Most Bartholin's cysts do not cause any symptoms. However, you may feel a soft, painless lump in your labia (the two pairs of lips that surround the entrance to your vagina).
You may not know that you have a cyst until it is found by a healthcare professional during a routine cervical screening test (smear test) or another gynaecological examination. A gynaecologist is a specialist in treating conditions of the female reproductive system.
If the cyst grows very large, it can become uncomfortable and noticeable. You may experience pain in your vulva (external sexual organs) at certain times such as:
- during sexual intercourse,
- when walking, or
- when sitting down.
Sometimes, the cyst can affect the labia majora (the outer pair of lips around the opening of the vagina). One side may look swollen or bigger than usual.
Abscess
An abscess is a painful collection of pus. If the cyst becomes infected, it can cause an abscess. This will be inflamed (swollen) and tender to touch. It can cause a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above.
Glossary
Vagina
The vagina is a tube of muscle that runs from the cervix (the opening of the womb) to the vulva (the external sexual organs).
Labia minora
The inner pair of lips surrounding the entrance to the vagina.
Labia majora
The outer pair of lips surrounding the entrance to the vagina.
Vulva
A woman’s external sexual organs, made up of the outer part of the vagina, the clitoris and the two pairs of lips surrounding the entrance to the vagina (the labia majora and labia minora).
