Why do you get bartholin cyst

If a Bartholin duct gets blocked, fluid builds up in the gland. The blocked gland is called a Bartholin gland cyst. Sometimes it's called a Bartholin duct cyst. These cysts can range in size from a pea to a large marble. They usually grow slowly. If the Bartholin gland or duct gets infected, it's called a Bartholin gland abscess. Bartholin gland cysts are often small and painless.

Some go away without treatment. But if you have symptoms, you might want treatment. If the cyst is infected, you will need treatment. Things like thick mucus or swelling can block a Bartholin gland duct and cause a cyst. The cyst can get bigger after sex, because the glands make more fluid during sex. Infected Bartholin cysts are sometimes caused by sexually transmitted infections STIs.

You can lower your risk of STIs by using a condom when you have sex. You may not have any symptoms if the Bartholin gland cyst is small. But a large cyst or an infected cyst abscess can cause symptoms. Symptoms of a cyst that is not infected include:.

Symptoms of an infected cyst include:. You may find a Bartholin gland cyst on your own, or your doctor may notice it during a physical exam. Experts believe that the cause of a Bartholin's cyst is a backup of fluid. Fluid may accumulate when the opening of the gland duct becomes obstructed, perhaps caused by infection or injury.

A Bartholin's cyst can become infected, forming an abscess. A number of bacteria may cause the infection, including Escherichia coli E. There's no way to prevent a Bartholin's cyst. However, safer sex practices — in particular, using condoms — and good hygiene habits may help to prevent infection of a cyst and the formation of an abscess.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Bartholin's cyst Open pop-up dialog box Close. Bartholin's cyst The Bartholin's glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Most of these treatments involve a minor surgical procedure. A Bartholin's cyst usually affects sexually active women aged between 20 and 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. 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 one developing. Page last reviewed: 23 July Next review due: 23 July Overview - Bartholin's cyst Contents Overview Treatment. Symptoms of a Bartholin's cyst You may feel a soft, painless lump. 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.

These tubes are called Bartholin ducts. If a Bartholin duct gets blocked, fluid builds up in the gland. The blocked gland is called a Bartholin gland cyst.

Sometimes it's called a Bartholin duct cyst. These cysts can range in size from a pea to a large marble. They usually grow slowly. If the Bartholin gland or duct gets infected, it's called a Bartholin gland abscess. Bartholin gland cysts are often small and painless. Some go away without treatment. But if you have symptoms, you might want treatment. If the cyst is infected, you will need treatment.

Things like an infection, thick mucus, or swelling can block a Bartholin gland duct and cause a cyst. The cyst can get bigger after sex, because the glands make more fluid during sex.

Infected Bartholin cysts are sometimes caused by sexually transmitted infections STIs. You can lower your risk of STIs by using a condom when you have sex. You may not have any symptoms if the Bartholin gland cyst is small.

But a large cyst or an infected cyst abscess can cause symptoms. You may find a Bartholin gland cyst on your own, or your doctor may notice it during a physical exam. Unless it is causing symptoms, you may not know you have one.