Chronic Bartholin Abscess and Cysts - My Experience
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After roughly 5 years of experience with these beasts I opted to have my gland removed. I feel as though I've been through hell and back and almost feel a sense of obligation to share my story to those who may be going through the same thing. I know I wanted to know everything about them, so the least I can do is contribute my knowledge of the topic.
*I am NOT a medical professional and I am not dishing out medical advice, just sharing an experience*
I got my first abscess towards the end of my senior year of college. I'm now 27. I had the abscess drained by OB and it did not reappear until several years later. And guess when it decided to return? My honeymoon. My honeymoon was completely ruined. We were in the Dominican Republic and I noticed it starting to swell up the morning after we arrived. By that afternoon I was already starting to feel sluggish and almost like I had the flu. By the third day I was in bed with a 102 degree fever. I was too embarrassed and nervous to see an actual doctor in the Dominican so we went to the resort clinic and I faked a sinus infection knowing they would give me antibiotics. The antibiotics did not help (cephalexin) and I still had several days until I could get a flight back to the states. I writhed in pain for days, I didn't sleep for 3 days straight. I made a half-assed attempt at popping it WITH A NEEDLE. That is what desperation will do to you! The pain was so bad I had to stop and LAY DOWN IN THE AIRPORT when we were trying to get home. Do you know how disgusting and humiliating it is to lay down on the ground in an airport? I refused to get help until we got home. There is just something about getting cut open by someone you don't know in an unfamiliar place that is just unsettling...I cried for the entire day during the course of our 2 flights home. My husband rushed me to the ER as soon as we landed. The doctor lanced the abscess and gave me a word catheter. I felt amazing afterwards. It hurt to sit, but I could work from home and within a week I was back to normal. Story should end there with a happy ending, right?
Wrong.
Fast forward to a few months later and it's back. I tried the sitz baths, but it did not change. When it got big enough and I started to feel that awful flu-ish feeling, I saw my OB GYN who once again lanced it and inserted a catheter. Went home, did my sitz baths, back to normal in a week...
Fast foward another two months and I feel another one coming on. Once again, I got the catheter. Except this time my OB stated she made a larger incision than before. It hurt extremely bad this time. I cried at the pharmacy waiting for my pain meds and cephalexin. I almost couldn't make the drive home. That night, I got chills and noticed I was bleeding way more than normal. I also developed another high fever. By that time I was a veteran with the word catheter so I knew something was wrong. Me and my husband called local hospitals trying to figure out how to classify "too much blood loss". I toughed it out and tried to sleep through the night. I was sure it was infected and that it was bleeding too much. 3 days of bleeding with chills and fever, puss burst through the catheter, almost as if it had re-burst again after it was lanced. It was a horrible, horrible experience.
Later that winter it came back once again...like clockwork, I swear. This time I had a marsupilaization. The procedure seemed almost TOO good to be true. I felt way better afterwards than when I had the catheters. We even went out to eat that night! This blissful feeling lasted for 3 whole months! I know it seems odd, but when my husband and I were intimate after the incision healed and the stitches dissolved, it was better than it was before this whole mess started!
Too good to be true, you say? You are correct.
Here we are...summertime, a little over a year after my honeymoon disaster. On a holiday weekend I felt it coming back. I went and saw my OB and she said she would lance and insert a catheter. At that point, I finally took control of what I thought should be done and declined the catheter. I requested a lancing instead because at that point - I already know it will come back, so why go through the extra pain of the catheter? She lances it, it got infected (despite the antibiotics) and re-burst again a few days later. Same fever, same pain, no sleeping, etc. I cried once again, but this time not just because it hurt, but because I felt broken. I felt like it had officially taken over my life.
Before I left my OB's office the day I got it lanced again, we talked about a more permanent solution. I mentioned removing the gland entirely (because like you people, I troll the internet looking for all possible solutions to this thing) and she shrugged her shoulders and gave me an uneasy look suggesting that removing the gland was not something she would advise.
