Vaginal cysts are soft lumps formed on the vaginal walls. The vagina is part of the female reproductive system. The vaginal opening is surrounded by labia, where the vaginal cysts can be felt. The vaginal cyst may also be present inside the vagina. Cysts are tissue pockets filled with pus, fluid, air, or other materials. Vaginal cysts mostly contain pus, fluid, or air. They occur mainly in reproductively active women.
What is Vaginal Cysts
A vaginal cyst is a bump containing air, mucous, or pus on the vaginal walls. Vaginal cysts that are small mostly go undetected and do not pose any harm to health.
Types of Vaginal Cysts
Inclusion cysts
Type of cyst formed in the lower back of the vaginal walls. These types of cysts are small in size and mostly go unnoticed. Inclusion cysts are the most common type of cyst developing on the vaginal walls due to vaginal injuries in the process of childbirth or certain surgery.
Bartholin cyst
Type of cyst filled with infectious fluid present on the vaginal opening where Bartholin’s glands are located. The bartholin gland is responsible for secreting lubricating fluid inside the vagina and on its outer lips.
Gartner’s duct cyst
The type of cyst formed as a result of the remaining glands of the developing embryo that must have disappeared in normal circumstances. These leftover glands or ducts lead to the formation of cysts inside the vagina.
Sebaceous cyst
Type of cyst that develops due to blockage of sebaceous glands (responsible for oil production) in external genitalia or vulva.
Muller’s cyst
Another type of vaginal cyst is commonly found on the walls of the vagina. These may contain mucus and develops due to materials that remain in the course of the development of a baby in the uterus.
Causes
Vaginal injuries
Tears or rips inside the vagina due to trauma or childbirth cause injuries to vaginal walls leading to the inclusion or Gartner’s vaginal cyst.
Blocked vaginal ducts or glands
Blocking of ducts or glands causes the accumulation of fluid or pus, eventually forming a lump. These lumps may get infected, causing pain and inflammation of cysts like a sebaceous cysts.
Vaginal Infections
Infections occur when certain microorganisms accumulate in and around the genitals, mainly the vagina. Infection can occur due to bacteria like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Sex with a person having STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) is a major cause of vaginal infections. Therefore, it is important to follow safer sexual practices.
How is it Formed
There are different types of vaginal cysts formed due to various reasons. Blockage of ducts or glands present in and around the vagina causes accumulations of fluids, or pus-forming lumps called a vaginal cysts. Vaginal injuries during the process of childbirth or surgeries cause the trapping of tissues on the vaginal surface, leading to the formation of vaginal cysts.
Symptoms
- 1. Small bump on the vagina
- 2. Painful Sex
- 3. Discomfort in the genitals
- 4. Fever and pain (in case of infected cyst)
-
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Healthcare providers make the diagnosis of a vaginal cyst by looking at or touching the cyst. The cyst is examined in timely intervals in order to check if it grows in size.
To rule out that vaginal cysts us cancerous :
- 1. Biopsy
- 2. Vaginal fluid test
- 3. Ultrasound – Imaging test to look for the size of the vaginal cyst
- 4. MRI – It is done to look for the changes in size or texture of the vaginal cyst and check if it is a tumour.
-
Do’s
- 1. Sit for sometime in a bathtub containing warm water
- 2. Use warm compresses to help heal small cysts
- 3. Maintain good hygiene to prevent infection
-
Dont’s
- 1. Do not shave in the area with the cyst
- 2. Avoid rubbing the area
- 3. Avoid having sex (especially with multiple partners)
-
Treatments
Non Surgical Treatments
Sitz Bath
Sitting in a bathtub containing lukewarm water gives comfort and helps in healing the vaginal cyst. Several sittings in a day for 3-4 minutes prove to be beneficial.
Antibiotic treatment
To help deal with the infected cyst, antibiotics are given to relieve inflammation, swelling and pus due to bacterial infections in the vaginal cyst.
Surgical Treatments
Draining
A vaginal cyst is drained by inserting a catheter ( a small tube) inside the vaginal cyst to drain out the fluid or pus in the vaginal cyst.
Marsupialization
The process of surgically opening the cyst and draining its fluid or pus, and stitching it from one side only is called marsupialization.
Risks And Comlications
There is always a risk of infection of vaginal cysts that can lead to various complications. There is also a risk of developing abnormal or cancerous outgrowth of vaginal cysts.
Complications:
- 1. Fever
- 2. Painful sex
- 3. Foul discharge
- 4. Discomfort
- 5. Pus collection
-
If Left Untreated
If vaginal cysts are left untreated, they may become enlarged, swollen and filled with pus or fluids upon getting infected. It is crucial to diagnose it to rule out if it is cancerous.
Cost
Surgical treatment of vaginal cysts costs between ₹15,000 to ₹45,000. The cost varies depending on the type of surgical treatment procedure.
Insurance Coverage
The cost of insurance for the treatment of a vaginal cyst is covered only when surgery is required to remove the vaginal cyst.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. How to get rid of vaginal cysts?
There are various ways to treat vaginal cysts antibiotics, sitz bath, or surgical drainage of the cyst.
Q.2. What does a vaginal cyst look like?
The vaginal cyst appears as a bump under the vaginal skin. The bump or pimple can be small as the size of a pea or larger. The area in and around the vaginal cyst is swollen and appears red.
Q.3. Is having a vaginal cyst considered normal?
Vaginal cysts are common in women after childbirth or any kind of trauma or injury.
Q.4. How to treat vaginal cysts at home?
An uncomplicated vaginal cyst can be treated at home by applying a hot and wet compress to release the pus inside the cyst. Soaking the vaginal area in a shallow bath with warm water may also give some relief.
Q.5. How will I know that I have a vaginal cyst?
A vaginal cyst is a sac-like membranous structure containing air or fluid under the vaginal skin. It feels like a bump on touching and can be painful and tight.
Q.6. Can a vaginal cyst turn into a cancerous cyst?
Most vaginal cysts are benign (not cancerous). Some of the cysts can turn into a tumour or can be cancerous. Therefore, it is advised that the vaginal cyst should not be left untreated. It is important to consult a gynaecologist and get it diagnosed.
Q.7. How to check if the vaginal cyst is cancerous?
The cyst that is benign may or may not be painful. Cancerous cysts are large and are not painful on touching or pressing. A benign vaginal cyst does not grow with time, but the cancerous cyst grows steadily.
Q.8. Can vaginal cysts go on their own?
Vaginal cysts are mostly benign. They can go away or resolve with time. A vaginal cyst becomes a matter of concern when it gets infected, swollen, or enlarges over time.
Q.9. Are vaginal cysts hard or soft?
Vaginal cysts are mostly soft protrusions felt on the vaginal walls. They vary in size, and infections can cause them to be complicated.
Related Posts
You May Also Like