Vaginal Cyst: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Cost

Vaginal Cyst - In biological terms, a cyst means a thin-walled hollow organ or cavity, in an animal or plant that has a liquid or secretion in it. It may be a sac, a vesicle, or a bladder. In medical terms, a cyst is an abnormal lump or growth in the body - a membranous sac or cavity that contains fluid. Our bodies are susceptible to such lumps. These are least expected and happen to anyone at any time. Cysts or lumps are very common. A lump or cyst formed on or under the lining of the vagina is termed as a vaginal cyst.

In most of the cases, there are hardly any symptoms for vaginal cysts. On probing, feeling of a soft lump may be taken as a sign of vaginal cyst. Another vaginal cyst symptom may be a protrusion from the vagina. Discomfort during sex, difficulty in inserting a tampon, pelvic pressure, difficulty while urinating or during defecation are also vaginal cyst signs. A vaginal cyst may be just pea sized or as large as an orange.

Vaginal cysts may be of several types.

• Vaginal Inclusion Cyst

  If the wall of the vagina suffers any injury during the process of childbirth or in the process of surgery like episiotomy or any other, a vaginal inclusion cyst may develop. This is most common among vaginal cysts.

• Gartner Duct vaginal Cyst

  Gartner’s duct or Gartner’s canal or the ductus longitudinalis epoophori is part of human embryonic development for the growth of urogenital organs of both male and female children. In females this duct often remains in the broad ligament of the uterus, lying parallel to the lateral uterine tube, lateral walls of the vagina, and cervix. Later in the life of women, fluid sometimes gets collected in the Gartner’s duct, giving rise to a Gartner duct vaginal cyst.

• Bartholin Cyst or Abscess

  There are glands present on each side of your vagina opening known as Bartholin glands. Fluid or pus build up in one of the se glands leading to the formation of a lump on the gland is termed as Bartholin cyst or abscess

• Endometriosis Vaginal Cysts

  Endometriosis or growth of tissue similar to that lining the uterus starts to grow outside of it. Such tissue growth may appear as small vaginal cysts, although this condition is not very common. This condition may be painful.

• Vaginal Cysts that are really benign vaginal tumours

  Benign vaginal tumours show up as vaginal cysts. This too is not a very common condition.

• Cystoceles or rectoceles appearing as vaginal cysts

  Childbirth often causes the muscles surrounding the vagina to become weak. In such conditions, cystoceles or rectoceles may happen. Cystoceles which is the bladder dropping off from its usual position and pushing onto the wall of the vagina, or rectoceles which is a bulge caused by the front wall of the rectum pushing onto the vaginal wall, both appear as vaginal cysts, although they are not cysts in reality.

• Müllerian Cysts

  When a baby develops it leaves behind some structures in the female system. Vaginal cysts with mucus form randomly on the vaginal walls from such structures. These are known as Müllerian cysts and are another common type of vaginal cyst.

Vaginal cysts may result from following conditions

• Accumulation of Fluid
• Childbirth related Injuries
• Non-Malignant Tumors in the vagina
• Blockage of Glands

In reality, prevention of formation of vaginal cysts is extremely difficult. The focus requires to be on maintaining hygiene of the vagina rather than prevention of cysts therein. Here follows some do’s and don’ts for doing so.

Vaginal cysts are revealed through physical examination of the vagina as they do not generally show any symptoms. Usually there is no pain with vaginal cysts and you only get to know about them when you feel a small lump either on the lips of your vagina or on its walls.

Ideally, a gynaecological examination once a year is a good preventive measure against several complications. Any vaginal cyst will get revealed when your gynaecologist conducts a routine vaginal examination. Any peculiarity will be noticed in the check-up.

Your vaginal cyst may be a stagnant feature or it may choose to grow. A growing cyst may enlarge substantially and become the source of discomfort as it enlarges, despite not being the cause of any pain. You will feel uncomfortable while walking with a tampon or while engaging in sex.

There are possibilities for a vaginal cyst to get infected, especially through infection transmitted while engaged in sex. Infection can also occur from skin bacteria. When an abscess results from infection to the cyst, it often creates excruciating pain with associated discomfort. Infection is quite frequently associated with pus and foul smell in painful vaginal cysts.