The fact that she wouldn't even hear it out made me feel a bit less comfortable with her even though she had been my OB for 14 years! I once again took to google and searched for the BEST gynecological surgeon in my area. I settled on one and set an appointment for a second opinion. My visit with her was borderline inspiring. She was so confident, she expained that I was considered an ideal candidate for the surgery and even went so far as to draw pictures of the actual procedure for me. It sounds weird, I know, but it helped. She sent me on my way and said to call back when I was ready. I called back two months later when I just barely felt another abscess coming on and she put me on the surgery calendar. I met with her the night before and even sat down with the anesthesiologist to get a very clear picture of how everything the next day would run. The surgery went great. I'm 3 weeks post-op and feeling really well. There is still a little pain, but definitely no bleeding. I'm used to healing really quickly so I keep expecting it to not hurt at all, but that is just unrealistic considering a gland was removed from my body.
I'm not going to tell anyone on here to go out and do the surgery. It is up to you.
Below is what did not work for me.
Sitz baths
Tea tree oil
Epsom salts
Silicia
Serrapeptase
Probiotics (these are good for you anyway)
Drawing salves
Massaging the area
Steam/warm compresses
Ice packs
Antibiotics
Calamine lotion
The Bartholin Cyst Miracle e-book
Here is a little procedure cheat-sheet for those who may be unfamiliar:
Lancing - the area is numbed with a topical anesthetic, again with local anesthetic and a small incision is made into the abscess/cyst to allow the built up puss to drain. **soooo gross**
Word Catheter - incision is made similiar to the above, except a small tube with a balloon on the end is inserted into the hole. This allows the hole to remain open and encourages the cyst to continue to drain. My first doctor said the catheter should stay in place for a few days. The internet told me 4 weeks. My second doctor that performed my excision also said it should have stayed in for at least a few weeks.
Marsupilization - incision is made per the above and instead stitched open to allow the hole to remain open. From what I've heard, this has been a permanent solution for some! Not for me, but I definitely preferred it over the catheter.
Gland Excision - exactly that. The entire gland is removed. Recovery time is around 6 weeks, pain is mild, I was also warned that disfigurement is a possibility, but that was not the case for me. Yes, I've looked at it.
It may be too early to tell if my surgery has a good prognosis, however, my doctor did say she was able to remove almost all of the gland. It is important to know that the gland is so small and the area is so vascular, that it can sometimes be difficult for the surgeon to remove the entire mechanism. Understanding how much was removed will help you better figure out your chance for reccurrence.
Well friends, I wish everyone on here the best of luck with this awful condition. It blows my mind that this disorder doesn't get a whole lot of attention considering how life altering it really can be. I leave you with just a few of my mantras for battling this crap: you are not alone, you are not broken, and you are not crazy. Do your research, don't be afraid to get second opinions and do what you feel is best for your body and your well being.
12 likes, 230 replies
jmarie417 megan38992
Posted
Hello Megan,
Thank you for sharing your story! I just had my marsupialization today and in pain but doing ok. My question for you;however, is how did your post-op dr appointment go? What should I expect? I am very sensitive down there and I am scared my gynecologist will hurt me when I go see her, hope she doesn't use the clamp things that are used for papa! She's not very sensitive the last few times she's been down there with my cysts! Hope you can help by answering my question and so happy you are feeling better!
janet68649 jmarie417
Posted
Dont need to be scare, the doctor is only going to check if the marzupalization is healing, and if the hole is open.
Mine closed. To my luck I got one after a year, and its coming everytime after sex or lots of exersice. I got an ultrasound to the gland, and it shows a cyst, my dr. recomend me to get my gland out. I am scare of that. I rather a second marzupalization, i m just very confuse right now.
