What Is a Vaginal Cyst?
Vaginal cysts can be caused by injury during childbirth. Fluid builds up in the glands or a benign tumor or tumors can form within the vagina.
What types of vaginal cysts are there?
- Bartholin’s cysts – near the opening of the vagina
- Inclusion cysts – most common and is caused by injury during childbirth
- Gartner’s duct cysts – organ remains in the pelvis caused by miscarriage
- Endometriosis – usually this condition is in the uterus and uncommonly affects the vagina
- Benign tumors – also uncommon in the vagina and usually are composed of several cysts looking like a tumor
- Cystoceles and rectoceles – are bulges from the bladder or rectum pushing through the vaginal wall due to weakened muscles surrounding the vagina/ this happens during childbirth and are not cysts but resemble them.
What can happen if vaginal cysts are left untreated?
Some Vaginal Cysts can be cancerous and early treatment is vital. Vaginal Cysts that are not cancerous can cause serious complications such as infection.
An infected Vaginal Cyst fills with bacteria and pus and becomes an abscess. If the abscess bursts inside the body, there is a risk of blood poisoning.
Do vaginal cysts ever go away on their own?
Benign Vaginal Cysts usually don’t cause long-term problems. In some cases, they do go away on their own. However, if Vaginal Cysts continue to refill with fluid after being drained it should be considered with a physician’s approval to be removed.
What do vaginal cysts look like?
Noncancerous Vaginal Cysts are usually closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid, pus, or other material. Vaginal Cysts feel like large peas under the surface of the skin. If an unusual bump or lump appears in the vaginal cavity, a physician should be seen as soon as possible.
What treatments can be done without seeing a physician?
- Warm baths several times a day to help drain the cyst
- Avoid clothes that rub or chafe areas affected
- Wear cotton panties or other natural materials that are breathable and keep the area cool and dry.
Do hormones or STDs cause vaginal cysts?
Gonorrhea is a common cause of Bartholin’s cysts. Hormone imbalance can cause dryness and irritation to the vaginal walls but has not been found to cause Vaginal Cysts.
Contact your OBGYN at Texas Healthcare if you have symptoms related to vaginal cysts.
