Bartholin Cyst: What to Do and When to See a Doctor
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 31 October 2026
A Bartholin cyst is a lump by the vaginal opening. How to tell a cyst from an abscess, safe home care, when to see a doctor today and how it is treated.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
A Bartholin cyst is a fluid-filled lump on one side of the vaginal opening. It forms when a small gland gets blocked. Most are painless and harmless, and many settle with warm baths. A lump that turns hot, red and very painful, or comes with fever or pus, may be an abscess. That needs a doctor today.
- The two Bartholin glands sit on each side of the vaginal opening. They make fluid that keeps the vagina moist.
- A cyst is a blocked gland filled with fluid. An abscess is an infected cyst filled with pus.
- A small, painless cyst often needs only warm baths and time.
- Never squeeze, prick or cut the lump yourself. It can cause infection.
- See a doctor today if the lump grows fast, hurts a lot, leaks pus or comes with a fever.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What is a Bartholin cyst?
The Bartholin glands are two small glands, one on each side of the vaginal opening. They make fluid that keeps the vagina moist. Mayo Clinic explains that when a gland gets blocked, the fluid backs up and forms a cyst.
The NHS says it mostly affects women aged 20 to 50. It usually appears on one side only. In Spain it is called a quiste de Bartolino. An infected gland is often called bartolinitis.
What does a Bartholin cyst feel like?
- A soft lump on one side of the vaginal opening.
- It can be as small as a pea or as large as a golf ball, says the NHS.
- One side of the labia may look swollen or larger.
- Discomfort when you walk, sit or have sex.
Many small cysts cause no symptoms at all.
Is it a cyst or an abscess?
A cyst holds fluid and is usually painless. An abscess holds pus. It forms when the fluid in a cyst gets infected. Mayo Clinic notes that this can happen within a few days.
| Sign | Cyst | Abscess |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | None or mild | Intense, and worse when you walk or sit |
| Skin over the lump | Looks normal | Hot, red, swollen and tender |
| Growth | Slow, or not at all | Bigger and more painful over hours or days |
| Fever | No | Sometimes, and you may feel unwell |
| Discharge | None | Pus, sometimes smelly |
The NHS points out that redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin. Heat, swelling and pain still count.
What causes a Bartholin abscess?
Germs get into the trapped fluid. Mayo Clinic lists bacteria such as E. coli. It also lists the germs behind some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
A Bartholin cyst is not an STI. Still, a doctor may test the fluid or offer STI tests.
What can I do at home for a Bartholin cyst?
For a small cyst that is not very painful, the NHS suggests these steps:
- Sit in a warm bath a few times a day, for 3 to 4 days. A shallow bath, called a sitz bath, works well.
- Hold a cloth or cotton wool soaked in warm water gently on the lump.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain, if they are right for you. Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Keep the area clean and dry.
Sometimes the cyst bursts on its own. The NHS says that is fine, and the pain should ease.
Can I pop or drain a Bartholin cyst myself?
No. Do not squeeze, prick or cut the lump, even with a clean needle. The NHS warns that draining it yourself can cause infection. You can turn a simple cyst into an abscess. If the lump needs draining, a doctor does it with local anaesthetic and sterile tools.
A painful lump near the vaginal opening and not sure if it can wait?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He asks about your symptoms and helps you decide whether home care is enough or you need to be seen in person today.
When should I see a doctor about a lump near the vagina?
The NHS advises seeing a GP about any lump in or around the vagina. Most are harmless, but a doctor should check.
See a doctor today, without waiting, if the lump:
- Gets bigger and more painful over hours or days.
- Leaks pus.
- Is hot, red, swollen and tender.
- Comes with a fever, or you feel unwell.
- Makes it hard to walk or sit.
MedlinePlus adds two more reasons to call a doctor. One is a painful lump that does not improve after 2 to 3 days of home care. The other is a fever above 38°C.
Over 40? Mayo Clinic advises seeing a doctor promptly for any new lump near the vaginal opening if you are older than 40. Rarely, it can be a sign of something more serious, such as cancer. A doctor may suggest a small tissue sample (a biopsy).
Go to urgencias today if the pain is severe, the lump is large and tense, or you have a high temperature. Call 112 if you feel faint or confused.
How is a Bartholin cyst or abscess treated?
Treatment depends on the size of the lump, how much it hurts and whether it is infected, says Mayo Clinic.
- Antibiotics. The NHS says an infected cyst is treated with antibiotics. MedlinePlus says they may be used when there is pus or other signs of infection.
- Drainage. A doctor makes a small cut and lets the fluid out. It is often done with local anaesthetic, so you are awake. Sometimes a general anaesthetic is used.
- A thin tube (catheter). It is left in the cut so the gland keeps draining. The NHS says it usually stays for about 4 weeks. MedlinePlus says 4 to 6 weeks, with no sex until it is removed.
- Marsupialisation. The doctor opens the cyst and stitches its edges to the skin. This leaves a small, lasting opening so the gland can drain.
- Removing the gland. A doctor may suggest this if abscesses keep coming back. It is usually done in hospital.
MedlinePlus says the chance of full recovery is excellent. Still, Mayo Clinic notes that a cyst or abscess can come back. Safer sex, especially condoms, and good hygiene may help prevent infection.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Ask how the lump started, how fast it grew and how much it hurts.
- Tell you whether home care is enough, or whether you need an exam or drainage in person today.
- Talk through pain relief and STI tests if they make sense.
A video visit cannot drain an abscess. If you need that, he tells you where to go.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Bartholin cyst dangerous?
Usually not. Most are harmless and many settle on their own. An infected cyst (an abscess) needs a doctor today.
Will a Bartholin cyst go away on its own?
Small cysts often settle, or burst and drain, with warm baths. See a doctor if it does not improve after 2 to 3 days or gets more painful.
Can I pop a Bartholin cyst at home?
No. Squeezing or draining it yourself can cause infection. If it needs draining, a doctor does it with local anaesthetic.
Is a Bartholin cyst an STI?
No. It is a blocked gland. Germs from some STIs can infect it, so a doctor may suggest tests.
How is a Bartholin abscess treated?
Usually by draining it through a small cut, sometimes with a thin tube left in for a few weeks. Antibiotics may be added if there are signs of infection.
Can a Bartholin cyst come back?
Yes. If it keeps coming back, a doctor may suggest marsupialisation or removing the gland.
Sources
- NHS: Bartholin's cyst
- Mayo Clinic: Bartholin's cyst, symptoms and causes
- MedlinePlus: Bartholin cyst or abscess
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
