Vaginal Cysts – Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

Vaginal cysts are small lumps like structures that are formed in or around the vagina. Typically cysts contain air and a mix of fluids such as puss and blood. There are several kinds of cysts and out of those; three are prominent and mostly seen.

1. Vaginal Inclusion Cysts
2. Gartner’s duct Cysts
3. Bartholin’s Cyst

How are vaginal cysts formed?

Different reasons exist for different types of cysts.

Vaginal Inclusion Cysts – These are the most common types of cysts that are formed during vaginal child birth or due to an injury caused on the walls of the vagina during a surgery.

Gartner’s duct Cysts – These cysts are formed because of any remnants (of foetus) that are left over inside the pelvis of the woman after delivery. The remnants gather fluids and stick to the walls of the vagina.

Bartholin’s Cyst – Bartholin’s glands are located near the vaginal opening, in the labia region. They produce fluids to lubricate the vagina. When these glands are covered up with any skin or obstacle, the fluids gets stuck in it resulting in the formation of Bartholin’s Cyst. When Bartholin’s cyst is infected, it results in the formation of abscess that needs to be drained. Typically, Bartholin’s cyst forms only on one side of the vagina.

Symptoms of Vaginal Cysts

Usually vaginal cysts don’t show up any symptoms. However, they can cause discomfort and pain when having sex or when inserting a tampon. Bartholin’s Cyst may be noticed when it becomes considerably bigger.

How are Vaginal Cysts diagnosed?

Since the vaginal cysts don’t show up any symptoms, they can be found only during a regular pelvic examination or if your doctor is inspecting your body for a different reason. When your gynecologist detects any cyst in or around the vagina, he/she may ask you to get some tests done. They include:

1. Biopsy – A small tissue will be removed from the cyst and looked under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.
2. Testing Vaginal fluids – This will reveal if there is any sexually transmitted infection that has or yet to infect the cysts.
3. MRI Scan or a CT scan to see the size and exact location of the cyst.

Treatment of Vaginal Cysts

If the cysts are infected and has puss, they will be drained off the puss and any other fluids. You will then be put on antibiotics. You will need to complete the course of antibiotics.

Some cysts are to be removed surgically. You need an experienced gynecologist to get this done so that there is no other surgery related complication.

Care to be taken when you are diagnosed with Vaginal Cysts

When you have cysts near or in the vagina, your partner or you should use a condom to prevent any infection from spreading. In case if your doctor detects any presence of Sexually Transmitted Infection, it is better to stay away from sex until your infection is cleared.

You will need to be in touch with your gynecologist until your problem is completely gone.  You should not stop your medication in the middle even if your symptoms ease. In case of infections, stopping medication without completing the course can lead to return of the infection but this time, the microbes in the infection would have become antibiotic resistant.