Clark TJ, Mol B, Reesink-Peters N. Word catheter and marsupialisation in women with a cyst or abscess of the Bartholin gland (WoMan-trial): a randomised clinical trial. BJOG. 2017 Jan;124(2):243-249. [PubMed: 27640367]

7.

Reif P, Ulrich D, Bjelic-Radisic V, Häusler M, Schnedl-Lamprecht E, Tamussino K. Management of Bartholin’s cyst and abscess using the Word catheter: implementation, recurrence rates and costs. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2015 Jul;190:81-4. [PubMed: 25963974]

8.

JACOBSON P. Vulvovaginal (Bartholin) cyst treatment by marsupialization. West J Surg Obstet Gynecol. 1950 Dec;58(12):704-8. [PubMed: 14798829]

9.

Ozdegirmenci O, Kayikcioglu F, Haberal A. Prospective Randomized Study of Marsupialization versus Silver Nitrate Application in the Management of Bartholin Gland Cysts and Abscesses. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2009 Mar-Apr;16(2):149-52. [PubMed: 19598336]

10.

Fambrini M, Penna C, Pieralli A, Fallani MG, Andersson KL, Lozza V, Scarselli G, Marchionni M. Carbon-dioxide laser vaporization of the Bartholin gland cyst: a retrospective analysis on 200 cases. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2008 May-Jun;15(3):327-31. [PubMed: 18439506]

11.

Kushnir VA, Mosquera C. Novel technique for management of Bartholin gland cysts and abscesses. J Emerg Med. 2009 May;36(4):388-90. [PubMed: 19038518]

12.

Omole F, Kelsey RC, Phillips K, Cunningham K. Bartholin Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess: Office Management. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jun 15;99(12):760-766. [PubMed: 31194482]

13.

Frega A, Schimberni M, Ralli E, Verrone A, Manzara F, Schimberni M, Nobili F, Caserta D. Complication and recurrence rate in laser CO2 versus traditional surgery in the treatment of Bartholin’s gland cyst. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016 Aug;294(2):303-9. [PubMed: 26922440]

Disclosure: William Lee declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Micah Wittler declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Bartholin gland cyst | Dikul Center

Bartholin gland cyst (or vulvar cyst) is a cyst that can form on both sides of the labia, near the entrance to the vagina. The cyst is formed from the Bartholin glands, which produce the mucus needed to lubricate the vagina. The Bartholin glands and labia are part of the female reproductive system.

A Bartholin gland cyst is formed when the outflow of fluid from the opening of the gland is disturbed and mucus accumulates and a tubercle forms. Usually, a cyst develops on only one of the two Bartholin’s glands. Some Bartholin gland cysts are small and do not cause pain. If the cyst becomes infected, then an abscess is formed and pain may appear, and then treatment is required.

Symptoms

In most cases, a Bartholin’s cyst does not cause symptoms and can be detected during hygiene care or after a gynecological examination. Typically, cysts are painless and resolve on their own.

Some women may experience discomfort with movement or during intercourse, while others may experience general swelling of the vulva.

However, the cyst can become infected with bacteria and fester, forming an abscess. When an abscess forms, there may be symptoms such as:

• Presence of red swollen bump
• Greenish-yellow purulent discharge from swelling
• High fever with chills
• Body aches
• General weakness

Bartholin gland cyst in some cases becomes very large and causes discomfort when walking, sitting, having sex. Even if the cyst is not infected, if it is large, it can cause pain.

Causes

A Bartholin gland cyst forms when there is a blockage in the orifice of the Bartholin gland. The Bartholin glands are located to the left and right of the entrance to the vagina, and they produce mucus that lubricates the tissues of the vagina. With blockage, mucus cannot leave the gland and a cyst forms.

Causes of blockage are not always known, but may include:

• Bacterial vaginal infection, such as E. coli.
• Thick consistency of vaginal mucus
• Injuries of the vagina
• STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
• Surgical vulvovaginal procedures

Statistics show that 2% of women develop a Bartholin gland cyst during their lifetime. The cyst most often forms in sexually active women between the ages of 20 and 30. As age increases, the risk of developing a cyst decreases, as there is a gradual decrease in Bartholin’s glands and a decrease in mucus secretion.

When should I see a doctor?

A woman should contact her doctor if she develops a painful lump near the vaginal opening that does not go away after two or three days of self-care, such as soaking the area in warm water (sitz bath). If the pain is severe, you should immediately make an appointment with a doctor.

You should also contact your doctor immediately if a woman finds a new tumor near the entrance to the vagina and she is over 40 years old. Although such a tumor is rare, it can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as cancer.

Diagnosis

A doctor diagnoses a Bartholin’s cyst during a gynecological examination. The doctor will also take a medical history and take a mucus sample to check for infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

If the woman is menopausal or postmenopausal, her doctor may recommend a biopsy to rule out vulvar cancer. During a biopsy, a part of the cyst is taken for examination of the tissue in the laboratory under a microscope.

Depending on the woman’s age and the risk of sexually transmitted infections, the doctor may recommend laboratory tests (blood tests for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV).

Treatment

If a Bartholin’s cyst does not cause symptoms, then treatment may not be required as it may disappear on its own. However, if a woman notices an increase in the size or change in the shape of the cyst, then she needs to see a doctor.

If the cyst is painful or uncomfortable, your doctor may recommend warm sitz baths several times a day for three to four days. This may improve drainage and rupture of the cyst.

