Hi Liz,
No need to feel embarrassed. We are here to help and never to judge.
I can give you some basic information about a vaginal cyst.
A vaginal cyst is a closed sac located on or under the vaginal lining. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus or other material.
There are several types of vaginal cysts. Vaginal inclusion cysts are the most common and form as a result of injury to the vaginal walls during the birth process or after surgery. They are usually very small and located in the lower back of the vaginal wall.
Bartholin's gland cysts are fluid-filled cysts that form on the Bartholin's glands. These glands sit on either side of the opening to the vagina and produce the fluid that lubricated the vaginal lips called the labia.
Gartner's duct cysts and Mullerian cysts occur during pregnancy.
In general, vaginal cysts usually form when a gland or duct becomes clogged, causing liquid or another material to collect inside. The cause depends on the type.
Vaginal cysts usually don't cause symptoms and shouldn't be painful. Some larger cysts, especially Bartholin's gland cysts can cause discomfort when you walk, have sex or insert a tampon. Cysts are more likely to cause pain when they get infected.
Vaginal cysts usually do not need to be treated. You might need to have a biopsy to rule out cancer. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue from the cysts. The sample is examined under a microscope to see if it is cancerous.
An infected cyst is treated with antibiotics. Large, fluid-filled cysts can be drained. If you are really uncomfortable, it is possible to have surgery to remove the entire cyst.
Some health care providers recommend that women over the age of 40 have surgery to remove a vaginal cyst because of the possibility that it might be cancerous. Cysts that are treated with surgery usually do not come back.
I hope that this information is helpful to you. You may consider making another appointment with your doctor to get information specific to you. Write down your questions ahead of time. And don't leave until you have had your questions adequately answered and you full understand.
Comment Reply
Hi Liz,
No need to feel embarrassed. We are here to help and never to judge.
I can give you some basic information about a vaginal cyst.
A vaginal cyst is a closed sac located on or under the vaginal lining. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus or other material.
There are several types of vaginal cysts. Vaginal inclusion cysts are the most common and form as a result of injury to the vaginal walls during the birth process or after surgery. They are usually very small and located in the lower back of the vaginal wall.
Bartholin's gland cysts are fluid-filled cysts that form on the Bartholin's glands. These glands sit on either side of the opening to the vagina and produce the fluid that lubricated the vaginal lips called the labia.
Gartner's duct cysts and Mullerian cysts occur during pregnancy.
In general, vaginal cysts usually form when a gland or duct becomes clogged, causing liquid or another material to collect inside. The cause depends on the type.
Vaginal cysts usually don't cause symptoms and shouldn't be painful. Some larger cysts, especially Bartholin's gland cysts can cause discomfort when you walk, have sex or insert a tampon. Cysts are more likely to cause pain when they get infected.
Vaginal cysts usually do not need to be treated. You might need to have a biopsy to rule out cancer. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue from the cysts. The sample is examined under a microscope to see if it is cancerous.
An infected cyst is treated with antibiotics. Large, fluid-filled cysts can be drained. If you are really uncomfortable, it is possible to have surgery to remove the entire cyst.
Some health care providers recommend that women over the age of 40 have surgery to remove a vaginal cyst because of the possibility that it might be cancerous. Cysts that are treated with surgery usually do not come back.
I hope that this information is helpful to you. You may consider making another appointment with your doctor to get information specific to you. Write down your questions ahead of time. And don't leave until you have had your questions adequately answered and you full understand.
Wishing you the best,
Maryann
March 13, 2012 - 5:36pmThis Comment
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