It is recommended that you seek immediate appointment with as you realise that vaginal cyst has invaded your privacy. Even more so if there is any pain or sign of infection of the cyst. Your gynaecologist is likely to take you through the following steps and tests as part of his diagnosis:

• Your gynaecologist will review your medical history to know about any vaginal trauma and other details.
• You will be required to go through your symptoms.
• Tests may be conducted for Sexually Transmitted Infections.
• A biopsy may also be prescribed in rare instances if carcinoma is suspected by your doctor.
• A scan or ultrasound could also be done for a clearer view of the cyst and reveal the problems arising of it.
• For cystoceles or rectoceles cyst that are located under the bladder or urethra, the doctor may prescribe x-rays for checking whether the cyst extends into the connected organ.

By themselves vaginal cysts hardly give rise to any complications. Their enlarged size may make you feel some amount of discomfort and some amount of pain during sex or make the insertion of the tampon difficult. Abscess causing infection is the most likely complication to occur from a vaginal cyst. Pus and fluid collection in the abscess causes swelling, redness and pain.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as bacteria from your skin are the main culprits for vaginal cyst infections. Bartholin’s abscess may develop from bacteria like E. coli present in the gut.

Painful vaginal cysts due to an infection may also lead to vaginal cyst bleeding from the accumulated pus and fluid causing the cyst to burst open. The discharge is usually accompanied by a foul smell.

There are no vaginal cyst home remedies for permanent cure. Some home remedies as follows may provide relief from pain, pus etc.

• The vaginal cyst and the area around it to be kept clean at all times.
• To prevent ingress of infection causing bacteria it is recommended that shaving the areas around the cyst is avoided.
• A warm compress around the cyst for about 15 minutes four times a day extracts any pus or fluid that may have formed inside the vaginal cyst.
• You may also apply tea tree oil or other antiseptic solution to the cyst. This also helps prevent any infection while adding to vaginal hygiene.
• A slat bath or sitz bath for about 15 minutes a day repeated about four times has the same effect as a warm compress.

These are not solutions but more by way of precaution and relief. These cannot substitute qualified medical advice and treatment. You may contact Pristyn Care for consulting such qualified medical professionals.

The cyst formation has no particular relation with your diet. However, having a healthy, balanced diet always helps. Include foods rich in fibres, green and coloured vegetables and fruits in your daily diet.

There is no correlation established between your diet and vaginal cyst formation. Having said that, it is always useful to maintain good food habits. Junk food, food high in oils, deep fried items, potato chips and similar products, artificially sweetened candy, pastry etc. are well avoided. Alcohol limitation, doing away with smoking habit all help keep your body free of ill effects of poor diet. Your body systems are likely to remain in better condition and keep you free of several ailments.

Vaginal cyst treatment depends largely on the size, nature and infection. By themselves, small, painless vaginal cysts do not require treatment or tampering. Routine examination for ascertaining the size and keeping a lookout for any changes or infections to the cyst. If infected grown in size to cause discomfort or infected to cause swell, show redness, pus and fluid formation, vaginal cysts require treatment.

Non-surgical treatment of vaginal cysts include treatment using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief, and, use of antibiotics when the cyst gets infected or tests reveal STD infections.

For removal of pus and fluid, surgical draining or marsupialisation procedures are adopted.

• Surgical draining involves insertion of a catheter (a small tube) into the cyst and leaving it there for draining out of the fluid and pus. This drainage may continue for a few weeks until the draining out is complete when the tube is removed and the opening left to heal.
• Marsupialisation is done by surgical opening of the cyst and draining it. The opening of the cyst wall are stitched to create a “pocket” or “pouch” that allows continuous drainage of the fluid and pus in the cyst. This is effective in recurring Bartholin cysts.

Vaginal cyst surgery is recommended for women above 40 who have attained menopause. It is also the best remedy for recurring cysts, enlarged cysts and cysts prone to infections. Pristyn Care has comprehensive and thorough package with full care for vaginal cyst surgery.

Prior to your vaginal cyst surgery, your doctor may order a biopsy by removing a small tissue from your cyst to check for possible cancer.

The entire surgical process is briefly outlined here:

Pre-surgery:

• Keep your doctor informed of all the medicines that you are using and ailments associated with them.
• You are likely to be advised for temporary cessation in the use of several or all of the drugs that you may be taking.
• Depending on your health condition, you may be required to take tests and clearance from your other doctors stating you are fit for surgery.
• It is usually recommended that you stop smoking a few weeks earlier to surgery.
• You may be required to undergo bowel prep the night before your surgery.

