Vaginal cyst: what it is, symptoms, causes, types and treatment

A vaginal cyst is a small pocket of air, liquid or pus that develops in the lining of the inside of the vagina, caused by minor trauma to the area, accumulation of liquid inside a gland or the development of a tumor, for example.

One of the most common types of vaginal cyst is the cyst that develops in the Bartholin gland, which is responsible for producing the lubricating fluid in the vagina. This type of cyst can usually be seen right at the entrance to the vagina, like a small ball. Find out more about Bartholin’s cyst and how to treat it.

Most cysts in the vagina do not cause any symptoms, but when they grow a lot, they can cause discomfort during intercourse or when using a tampon. If symptoms exist, the gynecologist may recommend minor surgery to remove the cyst and improve symptoms.

Vaginal cyst symptoms

The main symptoms of a vaginal cyst are:

• Lump or ball at the entrance or wall of the vagina;
• Pain or discomfort during intimate contact, walking or sitting;
• Redness, pain or swelling in the region;
• Sensation of increased temperature at the site of the cyst;
• Fever;
• Dor abdominal;
• Exit of pus from the cyst.

In most cases, a vaginal cyst does not cause any symptoms, and symptoms are usually noticed when the cyst is large or becomes infected.

Vaginal cyst symptoms can also indicate other problems in the intimate region and, therefore, if they appear and last more than 3 days, it is important to consult a gynecologist to identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment. See other possible causes of pain during sexual intercourse.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of a vaginal cyst is made by a gynecologist, through the assessment of symptoms and health history, in addition to a gynecological and pelvic examination, which allows the presence of the cyst, size and location to be analyzed.

Make an appointment with the gynecologist in the region closest to you:

In addition, the doctor can perform a pap smear test to assess the presence of sexually transmitted infections that may cause changes to the lining of the vagina, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, for example.

Exams such as transvaginal ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may also be requested, which allow detailed images of the cyst to be obtained.

Another test that the doctor may recommend is a biopsy of the cyst, to rule out the possibility of vaginal cancer. Understand how a biopsy is performed.

Possible causes

The most common cause of a vaginal cyst is the blockage of a gland or duct, resulting in the accumulation of fluids inside and the formation of a lump, as in the case of a Bartholin cyst or sebaceous cyst.

Furthermore, the cyst in the vagina can also arise due to trauma to the vaginal wall during childbirth, for example, as with Gartner’s cyst or Muller’s cyst.

Another cause of vaginal cysts are sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, for example. See the main STIs.

Read too: Lump or ball in the vagina: what it could be (and how to treat it)

Is a vaginal cyst contagious?

Most vaginal cysts are not contagious. However, if the cyst was caused by a sexually transmitted infection, the cyst is contagious.

Types of vaginal cyst

There are different types of vaginal cyst, which vary depending on the affected part. So, the main types include:

• Vaginal inclusion cyst: it is the most common type that usually arises due to trauma to the vaginal wall that can occur during childbirth or due to surgery, for example;
• Bartholin’s cyst: is a cyst that appears at the entrance to the vagina due to inflammation and accumulation of fluid inside one or more Bartholin glands, which produce lubricant;
• Cisto de Gartner: generally, it appears on the wall of the vagina and is caused by the accumulation of fluid inside a canal that, in most women, disappears after birth;
• Sebaceous cyst: This type of cyst develops when the sebaceous glands, which produce oil on the outside of the vagina, become obstructed, leading to the formation of a lump filled with a whitish-yellow fatty substance.

Furthermore, another type of vaginal cyst is the Müllerian cyst, which forms in the Mullerian ducts, due to remains of material during the development of the fetus, which should disappear after birth, but which remains until adulthood in some women. .

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment normally indicated for vaginal cysts is medical monitoring, to assess the growth of the cyst, as in most cases it is small and does not cause symptoms, disappearing on its own, without requiring treatment.

However, when the cyst is large or there are symptoms, the gynecologist may recommend surgery to drain the fluid inside the cyst.

In rarer cases, the cyst may also develop an infection and, in this situation, the gynecologist may recommend an antibiotic to treat the infection before surgery, for example.

Possible complications

There are generally no complications for a vaginal cyst, as they remain small without growing much. However, if they grow, they can cause pain or discomfort, especially during intimate intercourse or when you need to use a tampon.