When a suspected Bartholin cyst turns black

Dark colour can reflect blood, bruising, injured skin, reduced blood flow, or another condition, but appearance alone cannot identify the cause. Arrange urgent care today, particularly if the colour is new, spreading, or paired with marked pain or swelling.

An uncomplicated Bartholin cyst is usually felt as a lump near one lower side of the vaginal opening. Black tissue is not a feature to use for self-confirming that diagnosis. Friction, bleeding beneath the surface, tissue injury, infection, and non-cyst vulval conditions may produce a dark appearance.

Natural vulval skin colour varies widely, so compare the area with its usual appearance rather than with photographs of another person. A clinician needs to inspect the surface, feel the swelling, assess circulation and infection, and determine whether the lump truly arises from the Bartholin gland.

Do not squeeze, pierce, cut, or apply bleaching products, antiseptic concentrates, or unprescribed creams. Avoid sex and activities that rub the area, wear loose clothing, and keep the skin gently clean and dry. If there is drainage or bleeding, use a clean pad without packing the opening.

When contacting a clinic, state clearly that a vulval lump has developed new black discoloration. Mention when the change began, whether it followed pressure or injury, and whether there is pain, numbness, fever, discharge, bleeding, or trouble urinating.

Seek urgent same-day assessment for new black or dusky colour over the lump. Go to emergency care sooner if the dark area spreads, pain is severe or escalating, swelling grows quickly, the skin feels numb or unusually cold, there is heavy bleeding, or you cannot pass urine.

Fever, pus, spreading warmth or redness, faintness, confusion, or feeling severely unwell are also emergency warning signs. Do not wait to see whether discoloration fades when any of these features is present.

Ask what is causing the colour change, whether the skin and blood supply are healthy, and whether the lump is in the Bartholin gland area. If drainage or another procedure is proposed, ask how urgently it is needed, how the wound will be cared for, and which changes require immediate return.