I hope you do better than me. Good luck.
jmarie417 janet68649
Posted
Hi Janet,
That is what I am afraid of, that I did the marsupialization for nothing! I originally wanted the entire glands out but my gynecologist said I am too young and didn't want me to go through that as its an extensive procedure. Hope this works for me! Good luck to you as well! If you do end up having the gland excision please update is on that.
Thank you!
janet68649 jmarie417
Posted
Funny histories we found out with the dr. In this side.
I was a military wife, when I was in Iowa, my OBGYN didn't give me the option for marzupalization, she went straight for the excision. I was scared, and didn't like her hahaha, but she end up doing the marzupalization to me.
I'm in NC, I am feeling my husband's pressure to do the gland excision but is my decision. My new OBGYM gave some advise as a woman and professional, she didnt recomend excisions, she advise me for a second marzupalization, but I keep waiting and waiting. Marzupalization are done when the cyst is big, mine is getting only to a size of an olive, in memorial day weekend I had it big, but guess what? My dr didn't work that day. I have one right now, it drained it already, but only small.. But you know what? I'm very tired of that, I'm sick, I have no moral and fisical strength, I had enough.
I finally decided to do the excision, I will do it the third week of August, I can't wait to have it done.
Remember only the 10% of woman that have marzupalization will have it again, I will say do not have that risk, because you will be doing same thing I did.... you are young, and dont need to go through this way of pain. I got it about 10 times after marzupalization. In only 2 years.
After all the insicions pkus marzupalization, my vagine is not the same, at least one side is lol.
But really is tender, and sometimes is uncomfortable when having sex.
I wish the best for you. I will tell you how my excision went.
jmarie417 janet68649
Posted
It's funny that you say they won't do the marsupialization unless you have a big cyst. I was told the same thing a few years back but was never able to get it done because by the time I was able to get an apt. with my gynecologist it was too far out and needed to have my cyst drained. This time around my primary care doctor saw the cyst was huge and called a gynecologist to see if she could squeeze me in that same day, luckily she was. I went to see her and she drained it and scheduled for my Marsupialization 3 weeks later, I had no cysts and she did both sides. Both my mom and I were surprised because we had been told it can only be done when there is an actual cyst. I just pray that this works for me because I am in extreme pain and so over these recurring painful cysts!
Praying for you and your excision! Hope all goes well for you! ??
maria34013 janet68649
Posted
Hi Janet68649,
oh man...10 marsupilazationss in 2 years. I'm so sorry you had to go through. Please let us know how the excision goes, I wish you all the best! Good luck!
emily2427 megan38992
Posted
I thought my experience with this horribly awful problem was bad but after reading your story, I see that there a possibility that it could be worse. I'm glad to know that there is help out there to take care of it once and for all. I've been dealing with this for over ten years now. It wasn't until 2014 that I finally went to the ER to get it opened with a scalpel. All the times before I'd just stick out the intense pain and sit in the bath for hours until finally it would open on its own and drain.
Once I got the Dr. to cut it open I automatically felt relief. It was excruciating when the Dr was squeezing all the puss and blood. But I did feel instant relief once he was done. I didn't think it would come back however here I am once again with this stupid thing. It's taken about three days to become unbearable this time so I'll be off to the ER once again. I'm going to ask the Dr what he (or she) suggests to permanently remedy this problem.
Thanks for your support. I'm not alone ;-)
megan38992 emily2427
Posted
emily2427 megan38992
Posted
I just got finished at the ER and she lanced the cyst , removed the abscess and inserted the word catheter which is uncomfortable and I dont how I'm going to be able to keep it in for 4 weeks. It makes it impossible to wear underwear, right? Maybe the Dr inserted mine differently because it is just hanging straight down from where she made the incision. Are there any suggestions about how to clean around the word catheter? I am also on my period right now so this is really fun. It feels so awkward. I'm not sure how I'm going to try and work and resume my normal life with this thing hanging in between my legs. ??
