Bartholin’s cyst

A Bartholin's cyst, also called a Bartholin's duct cyst, is a small growth just inside the opening of a woman’s vagina. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that are usually harmless.

Bartholin’s glands

The Bartholin’s glands are a pair of pea-sized glands that are found just behind, and either side of, the labia minora (the inner pair of lips surrounding the entrance to the vagina). The glands are not usually noticeable because they are rarely larger than 1cm (0.4 inches) across.

The Bartholin’s glands secrete fluid that acts as a lubricant during sexual intercourse. The fluid travels down tiny ducts (tubes) that are about 2cm (0.8 inches) long, into the vagina. If the ducts become blocked they will fill with fluid and expand. This then becomes a cyst.

How common is a Bartholin’s cyst?

Most estimates suggest that around 2% of women will experience a Bartholin’s cyst at some point in their lives. The condition tends to affect sexually active women, who are between 20-30 years of age.

The Bartholin’s glands do not start functioning until puberty, so Bartholin’s cysts do not usually affect children.

During the menopause, the Bartholin’s glands tend to shrink. Therefore, any swellings in the vulva (the external sexual organs) of women who have started the menopause are unlikely to be Bartholin’s cysts.

Outlook

A Bartholin's cyst can remain small and painless, and may not cause any symptoms. However, it is possible for the cyst to become infected, which can cause an abscess (a painful collection of pus) in the Bartholin’s gland.

If the cyst becomes large, or painful, a number of treatments are available to drain and remove the cyst. Most treatments involve having a minor surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic (painkilling mediation) that takes around 20 minutes to complete.

Following surgery to drain and remove a cyst, it will take around two weeks for you to fully recover. Depending on which procedure is used, the cyst or abscess can reoccur in up to 38% of people.