Surgery day:

• You are likely to be asked to keep an empty stomach on the day of surgery.
• It is good to take a simple, thorough shower prior to your surgery. However, lotions, deodorants and perfumes are on the “NO” list.
• Do not try to shave your vaginal area by yourself. It is best left to the surgical nursing staff handle it as instructed by the gynaecological surgeon.
• Removal of all jewellery, contact lens, metal etc. on your body may be instructed. It is best you leave them with your friends or relatives prior to being taken for the surgery.
• You may have compression stockings placed on your legs prior to surgery. This prevents your blood from clotting.
• The surgery is likely to proceed keeping you under anaesthesia, usually at the site of the surgery rather than making you completely unconscious. Have no fear, pain is hardly felt.
• Just prior to surgery, a catheter may be inserted into your bladder for monitoring urine content. This gets removed soon after the surgery.

Risks:

• All surgeries have some element of risk involved.
• Excessive bleeding may happen calling for blood transfusion. If you have any objections to the same, make sure you have kept your doctor informed of it earlier.
• Bladder or uterus damage as both are in close proximity to the vagina. If damage does happen perchance, your surgeon will attend and repair such damage during the surgery itself.
• The risk of death in vaginal cyst surgery is minimal.

After the surgery:

• You are usually discharged between 1 to 6 hours after surgery, depending on your rate of recovery.
• You are likely to remain a bit drowsy and ensure you have someone with you on the way home after surgery.
• You are advised to abstain from sex for a minimum period of two weeks after surgery or until your vulva is completely healed.
• Pain and discomfort from vaginal cysts usually go off after surgery. In some instances, multiple surgeries may be required to be completely rid of vaginal cysts.
• No matter how well you may feel, ensure no appointment is missed out with the gynaecologist surgeon.
• If advised medication and asked to restrict to specific diet for a few days, ensure full compliance thereof.

Surgery is the best and mostly a permanent option for uncomfortable vaginal cysts. Surgery is also the best option for large, persistent, and recurring vaginal cysts. You get the best vaginal surgery, care and advice form expert doctors and specialists when you speak to Pristyn Care.

You are discharged within an hour to six hours after vaginal cyst surgery based on your rate of recovery. Unless complications arise, again depending on your own body and health condition, complete recovery may take two weeks or till your vulva is completely cured.

The treatment cost including surgery, care and medication varies between a large range of Rs. 23,000/- and Rs. 1,03,000/- in India, based on the city you live in.

Results of vaginal cyst surgery are permanent in most cases.

Treatment is open to any woman who shows signs of vaginal cysts. Surgery is preferred for infected or large sized or recurring vaginal cysts.

Vaginal cysts that are giving no discomfort nor growing in size are not treated and left undisturbed. Such cysts sometimes go away on their own too.

Post vaginal cyst surgery, you are advised:

• To refrain from sex for a period of two weeks or until complete healing of your vulva.
• To adhere to the medicines prescribed even if you feel healed.
• To follow a diet containing fibres, coloured vegetables and fruits that keep bowel movement healthy. Increased fluid and water intake too is advised.
• To refrain from smoking.
• To avoid heavy work and exercise until cleared by your doctor.
• To adhere to follow-up visit schedules rigourously.

• The side effects of vaginal cyst treatment through surgery include:
• Shortness of breath, chest pains, leg pain and swelling are signals of blood clots forming. You are to seek an appointment with the doctor immediately.
• Pain, swelling, redness, fever, difficulty or pain while urinating, persistent urge to pass urine all indicate infection including urinary tract infection. Seeking medical attention immediately is imperative under this condition.
• Immediate medical attention must be sought if you experience heavy bleeding (soaking up a pad in about an hour or so) or heavy, foul smelling discharge.
• You may be left with a scar at the site of your surgery. There could be some pain or discomfort at the scar for a few days or weeks.

You visit your gynaecologist when you get a vaginal cyst. If you do not know one, seek help from your regular physician. You may get in touch with Pristyn Care and you will be immediately taken care of by being put through to expert doctors specialising in gynaecology and female health upon assessment of your problems.

Vaginal cysts have a very good prognosis. They often continue to remain small and even disappear on their own at times and require no treatment. Surgical removal of vaginal cysts are largely successful and without further recurrence.

Bartholin vaginal cysts have a history of recurrence and need continuous treatment or repeated vaginal cyst surgeries for complete removal.