evee81580 megan38992
Posted
Sorry hey Megan okay so I've had a abscess or cyst before but they were just on my thigh never near or in my lady bits before. So this was a new and excruciating pain for me and on top of that I am 34wks pregnant right now I'm 23 years old expecting a healthy baby boy.I went to the hospital hoping that they could Lance it and drain like the one on thigh. They told it was to small or not ready for that or that they wanted to put me on antibiotics to see if it would go away on its own. I think they lied about the size because my be said it was about the size of a half dollar. Well the next day it burst! (So much blood and puss mixed together, it smelled horrible!) I was scared on what to do being I've never been through this before and I'm pregnant and I've have been under a lot of stress this whole pregnancy sadly. And I woke up this morning go there still being a lot of blood and I can't see my ob or even call to make an appointment till Tuesday and I get don't want to have to make another thirty minutes drive to the hospital. So I was wondering if this was normal, because the pain is so much less then it was I've been so relieved since it burst but I am pregnant and I don't know if it's still supposed to be this much blood or if his because it's still draining and has not finished and me having about only six weeks till I give birth I can't bend properly or anything to get a look down there
megan38992 evee81580
Posted
I've actually never had one burst on it's own before. I would think it would be better to be safe than sorry and head to the doctor or hospital when you're able so they can check you out.
Sea_girl_123 evee81580
Posted
HI evee,
Mine has burst twice before...yes that smell is not pleasant in anyway! But the relief is so nice. the first time it just drained and went down (no doctor seen). It did bleed for like a day or two. The second time it burst, I went to the doctor. He just gave me antibiotics and told me to apply ice for about 15mins three times a day for a few days. My suggestion is to keep taking the antibiotics if you are still on them until you see the doctor. But the bleeding is normal for a couple days. It gets less with time though. If it doesn't then I would push seeing the doctor. Good luck! And congratulations with your baby boy!
janet68649 evee81580
Posted
Do not worry, just keep the place clean, I don't think you need to see the dr at least you have fever and chills.
I got lots of cyst, the firts 7 cyst, we're like a chicken egg size, but now I m having it small, small like a olive, same as you, Dr didn't Lance it because it was small and not ready, but mine burst that small, and I also notice a difference, sometimes the cyst came more to the outside part, eich is really painful and uncomfortable for walking, but most of the time it's comming more but the inside my vagina, Wichita is less painful and I usually notice I have a cyst when I'm having sex, o when is almost ready to burst.
I had one while pregnant, my dr lance it and drained it. Don't worry about the bleeding, it is normal when it burst, I had one that burst 3 days ago, I'm not pregnant but, with the help of a mirror I squeezed it to help it draine, I bleed for 2 days, but is a mix of blood and puss, later you will notice more redish, but it will stop.
Relax your self, think positive. I hope you feel better soon.
evee81580 Sea_girl_123
Posted
Than you! That makes me feel much better and it's gone done so much the pain is hardly there any more and I tried squeezing it but I'm just getting mild spotting of blood now and I have an appointment made for the 11th and I still have antibiotics to make sure no infection happens. And thanks! He is such a kicker in there right now my be doesn't think I'm going to make it to 40 was I'm 34 now and I have six weeks to go but I'm so huge I'm like a house haha I could barley get down there to clean wipe and squeeze it haha
evee81580 janet68649
Posted
Yeah I was worried on why my Dr was so against lancing it and it's the first one I've ever had in my vagina so being this pregnant I was freaking out let me tell you plus the pain and the er Dr wanted to joke about just wait till you have birth I'm like in pain now! And this pain is currently affecting my ability to do anything litteraly I couldn't even pee without crying
janet68649 evee81580
Posted
Another thing i forgot to mention, when the cyst burst, it takes some days to heal, I am in the 5th day, and still healing, there is not more bleding.
My first kid decided to come when I was 37 week, my due day was for june 26, my doctor say, because It was my first time, it will go to July, but my son come on June 13 lol.
Good luck in everything, you will forget everything when you baby is you.
Take care.