A Bartholin's Cyst?

Many of you active in this forum have recurring Bartholin's cysts and are very experienced in the subject, so I'd like to compare notes.

Sunday morning when I used the toilet and wiped, I felt a twinge of an ache around my vaginal opening. I didn't think anything of it--I use the vaginal ring NuvaRing as contraception and had recently put a new one in, which requires pushing and positioning in that area and can sometimes leave the vaginal opening a bit sore. But then yesterday, whenever I used the toilet and had contact with my genital area, the ache continued. At one point, I used a compact mirror to try to see if I had any razor burn that would be bothering me. At first I saw nothing, but when I pulled the lips back from the vaginal opening, I saw a small, red bump on the right side that looked inflamed. 

Immediately, I panicked. My first thought was that I had an STD. I'm single and sexually active in the dating world, however, my last contact with a partner was almost 8 weeks ago, and he and I were transparent with one another about our testing status. I was last tested in June and had a clean bill of health, and he was my only partner in the interium (and, before anyone asks, I realise that healthcare providers don't include testing for all STDs in an "STD panel," however, I always ask for HSV 1 & 2 by name, so I know that, as of June, I was negative for herpes). I then started researching other causes of vaginal lumps and bumps, and came across the Bartholin's Cyst. From the descriptions on a number of healthcare provider websites, the cyst forms in the spot where I found my bump, and commonly forms on either one side or the other of the vaginal opening. I read about home treatments such as sitz baths and hot compresses, and took a long sitz bath last evening that helped a lot. I looked at the area again this morning and saw it was much less inflamed, though there was still a small bump. I also recall that I had a similar bump a number of years ago, also on the right side of the opening, and was told by my doctor to bathe in warm water. 

In reading through these postings, many of you have chronic recurring Bartholin's Cysts that you describe as painful. Mine is not painful, and I don't feel it when I walk or sit; I only notice it when I use the toilet or when I'm specifically examining the area. It is tender, but certainly not a sharp, shooting paing. So I'm wondering, are Bartholin's Cysts necessarily painful? Or is sharp pain only associated with abscesses?

My plan of action is to continue the sitz baths, keep the area clean and dry, and monitor the bump for the next day or two. If it doesn't go away, I'll see my doctor. Any advice or experience you can share would be very helpful! Thanks!

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