What should you know about a tiny Bartholin cyst?

The Bartholin glands sit on either side of the vaginal opening and help provide moisture. If the duct from a gland becomes blocked, fluid can collect and form a cyst. A small cyst may feel like a smooth bump on one side and may cause little or no discomfort. It is not the same as an abscess, which is an infected collection that can cause increasing pain, warmth, redness or pus.

Do not squeeze, pierce or try to drain the lump yourself. The appearance and position of a vulval lump can overlap with other conditions, so an examination is useful if you are unsure what you have noticed.

Keep the area clean and dry, wear loose cotton underwear, and avoid activities that rub the lump if they make it sore. A warm, shallow bath may ease discomfort. Arrange a routine appointment if the lump persists, returns, interferes with sitting or sex, or you cannot identify it confidently. A clinician may examine it and discuss observation or drainage depending on its symptoms and appearance.

If treatment is needed because the cyst keeps returning or causes symptoms, Bartholin cyst marsupialisation creates an opening to help fluid drain and reduce blockage. Your clinician can explain whether that approach fits your situation.

Seek prompt medical care if the lump becomes rapidly more painful or swollen, the skin is hot or red, you develop fever or feel unwell, or walking and sitting become difficult. These features can indicate an abscess that may need assessment and treatment. Any new Bartholin-area lump after menopause should also be examined rather than watched at home.

Could this be a Bartholin cyst or another vulval lump? Does it show signs of infection? Is observation reasonable, and what changes should prompt a review? If drainage is suggested, which method is appropriate and how can recurrence be reduced?