Vaginal Cyst- Meaning, Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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.

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WHAT IS A VAGINAL CYST

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. In most cases, vaginal cysts are found incidentally during a routine pelvic examination. However, larger cysts can cause discomfort or pain during sex, or difficulty with urination or bowel movements. The sac-like structure develops in the vaginal wall or around the vaginal opening and is usually filled with fluid, and its size can range from tiny to several centimeters in diameter.

Vaginal cysts are generally benign, meaning they are not cancerous, and they can develop at any age.

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.

1

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.

2

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.

3

Sebaceous cyst

Type of cyst that develops due to blockage of sebaceous glands (responsible for oil production) in external genitalia or vulva.

4

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.

5

CAUSES

Vaginal injuries
Blocked vaginal ducts or glands
Vaginal infections

HOW IS IT FORMED

Vaginal cysts are formed when a gland or duct in the vaginal wall becomes blocked, causing the secretion of fluids to accumulate and form a sac. They can also be caused by injury or trauma to the vaginal wall, or as a result of an infection. Some types of vaginal cysts include Bartholin's gland cysts, Gartner's duct cysts, and Skene's gland cysts. 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 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.

The symptoms of a vaginal cyst can vary depending on the size and location of the cyst. In most cases, vaginal cysts do not cause any symptoms and are discovered during routine pelvic exams. However, larger cysts may cause discomfort, pain during sex, or difficulty with urination.

SYMPTOMS

Small bump on the vagina
Painful Sex
Discomfort in the genitals
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 is cancerous :

Biopsy
Vaginal fluid test
Ultrasound - Imaging test to look for the size of the vaginal cyst
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

Sit for sometime in a bathtub containing warm water

Use warm compresses to help heal small cysts

Maintain good hygiene to prevent infection

DONT's

Do not shave in the area with the cyst

Avoid rubbing the area

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 COMPLICATIONS

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:

Fever
Painful sex
Foul discharge
Discomfort
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.

Financial Options

No Cost EMI

Cashless
(Insurance)

Reimbursement
(Insurance)

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. Most of the time, the insurer will cover a particular amount for the surgery. However, the amount of coverage depends on the type of policy. It is essential to know that treatments other than surgical treatments will not be covered under health insurance.

Know more about Vaginal cyst

A vaginal cyst is a type of fluid-filled sac that develops inside or just outside the vagina. These cysts are usually benign (non-cancerous) and can vary in size from very small to quite large. In most cases, vaginal cysts do not cause any symptoms and are found incidentally during a routine pelvic examination. However, larger cysts can cause discomfort or pain during sex, or difficulty with urination or bowel movements.
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FAQs

There are various ways to treat vaginal cysts antibiotics, sitz bath, or surgical drainage of the cyst.

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.

Vaginal cysts are common in women after childbirth or any kind of trauma or injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vaginal cysts are mostly soft protrusions felt on the vaginal walls. They vary in size, and infections can cause them to be complicated.

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Vaginal Cyst- Meaning, Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

WHAT IS A VAGINAL CYST