Women are advised not to open the cyst themselves, as this greatly increases the risk of infection.

Medications

Analgesics such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may be recommended to reduce inflammation and pain.

If an abscess has formed, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic such as cipro (ciprofloxacin), rocefin (ceftriaxone), zithromax (azithromycin), or doxycycline to help clear the infection.

If a woman is diagnosed with chlamydia, either a single dose of an antibiotic or a course of treatment can be prescribed. For gonorrhea, a single intramuscular injection of Rocephin (ceftriaxone) is usually recommended. If chlamydia is not ruled out, oral doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for seven days) is recommended.

Specialized Procedures

If the cyst does not resolve after home treatment or the cyst is infected and large, the doctor may prescribe surgical procedures.

Treatment options include:

• Needle aspiration: This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and involves inserting a needle into the cyst to suck out pus. This procedure is rarely used because of the high risk of recurrence.
• Incisional drainage: This procedure involves cutting the cyst and draining the fluid. After that procedure, there are also relapses.
• Insertion of a catheter. This procedure involves inserting a balloon catheter into the cyst after it has been incised and drained. The catheter is then inflated and left in place (for a minimum of four weeks) to form a permanent opening. After such treatment, relapses are rare.
• Marsupialization: a small incision is made in the cyst and, after drainage, the edges of the incision are sutured to create a permanent drainage channel. Marsupialization is usually performed under general anesthesia and is mainly used in women with recurrent cysts.
• Excisional resection: If other procedures fail, the surgeon may recommend complete removal of the gland. The function of mucus secretion will be taken over by the remaining gland.
• Laser vaporization. With the help of a laser, the contents of the capsule are opened and evaporated. The method is not recommended in the presence of an abscess.

Bartholin’s cyst – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of a Bartholin’s cyst

Bartholin’s cyst is a circumscribed, round, secretion-filled mass in the Bartholin’s gland that results from blockage of the excretory duct of the gland. Bartholin gland cysts are more often found in young women who are sexually active.

Bartholin’s glands (a large gland of the vestibule of the vagina) are located on both sides of the entrance to the vagina in the region of the labia minora. They protect the vulva and overlying structures from infections and injuries due to constant moisturizing and self-purification, and during sexual arousal and coition, they produce a viscous secret that acts as a lubricant and provides a woman with painless sexual intercourse.

The most common cause of Bartholin’s cyst is an acute infection in the vulva. Under the influence of infection, the external opening of the excretory duct closes, and its secret accumulates inside the gland, forming a cyst.

Sometimes the cause of the formation of a cyst of the large gland of the vaginal vestibule is a mechanical obstruction to the outflow of its contents during the development of fibrosis or hyperplasia of the surrounding tissues.

An uncomplicated small Bartholin’s cyst may not cause subjective sensations and may be incidentally discovered by a woman.

Symptoms appear only in case of infection of the cyst with the development of bartholinitis or purulent abscess of the Bartholin gland.

With infectious inflammation in the duct of the Bartholin gland, there are usually no bright symptoms, and the disease is quite easy to treat.

The vestibule of the vagina contains a significant number of nerve endings and a well-developed circulatory network, therefore, all acute pathological processes in this zone, including those in the Bartholin glands, are accompanied by pronounced clinical manifestations.

When an infection enters the cavity of the gland, the contents of the cyst become purulent, which can lead to the formation of an abscess of the Bartholin gland.

If the infection spreads to the entire gland, symptoms of an acute purulent process appear: fever, intoxication, sharp throbbing pain in the area of ​​the cyst. The skin in the area of ​​the abscess becomes purple and hot to the touch, the labia majora are very swollen and can block the entrance to the vagina.

Diagnosis of a Bartholin’s cyst begins with an examination of the vulva and a vaginal examination. External signs of a cyst are determined by its size. The asymmetry of the genital fissure is visualized, a one-sided increase in the labia majora due to inflammatory edema and large cysts, a rounded formation that rises above the skin of the labia majora. In the absence of inflammation, the skin over and around the cyst appears unchanged.

Treatment tactics depend on the size of the cyst and the presence of inflammatory changes in it. Small, no more than two centimeters, cysts of the Bartholin gland in the absence of complaints do not require urgent therapeutic measures.

Large cysts that disrupt the usual rhythm of life, as well as small cysts that cause physical and psychological discomfort to a woman, are surgically removed.

Treatment of a glandular cyst of the vestibule complicated by an inflammatory process involves conservative antibiotic therapy and surgical removal of the cyst if it is ineffective.

With a good state of “local immunity”, uncomplicated small cysts can resolve on their own, but this scenario does not guarantee the absence of a recurrence of the disease in the future.

The prognosis of the disease is generally favorable. Timely adequate treatment and subsequent preventive measures eliminate pathological changes in the glandular tissue.

If acute inflammation in the Bartholin’s gland is not treated properly or is treated by the patient himself, it can turn into a chronic inflammatory process.

Possible complications of the Bartholin gland cyst:

— purulent-inflammatory transformation of the cyst after infection (acute bartholinitis, gland abscess)

— development chronic inflammatory process and relapses (chronic bartholinitis, cyst recurrence)

– in immunodeficient conditions and diseases, the infection can enter the bloodstream (sepsis) or form fistulas – non-physiological passages between the gland and surrounding tissues.